Summary:
In zip code 79118 (Amarillo, TX), there are two middle schools serving grades 5 through 8, both part of the highly-rated Canyon Independent School District (Isd).
Randall J H stands out as the exceptional school in this area, particularly for its advanced math program. The school achieves a remarkable 98.84% proficiency rate in Algebra I, nearly double the district average and far exceeding the state average. This success creates a unique "Algebra I effect" where the most capable 8th-grade math students take advanced coursework, leaving a less prepared group in standard 8th-grade math (59.01% proficient) and contributing to a critically low 7th-grade math score of just 19%. In contrast, Pinnacle Intermediate serves as a steady, reliable school for 5th and 6th graders, with consistent scores near or above state averages. Pinnacle showed clear year-over-year improvement from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026 in most subjects, including a 6.62% gain in 5th-grade math and a 6.57% gain in 5th-grade reading.
Both schools serve similar socioeconomic profiles, with about 40-42% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The district itself ranks in the 80th percentile statewide, providing strong support systems. Key metrics show Pinnacle has a slightly better student-teacher ratio (16.1 vs. 17.2), while Randall J H excels in science with 66.55% proficiency in 8th-grade science, outperforming both district and state averages. The natural feeder pattern from Pinnacle (grades 5-6) to Randall J H (grades 7-8) creates a clear academic progression, though spending data is only available for Pinnacle ($7,748 per student), making direct resource comparisons impossible.
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