Very Good
#1884 of 8,552 schools in TX
Top 22% in state
Cathey Middle
Middle School · Mcallen ISD · Mcallen, TX
A Mcallen ISD middle school where students score 17 points above what's typical for similar communities.
1800 N CYNTHIA, Mcallen, TX 78501
- Math 56% vs TX 44% (2024)
- Reading 65% vs TX 54% (2024)
- 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Cathey Middle score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
2024 STAAR proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. TX average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 16-year record (2009–2024), then recovered 14 points since 2020, reaching 61% in 2024.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 74% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 74% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
71.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Cathey Middle sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 40Car-Dependent
- Bike 40Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High1,992/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Mcallen), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$49,451
Median home value
$149,000
Median rent
$943/mo
College educated
26.6%
Homeownership
50.2%
Poverty rate
25.3%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 78501; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 7.8 | 6–8 | 1.8 mi | 486 | Compare → |
| Lyndon B Johnson MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 7.7 | 6–8 | 2.5 mi | 971 | Compare → |
| De Leon MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 7.5 | 6–8 | 2.9 mi | 721 | Compare → |
| Liberty MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 8.3 | 6–8 | 3.3 mi | 795 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Mcallen ISD
- Schools in district
- 31
- Rank in district
- #15 of 30
- District spending per student
- $13,409NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 31.0%Census SAIPE · 2024
Cathey Middle is listed in MCALLEN ISD; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Cathey Middle
Cathey Middle is a public middle school in Mcallen, TX, part of Mcallen ISD, serving approximately 829 students in grades 6th-8th with a 15.9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,884 of 8,552 schools in TX. State assessment records show 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Cathey Middle
What grades does Cathey Middle serve?
Cathey Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Cathey Middle?
Cathey Middle has an enrollment of approximately 829 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cathey Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Cathey Middle is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cathey Middle rank in TX?
Cathey Middle ranks #1,884 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Cathey Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Cathey Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Cathey Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cathey Middle has 74% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Cathey Middle a charter school?
No, Cathey Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cathey Middle a Title I school?
No, Cathey Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cathey Middle?
71.9% of students at Cathey 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 829
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Hidalgo County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 22.4%
- Phone
- (956) 971-4300
- Area population (ZIP 78501)
- 59,095
- Area average commute
- 18.8 min
- Area median age
- 36.8
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 STAAR · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 STAAR. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 STAAR · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 STAAR. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 78501; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Austin, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Dallas, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Fort Worth, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.