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Finley J H

Q: Is Finley J H a good school?

Finley J H ranks 1602 nd of 2335 Texas middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

1602^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,335 Texas Middle Schools

Better than 31% of Texas middle schools

Summary

Finley J H is a middle school in Waxahachie, TX, serving 839 students in grades 6-8 as part of the Waxahachie Independent School District (Isd), and it has recently experienced a sharp decline in state rankings, dropping from a historically solid average performance to the 31st percentile.

This school is currently at a crossroads. While it has a history of being an average performer, the most recent data shows a significant drop in core subjects like Math and Social Studies, where proficiency rates are well below both district and state averages. For example, 6th-grade math proficiency at Finley J H is 22.74%, compared to the district's 33.74% and the state's 38.57%. This decline is particularly striking when compared to its nearly identical neighbor, Coleman J H, which is only a mile away and has remained a stable, higher-performing school in the same district. The performance gap suggests school-specific factors like leadership or teaching staff may be at play, rather than district-wide issues.

Despite these challenges, Finley J H has notable strengths. It excels in advanced coursework, with students taking Algebra I and Biology achieving exceptionally high scores—including a perfect 100% proficiency rate in Biology. This creates a "two-speed" school where advanced students thrive, even as the general student body struggles. Additionally, the school maintains a very low dropout rate of 0.3%, indicating it is effective at keeping students engaged. For parents, this means Finley J H offers a strong honors track and a supportive environment, but families should be aware of the recent decline in core academic performance and consider how the school's resources align with their child's needs.

839

Students ?

14.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$7,992

Per pupil spending ?

49.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2401 E Brown St
Waxahachie, TX 75165-5118

(972) 923-4680

District: Waxahachie Independent School District (Isd)

Students who attend Finley J H usually attend:

High:

Waxahachie High School

Feeder schools for Finley J H:

Elementary:	Dunaway Elementary
	Northside Elementary
	Wedgeworth Elementary

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

42.1%

White:

35.5%

African American:

17.3%

See top rated Texas middle schools

Compare Finley J H to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 50th percentile in 2016 → 31st in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Texas average (37% vs 50% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 19 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school37%

District avg45%

Texas avg50%

1,602^nd of 2,335

Texas public middle schools ?

Bottom 31%▼ down 19 pts since 2016

From top 50% (2016) to bottom 31% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Texas Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 3Middle Schools in the Waxahachie Independent School District (Isd)

538^th of 951Waxahachie Independent School District (Isd) among Texas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	33.8	1602 of 2335	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	46.1	1190 of 2344	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.0	1243 of 2372	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	55.0	937 of 2330	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	59.0	753 of 2254	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2021	59.4	751 of 2252	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.7	899 of 2193	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	44.8	1088 of 2080	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2017	46.8	975 of 2027	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2016	52.9	994 of 1987	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2015	49.6	1100 of 2043	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2014	59.9	784 of 1987	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2013	58.8	807 of 1973	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2012	56.3	857 of 1951	56.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	61.0	755 of 1895	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	65.6	555 of 1803	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2009	55.5	878 of 1763	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2008	53.9	875 of 1718	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2007	51.5	926 of 1684	45.0%	★★☆☆☆
2006	53.1	826 of 1585	47.9%	★★☆☆☆
2005	47.6	929 of 1582	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2004	54.6	795 of 1573	49.5%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	39.5	755 of 1295	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	50.6	427 of 997	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.7	509 of 1280	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	57.8	433 of 1273	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	56.2	404 of 1251	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.9	457 of 1213	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	43.5	614 of 1193	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	24.6	960 of 1167	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	48.6	929 of 2182	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	60.7	543 of 2118	74.4%	★★★★☆
2019	56.0	657 of 2058	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	47.3	902 of 2008	55.1%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	46.2	659 of 1390	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	43.9	733 of 1428	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	35.4	1150 of 1770	35.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	48.7	761 of 1720	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	41.7	896 of 1643	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	71.1	214 of 1592	86.6%	★★★★☆
2019	48.3	614 of 1445	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	45.3	604 of 1376	56.1%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	32.7	1591 of 2240	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	50.2	828 of 1825	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	48.5	1059 of 2242	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	55.3	888 of 2241	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.2	856 of 2221	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	53.2	893 of 2151	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.6	873 of 2047	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	47.5	1009 of 2008	49.8%	★★☆☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	51.9	899 of 1497	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	51.0	751 of 1230	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	64.4	595 of 1481	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.1	755 of 1488	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	61.0	683 of 1501	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	58.5	712 of 1446	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	60.9	626 of 1430	56.2%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	34.2	1512 of 2141	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	40.2	1032 of 1731	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	36.8	1367 of 2119	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	52.1	894 of 2116	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.3	717 of 2077	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	66.1	484 of 2043	76.3%	★★★★☆
2019	56.3	696 of 1935	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	47.6	883 of 1895	53.4%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	30.1	1724 of 2253	23.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	38.6	1129 of 1820	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	32.3	1626 of 2235	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	49.7	1045 of 2251	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	47.1	1082 of 2220	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	59.3	676 of 2172	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	47.5	1030 of 2073	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	43.3	1131 of 2039	44.5%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	34.5	1534 of 2253	31.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	40.0	1060 of 1818	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.3	1342 of 2246	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	53.6	937 of 2245	58.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	60.3	728 of 2228	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	65.0	579 of 2168	73.3%	★★★★☆
2019	49.7	901 of 2069	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	40.6	1171 of 2030	42.3%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	44.6	448 of 806	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	52.9	299 of 676	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	70.4	177 of 818	78.4%	★★★★☆
2023	51.4	372 of 817	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	56.0	314 of 813	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	63.1	208 of 743	72.0%	★★★★☆
2019	52.5	332 of 753	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	22.9	608 of 720	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	29.5	1558 of 1956	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	45.3	804 of 1568	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.8	1154 of 1891	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	59.5	441 of 1815	75.7%	★★★★☆
2022	59.1	432 of 1757	75.4%	★★★★☆
2021	55.7	488 of 1712	71.5%	★★★★☆
2019	38.6	946 of 1626	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	46.2	684 of 1597	57.2%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	24.5	1466 of 1731	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	42.2	869 of 1439	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.2	1084 of 1733	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	53.1	777 of 1749	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	54.2	739 of 1723	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	45.5	926 of 1700	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	42.5	992 of 1684	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	42.5	958 of 1673	42.7%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

