Summary:
In zip code 78377, there is a single middle school, Refugio J H, serving grades 6 through 8 with 134 students in the Refugio Independent School District (Isd).
Refugio J H presents a mixed picture for parents. On the positive side, the school boasts an excellent student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, meaning very small class sizes, and has a 0% dropout rate. However, academic performance is inconsistent and often below state averages. The most dramatic example is in Algebra I, where 8th grade proficiency soared to 92.31% in 2025-2026, a huge jump from just 30% the year prior, suggesting a very selective group of advanced students. Mathematics is a critical weakness across all grades, with 6th and 7th grade proficiency rates (15% and 14.71% respectively) far below state averages. Social Studies is a persistent low point, with only 12% of 8th graders proficient in 2025-2026. Reading performance is more volatile, with 7th graders exceeding the state average at 59.52% proficient, but 6th graders dropping sharply to 22.5%.
Despite high per-student spending ($12,991) and small classes, the school has ranked in the bottom third of Texas middle schools for three consecutive years, currently at the 25th percentile. Because Refugio J H is the only middle school in the district, its performance directly reflects the entire district's. The core challenge appears to be instructional effectiveness, particularly in math and social studies, rather than a lack of resources. Parents should be aware of these significant subject-area weaknesses while also noting the potential for high achievement in specific areas like advanced math.
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