Summary:
This analysis examines nine elementary schools in the 79701 zip code of Midland, Texas, serving grades PK through 6 (with one school extending to 8th grade), and reveals a deeply divided educational landscape within the Midland Independent School District (Isd) and the Midland Academy Charter School district.
The standout school is Carver Center, a magnet school ranking in the top 1% of Texas elementary schools with a perfect 5-star rating, achieving over 95% proficiency in Reading and Math. In contrast, four schools—Ralph Bunche Elementary, De Zavala Elementary, South Elementary, and Lamar Elementary—rank in the bottom 6-22% of the state, with proficiency rates often 15-30 points below state averages. James Bowie Fine Arts Academy is a strong 4-star performer in the top 11%, while General Tommy Franks Elementary and Midland Academy Charter School are solid 3-star schools. Sam Houston Collegiate Preparatory Elementary is a mid-tier 3-star school despite having the highest per-student spending at $16,056.
Key takeaways include that higher spending does not guarantee success—Carver Center spends just $9,125 per student while outperforming schools spending over $10,000. Science is a universal weakness, with 5th Grade Science proficiency at struggling schools falling to single digits (4-9%). The magnet school effect is powerful, as both Carver Center and James Bowie Fine Arts Academy demonstrate exceptional results with specialized programs and lower student-teacher ratios. For parents, this zip code offers a wide range of options, from elite magnet schools to struggling neighborhood schools, making school choice critical for educational outcomes.
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