Summary:
In zip code 77018, there is one middle school, Black Middle, serving grades 6-8 within the Houston Independent School District (Isd), a large school with 1,364 students that presents a fascinating mix of exceptional strengths and significant challenges.
Black Middle is a standout for its advanced academic programs, with Algebra I and Biology proficiency rates (85.27% and 97.75% respectively) dramatically exceeding both district and state averages by over 30 percentage points. This indicates a highly effective program for top-performing students. However, the school faces a critical issue in 7th-grade math, where only 6.58% of students were proficient in the most recent year—a sharp drop from the previous year and far below the district average of 25.71%. Reading remains a consistent strength across all grades, with proficiency rates outperforming both HISD and Texas averages. The school's overall state ranking has improved for three consecutive years, reaching the 74th percentile (4 stars), though a high dropout rate of 7.1% (nearly double the district average) is a major concern that contrasts with its advanced course success.
For parents, Black Middle offers a "two-schools" experience: excellent opportunities for students ready for high school-level coursework, but significant struggles in core 7th-grade math that require immediate attention. The school's spending per student ($8,483) is below the national average, and 56.3% of students are economically disadvantaged. While the positive trajectory in state rankings is encouraging, the math crisis and high dropout rate suggest the school may be excelling with its top tier while failing to support a substantial portion of its student body. Parents should investigate the 7th-grade math program and dropout prevention efforts when considering this school.
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