Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 76502

This analysis examines three middle schools (Grades 6-8) in zip code 76502, serving the Temple, TX area, split between the Belton Independent School District (Isd) and the Temple Independent School District (Isd).

Lake Belton Middle is the clear standout, earning a 4-star state ranking (76th percentile) and consistently outperforming its peers and state averages in nearly every academic subject. It has the lowest percentage of economically disadvantaged students (26.15% free/reduced lunch) and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.4. In contrast, Bonham Middle faces the most challenges, with the highest poverty rate (67.15%) and a 1-star district ranking, yet it achieves a remarkable 97.14% proficiency in Algebra I—exceeding even Lake Belton's 94.89% and far above the state average of 54.03%. North Belton Middle is the largest school (979 students) and serves as a solid middle performer, generally meeting district averages but lagging behind Lake Belton. A key finding is that 8th-grade math scores are universally low across all schools, likely because top math students take the Algebra I End-of-Course exam instead, creating an inverse relationship where high Algebra I scores correspond to lower 8th-grade STAAR math results.

Spending per student is nearly identical across all three schools ($10,316-$10,854), yet academic outcomes vary dramatically, suggesting factors like socioeconomic demographics and school culture are primary performance drivers. The two Belton ISD schools significantly outperform the Temple ISD school in most standard grade-level subjects, highlighting a clear disparity between the districts serving the same zip code. For parents, Lake Belton Middle offers the strongest overall academic environment, while Bonham Middle demonstrates exceptional advanced math programming despite broader challenges.