At Risk (2022)57th percentile-9 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)53rd percentile+21 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)44th percentile+13 vs school

African American (2026)42nd percentile+10 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)40th percentile+9 vs school

Male (2026)32nd percentile~ school

Hispanic (2026)29th percentile~ school

Female (2026)29th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)23rd percentile-8 vs school

Special Education (2026)20th percentile-11 vs school

White (2026)15th percentile-16 vs school

By subject vs Texas (2025-2026) ?

Biology100%+29 vs state

Algebra I54%~ state avg

Reading48%-7 vs state

Mathematics31%-9 vs state

Social Studies13%-19 vs state

5.0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, April 24, 2014

The teachers are very caring and helpful. I love the principal. The band program is second to none.
I am extremely satisfied with WISD and love this school. Thank you Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, April 24, 2014

Wonderful school! My child is very happy and so am I. Close Quote

Schools Near Finley J H

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				STAAR EOC Algebra I (2026)	STAAR EOC Biology (2026)	STAAR Reading (2026)				STAAR Mathematics (2026)				STAAR Social Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	STAAR EOC Algebra I End of Course	STAAR EOC Biology End of Course	STAAR Reading 5th Grade	STAAR Reading 6th Grade	STAAR Reading 7th Grade	STAAR Reading 8th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 5th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 6th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 7th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 8th Grade	STAAR Social Studies 8th Grade	Total
Finley J H	Public	6-8	2401 E Brown St	Waxahachie	75165	Ellis County	Waxahachie Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 923-4680	839	58	14.4	49.9%	298 (35.5%)	145 (17.3%)	353 (42.1%)	9 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (4.1%)	33.8	1602^nd of 2335 public middle schools	31.4%		46.1	1190^th of 2344 public middle schools	49.2%	412	54.0	100.0		48.3	46.9	49.0		22.7	18.6	42.5	12.9	$7,992
Coleman J H	Public	6-8	1000 Hwy 77 N	Waxahachie	75165	Ellis County	Waxahachie Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 923-4790	775	56	13.7	47.4%	289 (37.3%)	134 (17.3%)	305 (39.4%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (5.5%)	54.8	897^th of 2335 public middle schools	61.6%		57.3	868^th of 2344 public middle schools	63.0%	29	90.4	100.0		49.6	52.7	58.3		41.5	25.2	60.5	28.5	$8,895
Howard J H	Public	6-8	265 Broadhead Rd	Waxahachie	75165	Ellis County	Waxahachie Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 923-4771	918	55	16.6	50.2%	281 (30.6%)	228 (24.8%)	355 (38.7%)	5 (0.5%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	45 (4.9%)	45.3	1201^st of 2335 public middle schools	48.6%		41.7	1338^th of 2344 public middle schools	42.9%	137	96.9	90.9		47.7	45.1	54.5		37.5	21.1	55.0	24.9	$7,794
Ellis County Jjaep	Public	6	2272 Fm 878	Waxahachie	75165	Ellis County	Palmer Independent School District (Isd)	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(972) 449-3389	1	0			1 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Life Middle Waxahachie	Public, Charter	7-8	3295 N Us Hwy 77	Waxahachie	75165	Ellis County	Life School	Yes	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 937-0715	551	36	15.3	60.4%	63 (11.4%)	239 (43.4%)	225 (40.8%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (3.8%)	52.4	971^st of 2335 public middle schools	58.4%		54.4	935^th of 2344 public middle schools	60.1%	36	93.4				57.5	72.6			25.1	38.8	21.0	$8,907
