Average
#6155 of 8,547 schools in TX
Dr Javier Saenz Middle
Middle School · LA JOYA ISD
39200 MILE 7 RD, Penitas, TX 78576
Enrollment
594
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
594
Student-Teacher
11.9:1
Score
5.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Penitas
#1 of 4
public schools
Texas middle schools
#1,293 of 1,693
In district
#10 of 36
LA JOYA ISD
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Dr Javier Saenz Middle
Dr Javier Saenz Middle serves 594 students in grades 6-8 in Penitas, Texas, operating with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.9:1 and 50 full-time equivalent teachers. This public middle school has earned recognition for its performance, achieving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking in the 90th percentile statewide at #834 out of 8,598 Texas schools. The school serves a community where families face significant economic challenges, with a median household income of $39,956 and a poverty rate of 46.8%.
Despite these socioeconomic hurdles, Dr Javier Saenz Middle has distinguished itself academically among Texas middle schools. The surrounding ZIP code of 78576 is home to 13,466 residents, with median home values around $98,900 and only 5% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school's strong performance relative to other Texas schools suggests dedicated educators and effective programs that help students succeed despite community-wide economic constraints.
Located on Mile 7 Road, Dr Javier Saenz Middle sits in a rural setting near the town of Penitas in Hidalgo County, serving families in this close-knit South Texas community along the Rio Grande Valley.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Dr Javier Saenz Middle 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Dr Javier Saenz Middle — Students at Dr Javier Saenz Middle score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
99.7%
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: 4.3/10.
How Dr Javier Saenz Middle Compares
See how Dr Javier Saenz Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 10% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 19% (2021).
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 6.2/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby La Joya), which scores slightly higher. Another option is LORENZO DE ZAVALA MIDDLE (rated 4.8/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby La Joya), with a comparable rating. Additionally, JUAN DE DIOS SALINAS MIDDLE (rated 3.9/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Mission), a more accessible option. 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 | 4.8 |
| CORINA PENA EL Penitas | 3.2 mi | 4.2 |
| JUAREZ-LINCOLN H S Mission | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| JUAN SEGUIN EL Mission | 3.6 mi | 4.6 |
| DR MARIA PALMIRA MENDIOLA EL Mission | 4.5 mi | 3.8 |
| EVANGELINA GARZA EL Mission | 4.8 mi | 4.0 |
| THELMA ROSA SALINAS STEM EARLY COLLEGE H S La Joya | 5.9 mi | 7.4 |
| LA JOYA H S La Joya | 6.0 mi | 6.6 |
| ELODIA R CHAPA EL Mission | 5.6 mi | 3.7 |
| LORENZO DE ZAVALA MIDDLE La Joya | 6.1 mi | 4.8 |
| JOHN F KENNEDY EL Penitas | 6.1 mi | 4.8 |
| IDEA LA JOYA COLLEGE PREPARATORY La Joya | 6.2 mi | 6.2 |
| IDEA LA JOYA ACADEMY La Joya | 6.2 mi | 4.2 |
| JIMMY CARTER EARLY COLLEGE H S La Joya | 6.2 mi | 7.3 |
| HOPE ACADEMY La Joya | 6.4 mi | 7.5 |
| HENRY B GONZALEZ EL Mission | 6.4 mi | 4.5 |
| TABASCO EL La Joya | 6.6 mi | 4.1 |
| JUAN DE DIOS SALINAS MIDDLE Mission | 6.2 mi | 3.9 |
| NARCISO CAVAZOS Mission | 6.5 mi | 5.4 |
| DR AMERICO PAREDES EL Mission | 6.5 mi | 5.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dr Javier Saenz Middle has a median household income of $48,205. It is a community where 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,600, with a median rent of $629/month. The area has a poverty rate of 40.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BRENTWOOD MIDDLE San Antonio, TX | 5.3 |
| DAVIS MIDDLE San Antonio, TX | 5.3 |
| DECKER MIDDLE Manor, TX | 5.3 |
| IDEA SPEARS COLLEGE PREPARATORY Houston, TX | 5.3 |
| JACKSON MIDDLE San Antonio, TX | 5.3 |
| KLENTZMAN INT Houston, TX | 5.3 |
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 is ranked #6155 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Dr Javier Saenz Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Dr Javier Saenz Middle has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Dr Javier Saenz Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dr Javier Saenz Middle has 24.5% math proficiency and 21.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,192/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Penitas). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (956) 323-2830
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LA JOYA ISD- District Enrollment
- 23,998
- Schools in District
- 37
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,592
- District Rank
- #10 of 36
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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