Very Good
#2148 of 8,552 schools in TX
Top 25% in state
Vela Middle
Middle School · BROWNSVILLE ISD
4905 PAREDES LINE RD, Brownsville, TX 78521
Enrollment
601
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
601
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brownsville
#22 of 66
public schools
Texas middle schools
#437 of 1,693
In district
#13 of 51
BROWNSVILLE ISD
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Vela Middle
VELA MIDDLE is a regular public middle school in Brownsville, Texas, catering to students in Grades 6 through 8. With an enrollment of 601 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1, the school provides personalized attention and support for its diverse student body. The dedicated faculty consists of 47 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to ensure that each student receives individualized guidance.
VELA MIDDLE's academic performance is currently rated at 3.9 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 24th percentile among Texas schools with a state ranking of #6496 out of 8598 schools. In terms of proficiency scores, 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 36% in Math, indicating areas where there is room for academic growth. The school is situated in the heart of a mid-size city, offering students access to various community resources and opportunities.
VELA MIDDLE thrives within its urban setting, fostering an environment that encourages learning and development among its middle schoolers.
What Parents Should Know
The chronic absenteeism rate at Vela Middle is 33%, which is above the national average. Chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of school days) can affect classroom dynamics and pacing. Parents should ask about the school's attendance support programs and what resources are available to help families address barriers to consistent attendance.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Vela Middle — Students at Vela Middle score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.1/10.
How Vela Middle Compares
See how Vela Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 89% (2009) to 45% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 90% (2009) to 65% (2024).
Location
4905 PAREDES LINE RD, Brownsville, TX 78521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vela Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. PROMESA COLLEGE PREP BROWNSVILLE (rated 8.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HUDSON EL (rated 8.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PAREDES EL (rated 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Brownsville, see our Brownsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BURNS EL Brownsville | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| PROMESA COLLEGE PREP BROWNSVILLE Brownsville | 0.4 mi | 8.7 |
| IDEA BROWNSVILLE COLLEGE PREPARATORY Brownsville | 0.5 mi | 7.7 |
| IDEA BROWNSVILLE ACADEMY Brownsville | 0.5 mi | 4.1 |
| PAREDES EL Brownsville | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| GALLEGOS EL Brownsville | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| BREEDEN EL Brownsville | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| JUBILEE BROWNSVILLE San Antonio | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| JUBILEE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY San Antonio | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL OF INNOVATION - BROWNSVILLE Brownsville | 1.5 mi | 8.0 |
| HUDSON EL Brownsville | 2.1 mi | 8.6 |
| BENAVIDES EL Brownsville | 2.2 mi | 8.2 |
| IDEA SPORTS PARK COLLEGE PREPARATORY Brownsville | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| IDEA SPORTS PARK ACADEMY Brownsville | 2.5 mi | 7.7 |
| PULLAM EL Brownsville | 2.4 mi | 8.1 |
| HANNA EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
| PREMIER H S OF BROWNSVILLE Lewisville | 2.7 mi | 3.2 |
| KENMONT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Brownsville | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD CORAM DEO CLASSICAL ACADEMY Brownsville | 2.9 mi | — |
| IDEA ROBINDALE COLLEGE PREPARATORY Brownsville | 2.8 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,276
Median Home Value
$90,500
Median Rent
$864/mo
Population
87,860
College Educated
14.8%
Homeownership
59.4%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
30.6%
Median Age
31.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Vela Middle has a median household income of $41,276. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $90,500, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CANYON INT Canyon, TX | 7.6 |
| CELE MIDDLE Pflugerville, TX | 7.6 |
| CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE Mission, TX | 7.6 |
| DEEPWATER J H Pasadena, TX | 7.6 |
| ELIAS LONGORIA SR MIDDLE Edinburg, TX | 7.6 |
| GILMER INT Gilmer, TX | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vela Middle
What grades does Vela Middle serve?
Vela Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Vela Middle?
Vela Middle has an enrollment of approximately 601 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vela Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Vela Middle is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vela Middle rank in TX?
Vela Middle is ranked #2148 out of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Vela Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Vela Middle has a composite rating of 7.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Vela Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vela Middle has 58.5% math proficiency and 63.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Vela Middle a charter school?
No, Vela Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Vela Middle a Title I school?
No, Vela Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vela Middle?
81.5% of students at Vela Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 601
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Cameron County
- Chronic Absenteeism
- 33.4%
- Phone
- (956) 548-7770
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BROWNSVILLE ISD- District Enrollment
- 37,065
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,041
- District Rank
- #13 of 51
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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