Summary:
In zip code 78003, there is one middle school, Bandera Middle, serving grades 6 through 8 with 534 students in the Bandera area as part of the Bandera Independent School District (Isd).
Bandera Middle presents a mixed picture of performance. On the positive side, the school excels in advanced coursework, with 95.45% of students proficient in Algebra I and 100% proficient in Biology, far exceeding state averages. The school also boasts a perfect 0.0% dropout rate and has improved its state ranking from the 49th percentile to the 55th percentile, earning a 3-star rating. However, the school struggles significantly in general education, particularly with a "7th Grade Math Slump" where only 17.14% of students are proficient, roughly half the state average. Reading scores across all grades also fall below state averages, while 6th and 8th grade math scores exceed them. The school serves a student body where 47.94% are economically disadvantaged, and it maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 with per-student spending of $9,193.
The key takeaway for parents is that Bandera Middle is a school of extremes: it provides exceptional opportunities for advanced learners in math and science while facing clear challenges in supporting its general education students, especially in 7th-grade math. The improving state ranking suggests positive momentum, but targeted intervention in core subjects like reading and 7th-grade math is critical. The school's efficient use of resources and perfect dropout rate are strong points, but parents should be aware of the significant gap between advanced and general education performance when evaluating the school for their child.
Thank you for your feedback!