Summary:
Zip code 75215 in Dallas, Texas, is home to two middle schools serving grades 6-8: Billy Earl Dade Middle, a large public school in the Dallas Independent School District (Isd), and St. Anthony School, a smaller private Catholic institution.
When comparing the two, St. Anthony School stands out for its stronger overall academic performance and a perfect 0.0% dropout rate. It holds a 3-star state rating and ranks in the 54th percentile, significantly outperforming Billy Earl Dade Middle, which has a 1-star rating and ranks in the 11th percentile. For example, in 8th-grade reading, 66.67% of St. Anthony students were proficient versus 35.27% at Dade. However, St. Anthony has a notable weakness in math, with proficiency rates below 7% in some grades. Conversely, Billy Earl Dade Middle shows a surprising strength in Algebra I, where 75% of students were proficient, far exceeding district and state averages. Despite spending $2,754 more per student, Dade struggles with a 4.0% dropout rate and declining state rankings.
Key takeaways for parents include the stark contrast in school environments: St. Anthony School offers a smaller, community-focused setting with strong reading and social studies outcomes, while Billy Earl Dade Middle serves a much larger population and excels in advanced math but faces systemic challenges. Both schools serve high percentages of economically disadvantaged students, with 99.17% at Dade and 87.93% at St. Anthony qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The data suggests that school size and structure play a significant role in outcomes, with St. Anthony providing more consistent academic support despite lower per-student spending.
Thank you for your feedback!