Average
#4556 of 8,547 schools in TX
Cathey Middle
Middle School · MCALLEN ISD
1800 N CYNTHIA, Mcallen, TX 78501
Enrollment
829
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
829
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mcallen
#17 of 37
public schools
Texas middle schools
#936 of 1,693
In district
#17 of 30
MCALLEN ISD
Academic performance
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Cathey Middle
Cathey Middle serves grades 6–8 in McAllen, Texas, with an enrollment of 829 students. The school operates with a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, supported by 52 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a mid-size city, Cathey Middle sits at 1800 N Cynthia.
Academically, the school is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects. In mathematics, 58% of students score at proficient levels or above, while in English language arts, 54% meet proficiency benchmarks. The school's overall academic score of 7.4/10 reflects areas with room for growth, and it ranks in the 46th percentile among Texas schools.
This positioning suggests that while the school faces academic challenges, there are meaningful opportunities for improvement and student development. Cathey Middle's mid-size city location provides a community setting where families can engage with neighborhood resources and school initiatives. For parents researching middle schools in the McAllen area, Cathey Middle represents a school in transition, where educational support and focused efforts on core academic skills are central to the school's mission.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cathey Middle — Students at Cathey Middle score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 3.6/10.
How Cathey Middle Compares
See how Cathey Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69% (2019) to 46% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 47% (2021).
Location
1800 N CYNTHIA, Mcallen, TX 78501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cathey Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MILAM EL (rated 9.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MEMORIAL H S (rated 8.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ACHIEVE EARLY COLLEGE H S (rated 8.9/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mcallen, see our Mcallen schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mcallen | 0.4 mi | 6.9 |
| MEMORIAL H S Mcallen | 0.6 mi | 8.9 |
| JACKSON EL Mcallen | 0.7 mi | 4.0 |
| ST JOHNS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL Mcallen | 0.9 mi | 6.1 |
| LAMAR ACADEMY Mcallen | 1.0 mi | 6.1 |
| WILSON EL Mcallen | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| FIELDS EL Mcallen | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| HORIZON MONTESSORI - STEM ACADEMY Mcallen | 1.5 mi | 6.7 |
| DANIEL RAMIREZ EL Pharr | 1.5 mi | 4.1 |
| MILAM EL Mcallen | 1.6 mi | 9.0 |
| MCALLEN H S Mcallen | 1.7 mi | 8.8 |
| TRAVIS MIDDLE Mcallen | 1.8 mi | 6.3 |
| TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-MCALLEN Mcallen | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| ALLEN & WILLIAM ARNOLD EL Pharr | 1.8 mi | 2.7 |
| AIDA C ESCOBAR EL Pharr | 2.1 mi | 4.1 |
| QUEST COLLEGIATE ACADEMY-MCALLEN Lewisville | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| KIDS VILLAGE MONTESSORI LRNNG Mcallen | 2.2 mi | — |
| SOUTHWEST KEY PROGRAM Mcallen | 2.2 mi | — |
| ACHIEVE EARLY COLLEGE H S Mcallen | 2.2 mi | 8.9 |
| ALVAREZ EL Mcallen | 2.3 mi | 3.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,451
Median Home Value
$149,000
Median Rent
$943/mo
Population
59,095
College Educated
26.6%
Homeownership
50.2%
Avg Commute
18.8 min
Poverty Rate
25.3%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cathey Middle has a median household income of $49,451. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,000, with a median rent of $943/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| ARMSTRONG MIDDLE Plano, TX | 6.2 |
| BARNETT J H Arlington, TX | 6.2 |
| BLOCKER MIDDLE Texas City, TX | 6.2 |
| BOBBY SHAW MIDDLE Pasadena, TX | 6.2 |
| BOHLS MIDDLE Pflugerville, TX | 6.2 |
| BROOKS WESTER MIDDLE Mansfield, TX | 6.2 |
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 is ranked #4556 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Cathey Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Cathey Middle has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Cathey Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cathey Middle has 57.5% math proficiency and 54.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,992/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mcallen). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 829
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Hidalgo County
- Phone
- (956) 971-4300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MCALLEN ISD- District Enrollment
- 20,095
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,409
- District Rank
- #17 of 30
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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