Summary:
In zip code 79045 (Hereford, TX), there are two middle schools serving grades 6 through 8 within the Hereford Independent School District (Isd), a district ranked in the 25th percentile statewide that serves a high-poverty population with over 78% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
Hereford Preparatory Academy (Grade 8 only, 322 students) is the standout school, driven by exceptional Algebra I performance: 96.43% of 8th graders scored proficient in 2024-2025, more than double the state average of 47.01%, and 88% in 2025-2026. This has fueled a dramatic state ranking jump from the 12th percentile to the 39th percentile (2 stars). In contrast, Hereford J H (Grades 6-7, 534 students) remains stagnant at a 1-star rating, with only 5.14% of 7th graders proficient in math in 2025-2026—far below the state average of 29.41%. This creates a stark "feeder pattern" where students leave Hereford J H with very low math skills but show dramatic improvement at the Prep Academy, suggesting effective 8th-grade instruction or strategic placement of strong math students into Algebra I.
Reading is a persistent weakness across both schools: Hereford J H's 6th and 7th-grade reading proficiency hovers around 30-32% (state average ~54%), while Hereford Preparatory Academy's 8th-grade reading (48.41%) remains below the state average of 58.69%. Social Studies is a critical area for improvement at the Prep Academy, with only 23.11% proficient in 2025-2026. Notably, Hereford J H spends slightly more per student ($9,950 vs. $9,675) but achieves worse outcomes, indicating that funding allocation and instructional effectiveness—not just spending—are key issues. The district's core challenge is building a strong foundation in grades 6-7 to sustain the success seen in 8th-grade math.
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