Refugio J H

Refugio J H is a small middle school in Refugio, TX, serving 134 students in grades 6-8 as part of the Refugio Independent School District (Isd), which ranks in the bottom third of Texas districts.

This school presents a fascinating paradox in math education. While 8th graders taking Algebra I achieve exceptional results—with 92% scoring proficient in 2025-2026, nearly double the state average—the same school struggles profoundly with foundational math in earlier grades. Only 15% of 6th graders and 14.7% of 7th graders met proficiency standards, compared to state averages of 39% and 29% respectively. This suggests the school excels at accelerating a select group of students into advanced coursework while leaving the majority behind in standard math. Social studies is another significant weakness, with just 12% of 8th graders proficient versus 32% statewide. The school benefits from an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1 and above-average per-pupil spending ($12,991), yet overall academic outcomes place it in the bottom quartile of Texas middle schools.

With only 134 students, the school's performance is highly volatile—a single cohort of 40-50 students can dramatically swing metrics from year to year. The school's statewide rank has fluctuated from the 48th percentile in 2022-2023 to the 25th percentile in 2025-2026. There are no other schools within 20 miles for comparison, making this the sole middle school option in the area. The primary challenge for Refugio J H is translating the remarkable success seen in its Algebra I program into systemic improvement across all grade levels and subjects, ensuring that the small class sizes and significant resources benefit every student, not just those in advanced courses.