Skip to main content

Average

#3595 of 8,547 schools in TX

Top 42% in state

E Merle Smith Middle

Middle School · SINTON ISD

P O BOX 1337, Sinton, TX 78387

Enrollment

384

Student-Teacher

9.6:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sinton

#1 of 4

public schools

Texas middle schools

#715 of 1,693

In district

#1 of 4

SINTON ISD

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About E Merle Smith Middle

E Merle Smith Middle serves 384 students in grades 6-8 in Sinton, Texas, earning a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks #1355 out of 8,598 Texas schools, placing it in the 84th percentile statewide — a notable achievement that reflects the dedication of its 40 full-time equivalent teachers and excellent student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1. This smaller class size allows for more individualized attention, which can be particularly beneficial during the critical middle school years when students are developing foundational academic and social skills.

The school's strong state ranking suggests that students are receiving quality instruction and support as they prepare for high school. E Merle Smith Middle sits in the heart of San Patricio County, serving a community where the median household income is $47,951 and median home value is $103,900. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 9,148, with about 12% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 29.4%.

The school operates as a regular public middle school in this close-knit town setting, where families value education and community connections in preparing their children for future academic success.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, E Merle Smith Middle 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-4.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-6.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,559

E Merle Smith Middle — Students at E Merle Smith Middle score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 34.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
33%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How E Merle Smith Middle Compares

See how E Merle Smith Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in TX
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers

Location

P O BOX 1337, Sinton, TX 78387

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering E Merle Smith Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. RICARDO L TREVINO J H (rated 7.9/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Taft), which scores notably higher. Another option is TULOSO-MIDWAY MIDDLE (rated 7.4/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Corpus Christi), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ODEM J H (rated 6.7/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Odem), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sinton, see our Sinton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.1 mi
School Distance Rating
JUVENILE DETENTION CTR Sinton 0.4 mi
SINTON EL Sinton 1.1 mi 6.2
WELDER EL Sinton 1.5 mi 5.8
SINTON H S Sinton 1.6 mi 4.7
ODEM INT Odem 6.9 mi 4.6
ODEM H S Odem 6.9 mi 7.8
ODEM J H Odem 6.9 mi 6.7
ODEM EL Odem 6.9 mi 6.8
WOODROE PETTY EL Taft 8.1 mi 7.3
TAFT H S Taft 8.4 mi 6.5
RICARDO L TREVINO J H Taft 8.8 mi 7.9
COASTAL HORIZONS ACADEMY Stephenville 9.0 mi 5.6
TULOSO-MIDWAY PRI Corpus Christi 13.1 mi 6.3
GRACE TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Corpus Christi 13.1 mi
CALALLEN MIDDLE Corpus Christi 13.0 mi 6.5
TULOSO-MIDWAY MIDDLE Corpus Christi 13.7 mi 7.4
WILMA MAGEE INT Corpus Christi 13.2 mi 6.7
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Corpus Christi 13.8 mi 7.8
CALALLEN EAST EL Corpus Christi 13.7 mi 3.6
TULOSO-MIDWAY H S Corpus Christi 14.1 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78387 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,000

Median Home Value

$122,400

Median Rent

$918/mo

Population

9,604

College Educated

11.3%

Homeownership

61.5%

Avg Commute

25.1 min

Poverty Rate

23.4%

Median Age

35.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding E Merle Smith Middle has a median household income of $48,000. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $122,400, with a median rent of $918/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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
IDEA HORIZON VISTA COLLEGE PREPARATORY Horizon City, TX 6.7
JOURDANTON J H Jourdanton, TX 6.7
WARREN J H Warren, TX 6.7
BORGER INT Borger, TX 6.8
BUNA J H Buna, TX 6.8
BUSHLAND J H Bushland, TX 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about E Merle Smith Middle

What grades does E Merle Smith Middle serve?

E Merle Smith Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend E Merle Smith Middle?

E Merle Smith Middle has an enrollment of approximately 384 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at E Merle Smith Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at E Merle Smith Middle is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does E Merle Smith Middle rank in TX?

E Merle Smith Middle is ranked #3595 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is E Merle Smith Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

E Merle Smith Middle has a composite rating of 6.7 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 E Merle Smith Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, E Merle Smith Middle has 34.0% math proficiency and 34.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is E Merle Smith Middle a charter school?

No, E Merle Smith Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is E Merle Smith Middle a Title I school?

No, E Merle Smith Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for E Merle Smith Middle?

68.8% of students at E Merle Smith 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,920/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
San Patricio County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SINTON ISD
District Enrollment
2,023
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,283
District Rank
#1 of 4

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

Related reading

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.