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
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher
9.6:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
E Merle Smith Middle — Students at E Merle Smith Middle score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.8%
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: 6.6/10.
How E Merle Smith Middle Compares
See how E Merle Smith Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 26% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 33% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (361) 364-6840
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SINTON ISD- District Enrollment
- 2,023
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,283
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
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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