Summary:
Zip code 77026 in Houston is home to two middle schools, Key Middle and Fleming Middle, both part of the Houston Independent School District (Isd), serving grades 6-8 in a high-poverty area where over 96% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Key Middle is the stronger performer overall, ranking in the 34th percentile statewide with a clear upward trend over the past three years. It consistently outperforms Fleming Middle in reading and math across all grade levels, with 8th-grade math proficiency (54%) exceeding both district and state averages. Fleming Middle, ranking in the 16th percentile, struggles significantly, with 7th-grade math proficiency dropping to just 10.71% in 2024-2025. Despite these challenges, both schools share a remarkable strength: Algebra I proficiency is outstanding, with Key Middle achieving 91.67% and Fleming Middle 71.43%, both well above the district (57.63%) and state (54.03%) averages. This suggests advanced math programs for 8th graders are a bright spot even as general math performance lags.
An interesting finding is that Fleming Middle spends $1,556 more per student ($12,282 vs. $10,726) yet has lower test scores and a declining state ranking, indicating that higher spending alone does not guarantee better outcomes. Both schools have similar student-teacher ratios (around 13:1) and dropout rates near the district average (3.8%). A universal weakness is 8th-grade social studies, where both schools score critically low (Key: 17.52%, Fleming: 15.05%) compared to the state average of 31.69%. The 7th-grade math crisis is also notable, with Fleming Middle’s proficiency plummeting from 30.69% in 6th grade to just 10.71% in 7th, signaling a systemic issue with the curriculum transition that parents should be aware of.
Thank you for your feedback!