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Average

#5857 of 8,547 schools in TX

Jo Nelson Middle

Middle School · SANTA ROSA ISD

P O BOX 368, Santa Rosa, TX 78593

Enrollment

223

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

5.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Santa Rosa

#2 of 3

public schools

Texas middle schools

#1,220 of 1,693

In district

#2 of 3

SANTA ROSA ISD

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Jo Nelson Middle

JO Nelson Middle School serves 223 students in grades 6 through 8 in Santa Rosa, Texas, earning a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks impressively at #1332 out of 8598 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 84th percentile among Texas schools. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, JO Nelson Middle maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 10.6 to 1, allowing for more personalized attention and smaller class sizes than many schools.

This intimate learning environment can be particularly beneficial for middle school students navigating this crucial developmental period. The school serves a community where the median household income is $34,773 and about 34% of residents live below the poverty line. Despite economic challenges in the area, JO Nelson Middle's strong state ranking suggests the school is effectively supporting student achievement and growth.

The surrounding ZIP code of 78593 has a population of just over 5,000 residents, with a median home value of $63,700, reflecting the area's affordable cost of living. Only 6% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, making the school's academic success even more noteworthy. JO Nelson Middle School is situated in a rural area near the town of Santa Rosa in Cameron County, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to educational resources.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Jo Nelson 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 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,722

Jo Nelson Middle — Students at Jo Nelson Middle score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 26.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 35.0%
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
39%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
30%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Jo Nelson Middle Compares

See how Jo Nelson Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
32th percentile in TX
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

P O BOX 368, Santa Rosa, TX 78593

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jo Nelson Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. IDEA HARLINGEN COLLEGE PREPARATORY (rated 7.3/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Harlingen), which scores notably higher. Another option is NOEMI DOMINGUEZ EL (rated 6.3/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby La Feria), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, W B GREEN J H (rated 6.2/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby La Feria), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Santa Rosa, see our Santa Rosa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.3 mi
School Distance Rating
SANTA ROSA H S Santa Rosa 0.1 mi 6.7
ELMA E BARRERA EL Santa Rosa 0.8 mi 4.8
DR HESIQUIO RODRIGUEZ EL Harlingen 4.5 mi 4.4
WILSON EL Harlingen 4.5 mi 6.8
LA FERIA EARLY COLLEGE H S La Feria 6.2 mi 6.6
LA FERIA ACADEMY La Feria 6.3 mi
W B GREEN J H La Feria 6.4 mi 6.2
SAM HOUSTON EL La Feria 6.4 mi 4.8
DISHMAN EL Harlingen 5.8 mi 3.5
IDEA HARLINGEN ACADEMY Harlingen 6.4 mi 6.0
IDEA HARLINGEN COLLEGE PREPARATORY Harlingen 6.4 mi 7.3
C E VAIL EL La Feria 6.9 mi 3.7
NOEMI DOMINGUEZ EL La Feria 7.0 mi 6.3
STUART PLACE EL Harlingen 6.7 mi 4.4
GUTIERREZ MIDDLE Harlingen 6.5 mi 4.7
DAVID G SANCHEZ EL La Feria 7.5 mi 5.6
JOSE BERNABE MUNOZ EL La Villa 6.9 mi 5.1
LA VILLA MIDDLE La Villa 6.9 mi 4.2
MOISES VELA MIDDLE Harlingen 7.3 mi 5.1
JUBILEE HARLINGEN San Antonio 7.3 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78593 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,194

Median Home Value

$66,900

Median Rent

$876/mo

Population

5,030

College Educated

12.4%

Homeownership

71.3%

Poverty Rate

28.8%

Median Age

31.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jo Nelson Middle has a median household income of $40,194. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $66,900, with a median rent of $876/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.8%, 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
COAHOMA J H Coahoma, TX 5.5
RED LICK MIDDLE Texarkana, TX 5.5
SER-NINOS CHARTER MIDDLE Houston, TX 5.5
TRAVIS 6TH GRADE CAMPUS Amarillo, TX 5.5
TRENTON MIDDLE Trenton, TX 5.5
VALLEY VIEW MIDDLE Valley View, TX 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jo Nelson Middle

What grades does Jo Nelson Middle serve?

Jo Nelson Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Jo Nelson Middle?

Jo Nelson Middle has an enrollment of approximately 223 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jo Nelson Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Jo Nelson Middle is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jo Nelson Middle rank in TX?

Jo Nelson Middle is ranked #5857 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Jo Nelson Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Jo Nelson Middle has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Jo Nelson Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jo Nelson Middle has 26.0% math proficiency and 35.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Jo Nelson Middle a charter school?

No, Jo Nelson Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Jo Nelson Middle a Title I school?

No, Jo Nelson Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jo Nelson Middle?

88.8% of students at Jo Nelson 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

County Safety
Low (222/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
223
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Cameron County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SANTA ROSA ISD
District Enrollment
931
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,329
District Rank
#2 of 3

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 methodology

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