Summary:
This analysis examines four middle schools in zip code 78537 (Donna, TX), serving grades 6-8 within the Donna Independent School District (Isd), a district with a 2-star rating, where over 91% of students are economically disadvantaged.
A P Solis Middle is the standout school, achieving a 3-star rating and ranking in the 65th percentile, far outperforming its peers. It consistently posts the highest proficiency rates in reading and math, with 8th-grade scores (64% reading, 65% math) dramatically higher than other schools. In contrast, Dora M Sauceda Middle is the most challenged, with the lowest ranking (31st percentile) and lowest test scores despite having the highest per-student spending ($12,059) and lowest student-teacher ratio (11.2). Veterans Middle and W A Todd Middle both hold 2-star ratings, ranking in the 40th and 46th percentiles respectively, with similar academic performance.
A striking finding is the universal excellence in Algebra I, where three of four schools achieved a 100% proficiency rate on the End-of-Course exam, dramatically exceeding the district (34%) and state (47%) averages. This suggests the accelerated math program is a significant strength. Social Studies is a consistent weakness, with only A P Solis Middle exceeding the state average. Despite academic challenges, all schools maintain very low dropout rates (0.0% to 0.6%), all below the district average of 0.8%, showing they effectively keep students enrolled through 8th grade. The key takeaway is that A P Solis Middle achieves significantly better results with a similar demographic profile, making it a critical case study for the district.
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