Summary:
This analysis examines three middle schools (grades 6-8) in the 78749 zip code of Austin, Texas, all part of the Austin Independent School District (Isd), serving a total of about 3,190 students with a clear spectrum of performance and demographics.
Gorzycki Middle is the standout school, consistently ranking in the top 5% of Texas middle schools with a 5-star rating. Its reading proficiency (84.2%) and Algebra I proficiency (94.3%) far exceed district averages, and it has a very low free/reduced lunch rate (7.59%). Small Middle is a strong performer, ranking in the top 12% with a 4-star rating and solid test scores above district norms. Covington Middle is the lowest-performing school, ranking in the 60th percentile with a 3-star rating, and has the highest free/reduced lunch rate (52.37%), highest dropout rate (2.3%), and highest spending per student ($11,664).
Key metrics reveal a stark divide: Gorzycki and Small are large schools (1,305 and 1,253 students), while Covington is half the size (632). All three schools achieve exceptionally high Algebra I proficiency (94-99%), far above the district average (51.8%), suggesting only advanced students take the course. Covington spends the most per student but has the lowest outcomes, highlighting that higher spending addresses greater student needs. Performance is remarkably stable over three years, with Gorzycki, Small, and Covington consistently earning 5, 4, and 3 stars respectively. The dropout rate disparity is notable, with Covington's rate (2.3%) over ten times higher than Gorzycki's (0.2%), indicating different levels of student engagement and support across these schools.
Thank you for your feedback!