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Excellent

#915 of 8,547 schools in TX

Top 11% in state

Ballinger J H

Middle School · BALLINGER ISD

P O BOX 231, Ballinger, TX 76821

Enrollment

180

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

8.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ballinger

#2 of 3

public schools

Texas middle schools

#173 of 1,693

In district

#2 of 3

BALLINGER ISD

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Ballinger J H

Ballinger Junior High serves 180 students in grades 6-8 in this remote rural Texas community in Runnels County. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 9.5:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention than many larger schools can provide. The school has earned strong recognition statewide, ranking #189 out of 8,598 Texas schools and placing in the 98th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10.

This exceptional ranking reflects the school's commitment to middle school education in a smaller, more intimate setting where students and teachers can build meaningful relationships. The surrounding community of zip code 76821 is home to 4,436 residents with a median household income of $60,924 and median home values around $89,500, making it an affordable area for families. About 20% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 10.1%, indicating a stable community foundation.

As a regular public middle school, Ballinger Junior High provides students with a traditional educational experience during these crucial transitional years. The school operates in Ballinger's remote rural setting, where students benefit from the close-knit community atmosphere that smaller Texas towns are known for fostering.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 180 students, Ballinger J H is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Ballinger J H offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Ballinger J H may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics5.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected-5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,462

Ballinger J H — Students at Ballinger J H score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 30.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
29%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
37%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Ballinger J H Compares

See how Ballinger J H performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
89th percentile in TX
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

P O BOX 231, Ballinger, TX 76821

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ballinger J H may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. VERIBEST EL (rated 9.8/10, 25.2 miles away, in nearby Veribest), which scores notably higher. Another option is BALLINGER H S (rated 8.3/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, BRONTE ISD (rated 8.1/10, 21.1 miles away, in nearby Bronte), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ballinger, see our Ballinger schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.2 mi
School Distance Rating
BALLINGER H S Ballinger 0.1 mi 8.3
BALLINGER EL Ballinger 0.8 mi 7.6
OLFEN SCHOOL Rowena 9.8 mi 7.1
VERIBEST SPECIAL PROGRAMS Rowena 9.8 mi
WALL SPECIAL PROGRAMS Rowena 9.8 mi
FAIRVIEW SPECIAL PROGRAMS Rowena 9.8 mi
WINTERS J H Winters 14.8 mi 7.1
WINTERS H S Winters 14.9 mi 6.4
WINTERS EL Winters 14.9 mi 7.2
VERIBEST PPCD Eden 17.3 mi
PAINT ROCK SCHOOL Paint Rock 17.3 mi 6.2
MILES H S Miles 16.0 mi 7.8
MILES EL Miles 16.0 mi 7.6
FAIRVIEW ACCELERATED Miles 16.0 mi
BRONTE ISD Bronte 21.1 mi 8.1
VERIBEST PPCD Christoval 25.2 mi
VERIBEST PPCD Paint Rock 25.2 mi
VERIBEST SPECIAL PROGRAMS Veribest 25.2 mi
VERIBEST EL Veribest 25.2 mi 9.8
VERIBEST H S Veribest 25.2 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 76821 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,250

Median Home Value

$104,200

Median Rent

$940/mo

Population

4,572

College Educated

20.2%

Homeownership

73.9%

Poverty Rate

9.3%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ballinger J H has a median household income of $65,250. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $104,200, with a median rent of $940/month. The local poverty rate of 9.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
POOLVILLE J H Poolville, TX 8.1
AXTELL MIDDLE SCHOOL Axtell, TX 8.0
HONEY GROVE MIDDLE Honey Grove, TX 8.2
ITASCA MIDDLE Itasca, TX 8.0
JIM NED MIDDLE Tuscola, TX 8.0
NEW DEAL MIDDLE New Deal, TX 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ballinger J H

What grades does Ballinger J H serve?

Ballinger J H serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Ballinger J H?

Ballinger J H has an enrollment of approximately 180 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballinger J H?

The student-teacher ratio at Ballinger J H is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ballinger J H rank in TX?

Ballinger J H is ranked #915 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Ballinger J H's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballinger J H has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Ballinger J H?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ballinger J H has 30.5% math proficiency and 36.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ballinger J H a charter school?

No, Ballinger J H is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ballinger J H a Title I school?

No, Ballinger J H is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballinger J H?

59.4% of students at Ballinger J H 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (785/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ballinger). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
180
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Runnels County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BALLINGER ISD
District Enrollment
799
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,952
District Rank
#2 of 3

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

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