Summary:
This analysis examines two middle schools in Killeen, TX (zip code 76542), Charles E Patterson Middle and Liberty Hill Middle, both part of the Killeen Independent School District (Isd), serving grades 6-8.
Charles E Patterson Middle is the more stable and higher-performing school overall, holding a 2-star rating for three consecutive years and showing an upward trend in its state ranking, from the 42nd percentile to the 31st percentile. It has a lower percentage of economically disadvantaged students (57.1%) and a slightly better student-teacher ratio (15.5:1). In contrast, Liberty Hill Middle has experienced a sharp decline, dropping from the 39th percentile to the 20th percentile, driven largely by a steep drop in 8th-grade math proficiency. However, Liberty Hill boasts an exceptional Algebra I program, with 86.89% of students proficient compared to 66.15% at Patterson and 54.03% statewide, suggesting a strong focus on advanced math acceleration despite struggles in the general curriculum.
Both schools share notable weaknesses, particularly in Social Studies, where scores are well below the state average, and both have very low dropout rates (0.5% at Patterson and 0.2% at Liberty Hill) compared to the district average of 2.1%. Interestingly, Liberty Hill spends slightly more per student ($8,973 vs. $8,824) but achieves lower overall results, indicating funds may be concentrated in its standout Algebra I program. For parents, Charles E Patterson Middle offers more consistent academic performance, while Liberty Hill Middle provides a unique strength in advanced math but faces broader challenges in core subjects.
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