Tidehaven Intermediate

Tidehaven Intermediate in El Maton, TX, is a public school serving 219 students in grades 6-8 within the rural Tidehaven Independent School District (Isd), and it has transformed from a mid-ranked school a decade ago into a high-performing institution that consistently earns a 4-star rating.

This school stands out dramatically from nearby schools like Van Vleck Junior High School and Bay City J H, which are located 12-17 miles away. Tidehaven ranks in the 83rd percentile statewide, while its neighbors rank in the 31st and 26th percentiles, respectively. In reading, Tidehaven’s proficiency rates (64-76%) are dramatically higher than Bay City (35-48%) and Van Vleck (46-56%). In math, the gap is even wider: 6th-grade proficiency is 49.3% at Tidehaven versus just 20.3% at Bay City and 20.7% at Van Vleck. The school also excels in advanced coursework, with 88.2% of students taking Algebra I passing the End-of-Course exam, far exceeding the state average of 54%. A lower student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1 (compared to 15.4:1 at Van Vleck and 19.7:1 at Bay City) allows for more personalized attention, which is a key factor in its success.

Remarkably, Tidehaven achieves these results while spending less per student ($10,701) than its peers, indicating highly efficient resource use. The school is especially effective with students from low socio-economic backgrounds (62-67% qualify for free/reduced lunch), ranking in the 88th-94th percentile for this subgroup, and its Gifted and Talented program ranks in the 99th percentile. However, 8th-grade science scores have been a relative weak point, hovering near the state average, and the school’s performance with African American students (ranking in the 8th percentile) is a significant area that warrants attention to ensure all students benefit equally from its effective practices.