Skip to main content

Very Good

#3196 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 37% in state

Perkins Middle

Middle School · BROWNSVILLE ISD

4750 AUSTIN RD, Brownsville, TX 78521

Enrollment

494

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

7.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Brownsville

#35 of 66

public schools

Texas middle schools

#660 of 1,693

In district

#24 of 51

BROWNSVILLE ISD

Equity

8.0 / 10

Very strong

About Perkins Middle

Perkins Middle School serves 494 students in grades 6-8 in Brownsville, Texas, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking #257 out of 8,598 Texas schools, Perkins places in the 97th percentile statewide—a remarkable achievement that reflects the dedication of its 44 full-time equivalent teachers and staff. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1, allowing for more personalized attention and support for each student.

This smaller class environment can be particularly beneficial during the crucial middle school years when students are developing both academically and socially. Perkins Middle serves a diverse community where families demonstrate strong commitment to education despite economic challenges. The surrounding 78521 ZIP code area has a median household income of $38,633 and a median home value of $84,300, with 31.3% of residents facing poverty.

While only 14% of neighborhood adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school's outstanding performance suggests it's successfully supporting students in overcoming socioeconomic barriers. Located on Austin Road in this mid-size border city of Cameron County, Perkins Middle stands as a beacon of educational excellence in a hardworking community where families prioritize their children's academic success.

What Parents Should Know

The chronic absenteeism rate at Perkins Middle is 32%, 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 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.74 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55%
Math vs. State Avg-10.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.7 pts
Overall Proficiency44%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected+10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment8.0Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,041
Chronic Absenteeism32%

Perkins Middle — Students at Perkins Middle score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 51.7%
School
State
43.6%
ELA Proficiency 54.9%
School
State
54.3%

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
81%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
81%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
73%
ELA
79%
2012
Math
63%
ELA
63%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
64%
2014
Math
63%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
69%
ELA
70%
2016
Math
71%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
33%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
38%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
38%
2020*
Math
11%
ELA
18%
2021*
Math
11%
ELA
18%
2022
Math
29.2%
ELA
42.2%
2024
Math
33%
ELA
55%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Perkins Middle Compares

See how Perkins Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
63th percentile in TX
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year
32.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

4750 AUSTIN RD, Brownsville, TX 78521

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Perkins Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. IDEA ROBINDALE COLLEGE PREPARATORY (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is OLIVEIRA MIDDLE (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, LUCIO MIDDLE (rated 7.0/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Brownsville, see our Brownsville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
CHAMPION EL Brownsville 0.7 mi 5.7
GONZALEZ EL Brownsville 0.7 mi 7.2
IDEA ROBINDALE COLLEGE PREPARATORY Brownsville 1.3 mi 8.1
IDEA ROBINDALE ACADEMY Brownsville 1.3 mi 7.7
GARCIA MIDDLE Brownsville 1.5 mi 6.2
OLIVEIRA MIDDLE Brownsville 1.5 mi 7.2
MORNINGSIDE EL Brownsville 1.8 mi 4.2
EGLY EL Brownsville 1.6 mi 6.8
PENA EL Brownsville 1.8 mi 7.3
DEL CASTILLO EL Brownsville 1.9 mi 4.4
VERMILLION ROAD EL Brownsville 1.8 mi 6.9
EL JARDIN EL Brownsville 1.9 mi 6.8
LUCIO MIDDLE Brownsville 1.9 mi 7.0
CROMACK EL Brownsville 2.0 mi 3.8
RIVERA EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville 2.0 mi 5.9
CASTANEDA EL Brownsville 2.1 mi 6.5
PORTER EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville 2.0 mi 6.8
HUDSON EL Brownsville 2.2 mi 8.6
HANNA EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville 2.2 mi 7.0
SOUTHMOST EL Brownsville 2.5 mi 7.0

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 Perkins 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
BOB HOPE SCHOOL Port Arthur, TX 7.0
CANTON J H Canton, TX 7.0
COLLEGE STATION MIDDLE College Station, TX 7.0
CYPRESS GROVE INT College Station, TX 7.0
DIBOLL J H Diboll, TX 7.0
GRAHAM J H Graham, TX 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Perkins Middle

What grades does Perkins Middle serve?

Perkins Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Perkins Middle?

Perkins Middle has an enrollment of approximately 494 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Perkins Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Perkins Middle is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Perkins Middle rank in TX?

Perkins Middle is ranked #3196 out of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Perkins Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Perkins Middle has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Perkins Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Perkins Middle has 51.7% math proficiency and 54.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Perkins Middle a charter school?

No, Perkins Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Perkins Middle a Title I school?

No, Perkins Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Perkins Middle?

96.6% of students at Perkins 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
494
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Cameron County
Chronic Absenteeism
32.0%
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BROWNSVILLE ISD
District Enrollment
37,065
Schools in District
56
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,041
District Rank
#24 of 51

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.