Average
#3630 of 8,552 schools in TX
Top 42% in state
Dr Javier Saenz Middle
Middle School · LA JOYA ISD
39200 MILE 7 RD, Penitas, TX 78576
Enrollment
594
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
594
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
6.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#3,630 of 8,552
In Penitas
#2 of 4
public schools
In district
#23 of 36
LA JOYA ISD
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Very Good
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Dr Javier Saenz Middle
Middle School in Penitas · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
William J Clinton EL
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Corina Pena EL
3.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Dr Javier Saenz Middle
Dr Javier Saenz Middle is a public middle school in Penitas, TX, part of LA JOYA ISD. Dr Javier Saenz Middle serves approximately 594 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Dr Javier Saenz Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #3,630 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for Dr Javier Saenz Middle show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- District avg 7.6
- TX avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Dr Javier Saenz Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
46% of students at Dr Javier Saenz Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dr Javier Saenz Middle — Students at Dr Javier Saenz Middle score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
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: 7.4/10.
How Dr Javier Saenz Middle Compares
See how Dr Javier Saenz Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
39200 MILE 7 RD, Penitas, TX 78576
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Dr Javier Saenz Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. IDEA LA JOYA COLLEGE PREPARATORY (rated 7.7/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby La Joya), which scores slightly higher. Another option is LORENZO DE ZAVALA MIDDLE (rated 7.6/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby La Joya), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, JUAN DE DIOS SALINAS MIDDLE (rated 7.4/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Mission), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Penitas, see our Penitas schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM J CLINTON EL Penitas | 0.2 mi | 7.9 |
| CORINA PENA EL Penitas | 3.2 mi | 5.9 |
| JUAREZ-LINCOLN H S Mission | 3.1 mi | 5.1 |
| JUAN SEGUIN EL Mission | 3.6 mi | 5.4 |
| DR MARIA PALMIRA MENDIOLA EL Mission | 4.5 mi | 6.1 |
| EVANGELINA GARZA EL Mission | 4.8 mi | 6.0 |
| THELMA ROSA SALINAS STEM EARLY COLLEGE H S La Joya | 5.9 mi | 9.4 |
| LA JOYA H S La Joya | 6.0 mi | 6.0 |
| ELODIA R CHAPA EL Mission | 5.6 mi | 7.4 |
| LORENZO DE ZAVALA MIDDLE La Joya | 6.1 mi | 7.6 |
| JOHN F KENNEDY EL Penitas | 6.1 mi | 6.6 |
| IDEA LA JOYA COLLEGE PREPARATORY La Joya | 6.2 mi | 7.7 |
| IDEA LA JOYA ACADEMY La Joya | 6.2 mi | 3.9 |
| JIMMY CARTER EARLY COLLEGE H S La Joya | 6.2 mi | 9.0 |
| HOPE ACADEMY La Joya | 6.4 mi | 5.7 |
| HENRY B GONZALEZ EL Mission | 6.4 mi | 7.3 |
| TABASCO EL La Joya | 6.6 mi | 8.2 |
| JUAN DE DIOS SALINAS MIDDLE Mission | 6.2 mi | 7.4 |
| NARCISO CAVAZOS Mission | 6.5 mi | 6.2 |
| DR AMERICO PAREDES EL Mission | 6.5 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78576 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,205
Median Home Value
$116,600
Median Rent
$629/mo
Population
13,902
College Educated
6%
Homeownership
81.1%
Poverty Rate
40.4%
Median Age
20.8
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ATLANTA MIDDLE Atlanta, TX | 6.8 |
| BERRY MIDDLE Mesquite, TX | 6.8 |
| BOLES J H Arlington, TX | 6.8 |
| CADDO MILLS INT Caddo Mills, TX | 6.8 |
| EDISON MIDDLE Houston, TX | 6.8 |
| ELAINE S SCHLATHER INT Cibolo, TX | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Dr Javier Saenz Middle
What grades does Dr Javier Saenz Middle serve?
Dr Javier Saenz Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Dr Javier Saenz Middle?
Dr Javier Saenz Middle has an enrollment of approximately 594 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Dr Javier Saenz Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Dr Javier Saenz Middle is 11.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Dr Javier Saenz Middle rank in TX?
Dr Javier Saenz Middle ranks #3,630 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Dr Javier Saenz Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Dr Javier Saenz Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Dr Javier Saenz Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Dr Javier Saenz Middle has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 43% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Dr Javier Saenz Middle a charter school?
No, Dr Javier Saenz Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Dr Javier Saenz Middle a Title I school?
No, Dr Javier Saenz Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dr Javier Saenz Middle?
99.7% of students at Dr Javier Saenz 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 594
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 99.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Hidalgo County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 45.6%
- Phone
- (956) 323-2830
Resources & Links
District
LA JOYA ISD- District Enrollment
- 23,998
- Schools in District
- 37
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,592
- District Rank
- #23 of 36
Other Schools in This District
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