Summary:
This analysis examines six middle schools serving grades 6-8 in the 78586 zip code (San Benito, TX), which are spread across three school districts: South Texas Independent School District (Isd), San Benito Consolidated Independent School District, and Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District.
The standout schools in this area are the two magnet academies. South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy is the top overall performer, earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 91st percentile statewide with consistently excellent test scores. Collegiate Academy is a rising star within the San Benito district, jumping to a 5-star rating and the 93rd percentile, with exceptional 6th-grade reading and math scores that rival the top school. In contrast, the three traditional San Benito schools—Berta Cabaza Middle, San Benito Riverside Middle, and Miller Jordan Middle—are the lowest-performing, consistently ranking in the bottom 30% of Texas middle schools. Liberty Memorial Middle from Los Fresnos CISD sits in the middle, with a consistent 3-star rating and better 8th-grade math scores than the San Benito schools.
A key takeaway is that the two magnet schools achieve high performance despite having significant poverty rates, breaking the trend seen in the traditional San Benito schools where high poverty correlates with low scores. The data also shows that higher spending per student does not guarantee success, as Berta Cabaza Middle has the second-highest spending but is a low performer. For parents, the clear choice for top academic performance is the magnet academies, while the traditional San Benito schools present significant challenges. Liberty Memorial Middle offers a solid middle-ground option.
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