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Excellent

#109 of 8,547 schools in TX

Top 1% in state

Hereford Preparatory Academy

Middle School · HEREFORD ISD

704 LA PLATA STE B, Hereford, TX 79045

Enrollment

295

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

9.1

Grades

8th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hereford

#1 of 9

public schools

Texas middle schools

#28 of 1,693

In district

#1 of 8

HEREFORD ISD

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Hereford Preparatory Academy

Hereford Preparatory Academy serves 295 eighth-grade students in Hereford, Texas as a regular public school. With a student-teacher ratio of 12.8 to 1, students get consistent access to their teachers — a structural advantage that shows up directly in outcomes. The school earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 and a label of Exceptional.

Its growth score of 9.9 out of 10 is the standout metric, reflecting how much students improve while enrolled. Academic performance follows at 9.3 out of 10. Together, those numbers put Hereford Prep at #28 of 1,693 middle schools in Texas — a ranking that holds up against every type of middle school in one of the country's largest and most competitive state systems.

It outperforms 99% of Texas public schools overall, placing #109 out of 8,547 schools statewide. Within Hereford, the school sits at the top — #1 of 9 schools in the city. Parents comparing options locally or across the region will find it difficult to locate a middle school with stronger documented results.

For families prioritizing academic growth alongside raw performance, Hereford Preparatory Academy is among the clearest choices in the state.

What's said publicly about Hereford Preparatory Academy

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026. Reviewed for accuracy.

Hereford Preparatory Academy (HPA) is part of the Hereford Independent School District, as indicated by the district website www.herefordisd.net 1 . The school's history is described as starting with 'humble roots' in 1900 with one building 1 . In 2021, the school was characterized as being built by the community through local partnerships and support 1 . The year 2022 marked the growth of programs in academics, arts, athletics, and technology 1 . In 2023, the focus was on developing students with integrity, leadership, and purpose, under the theme 'Champions of Character' 1 . Looking toward 2025, the school aims to prepare future-ready students to lead, dream, and achieve 1 . The source highlights specific staff members, including athletic trainer Sarah Baulch, who teaches kinesiology, leads a sports medicine podcast, and supports athletes 1 . It also mentions Cassie Foster as an Art/Alpha Teacher and Edward Maldonado, associated with Aikman Elementary 1 . The text notes efforts to provide 8th-grade students with memorable activities 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.herefordisd.net
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+5.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics9.3Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+24.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment7.4Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,647

Hereford Preparatory Academy — Students at Hereford Preparatory Academy score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 55.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.0%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
47%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Hereford Preparatory Academy Compares

See how Hereford Preparatory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.1/10
99th percentile in TX
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

704 LA PLATA STE B, Hereford, TX 79045

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hereford Preparatory Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. VEGA J H (rated 7.8/10, 28.8 miles away, in nearby Vega), a more accessible option. Another option is DIMMITT MIDDLE (rated 7.4/10, 20.5 miles away, in nearby Dimmitt), a more accessible option. Additionally, HEREFORD J H (rated 7.0/10), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hereford, see our Hereford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.8 mi
School Distance Rating
HEREFORD J H Hereford 0.0 mi 7.0
NORTHWEST EL Hereford 0.3 mi 8.2
ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hereford 0.8 mi 7.7
BLUEBONNET EL Hereford 0.8 mi 8.0
WEST CENTRAL EL Hereford 1.0 mi 6.3
HEREFORD H S Hereford 1.1 mi 6.6
AIKMAN EL Hereford 1.4 mi 7.5
TIERRA BLANCA EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Hereford 2.2 mi 5.9
RICHARDSON EL Dimmitt 20.3 mi 6.2
DIMMITT MIDDLE Dimmitt 20.5 mi 7.4
DIMMITT H S Dimmitt 20.6 mi 6.1
FRIONA J H Friona 22.0 mi 6.7
FRIONA EL Friona 22.1 mi 6.0
FRIONA PRI Friona 22.1 mi 8.0
FRIONA H S Friona 22.6 mi 7.3
WILDORADO SCHOOL Wildorado 27.0 mi 7.6
WALCOTT EL Hereford 23.8 mi 4.3
VEGA EL Vega 28.8 mi 9.3
VEGA H S Vega 28.8 mi 7.0
VEGA J H Vega 28.8 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 79045 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,207

Median Home Value

$111,800

Median Rent

$921/mo

Population

18,441

College Educated

11.4%

Homeownership

65.9%

Avg Commute

16.6 min

Poverty Rate

16.1%

Median Age

31.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hereford Preparatory Academy has a median household income of $54,207. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,800, with a median rent of $921/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
ALVORD MIDDLE Alvord, TX 9.1
CLIFTON MIDDLE Clifton, TX 9.1
ELYSIAN FIELDS MIDDLE Elysian Fields, TX 9.1
LA GRANGE MIDDLE La Grange, TX 9.1
WEST RUSK MIDDLE New London, TX 9.1
CALDWELL J H Caldwell, TX 9.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hereford Preparatory Academy

What grades does Hereford Preparatory Academy serve?

Hereford Preparatory Academy serves students in grades 8th through 8th.

How many students attend Hereford Preparatory Academy?

Hereford Preparatory Academy has an enrollment of approximately 295 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hereford Preparatory Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Hereford Preparatory Academy is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hereford Preparatory Academy rank in TX?

Hereford Preparatory Academy is ranked #109 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Hereford Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Hereford Preparatory Academy has a composite rating of 9.1 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 Hereford Preparatory Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hereford Preparatory Academy has 55.0% math proficiency and 44.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hereford Preparatory Academy a charter school?

No, Hereford Preparatory Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hereford Preparatory Academy a Title I school?

No, Hereford Preparatory Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hereford Preparatory Academy?

78.3% of students at Hereford Preparatory Academy 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

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,136/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 8th
Enrollment
295
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Deaf Smith County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HEREFORD ISD
District Enrollment
3,950
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,359
District Rank
#1 of 8

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

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