Summary:
In zip code 79904 in El Paso, Texas, there are two middle schools serving grades 6-8: Magoffin Middle and Canyon Hills Middle, both part of the El Paso Independent School District (ISD).
Canyon Hills Middle stands out as the higher-performing school overall, ranking in the 40th percentile (2 stars) compared to Magoffin Middle's 11th percentile (1 star). Canyon Hills consistently outperforms Magoffin in core subjects like 8th Grade Reading (57.36% vs. 40%) and 8th Grade Math (41.03% vs. 18.97%), and it meets or exceeds the district average in several areas. However, there is a notable "Algebra I Paradox": Magoffin actually surpasses Canyon Hills in Algebra I End-of-Course exams (50.99% vs. 43.1%), suggesting a stronger advanced math program for its top students. Both schools share a puzzling "zero percent" proficiency rate in 7th Grade Math, a severe and persistent issue that may indicate a curriculum gap or data problem.
Despite Magoffin's lower test scores, it has a lower dropout rate (1.4%) than Canyon Hills (2.1%) and the district average (1.8%), showing it may be more effective at retaining students. Magoffin also serves a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (92.79% vs. 81.86%) and spends more per student ($10,406 vs. $9,937), yet its academic outcomes are significantly lower, suggesting the additional funding is not translating into proportional gains. A bright spot for Magoffin is 8th Grade Science, where it outperformed both the district and state averages in 2024-2025. For parents, Canyon Hills offers stronger overall academics and a higher state ranking, while Magoffin shows strengths in advanced math and student retention.
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