Red Oak Middle	Public	6-8	152 Louise Ritter Blvd	Red Oak	75154	Ellis County	Red Oak Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	No	(972) 617-0066	1,488	87	17.1	62.7%	242 (16.3%)	586 (39.4%)	581 (39.0%)	16 (1.1%)	4 (0.3%)	2 (0.1%)	57 (3.8%)	34.7	1575^th of 2335 public middle schools	32.5%		36.3	1517^th of 2344 public middle schools	35.3%	58	77.4			42.9	44.2	48.6		33.5	3.7	31.6	33.5	$8,422
Palmer Middle	Public	5-8	118 F M 813	Palmer	75152	Ellis County	Palmer Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 449-3319	423	28	15.0	53.9%	206 (48.7%)	7 (1.7%)	196 (46.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.3%)	68.8	533^rd of 2335 public middle schools	77.2%		60.5	787^th of 2344 public middle schools	66.4%	254	100.0		60.0	66.7	64.3	74.3	51.1	38.6	20.7	76.3	26.6	$8,345
Walnut Grove Middle	Public	6-8	990 N Walnut Grove Rd	Midlothian	76065	Ellis County	Midlothian Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	No	(469) 856-5700	1,012	51	19.6	16.3%	622 (61.5%)	118 (11.7%)	206 (20.4%)	5 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	5 (0.5%)	55 (5.4%)	80.5	314^th of 2335 public middle schools	86.6%		79.4	339^th of 2344 public middle schools	85.5%	25	92.1			72.7	69.1	77.3		61.5	28.4	64.5	40.5	$6,651
Earl & Marthalu Dieterich Middle	Public	6-8	2881 Ledgestone Ln	Midlothian	76065	Ellis County	Midlothian Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	No	(469) 856-5800	989	53	18.8	19.6%	581 (58.7%)	132 (13.3%)	214 (21.6%)	12 (1.2%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	47 (4.8%)	75.5	399^th of 2335 public middle schools	82.9%		75.3	423^rd of 2344 public middle schools	82.0%	24	96.1			63.6	60.7	68.6		55.7	32.0	67.1	44.1	$6,595
Frank Seale Middle	Public	6-8	700 George Hopper Rd	Midlothian	76065	Ellis County	Midlothian Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(469) 856-5600	726	42	17.1	53.3%	258 (35.5%)	166 (22.9%)	252 (34.7%)	6 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (5.8%)	44.1	1240^th of 2335 public middle schools	46.9%		52	1014^th of 2344 public middle schools	56.7%	226	94.7			49.8	47.7	42.9		47.8	20.4	43.1	27.6	$8,409

Frequently Asked Questions about Finley J H

How many students attend Finley J H?

In the 2024-25 school year, 839 students attended Finley J H.

Is Finley J H a good school?

Finley J H ranks 1602^nd of 2335 Texas middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What high school do graduates of Finley J H attend?

Students who attend Finley J H usually go on to attend Waxahachie High School

What is the racial makeup of Finley J H?

Students at Finley J H are 42% Hispanic, 36% White, 17% African American, 4% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

What district is Finley J H in?

Waxahachie Independent School District (Isd)

Rate Finley J H!

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Latest Texas data All new data »

2025–26 STAAR, STAAR EOC & STAAR Spanish test scoresJun 12, 2026

2021–22 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 10, 2026

2023–24 dropout rates & graduation ratesSep 17, 2025

2024–25 STAAR EOC & STAAR Spanish test scoresJun 23, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Texas Education Agency.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.