Below Average
#7617 of 8,547 schools in TX
Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys
Middle School · KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
9636 MESA DR, Houston, TX 77078
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.2
Grades
5th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Houston
#609 of 723
public schools
Texas middle schools
#1,578 of 1,693
In district
#23 of 56
KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
About Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys
KIPP Polaris Academy for Boys is a charter school located in Houston, Texas. The school serves boys in grades five through eight and has an enrollment of 348 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1. There are 22 full-time equivalent teachers supporting the students.
The academic performance at KIPP Polaris Academy for Boys shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #7744 out of 8598 schools in Texas, placing it in the 10th percentile. The school's academic score is 2.5 out of 10, indicating that there are areas where focused effort can yield growth. In terms of standardized tests, 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 30% are proficient or above in Math.
KIPP Polaris Academy for Boys is situated in a bustling urban setting within Houston, providing a rich environment that offers numerous opportunities beyond the school walls.
What Parents Should Know
Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys — Students at Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.1%
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: 2.7/10.
How Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys Compares
See how Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 14% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 27% (2021).
Location
9636 MESA DR, Houston, TX 77078
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. FOREST BROOK MIDDLE (rated 5.2/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is C E KING MIDDLE (rated 5.0/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MICHAEL R NULL MIDDLE (rated 5.0/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| KIPP VOYAGE ACADEMY FOR GIRLS Houston | 0.0 mi | 3.3 |
| KIPP NORTHEAST COLLEGE PREPARATORY Houston | 0.1 mi | 7.9 |
| KIPP LEGACY PREPARATORY Houston | 0.1 mi | 2.1 |
| FONWOOD EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR Houston | 0.3 mi | 4.4 |
| THE VARNETT SCHOOL - NORTHEAST Houston | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| NORTH FOREST H S Houston | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| HILLIARD EL Houston | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| FOREST BROOK MIDDLE Houston | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| ELMORE EL Houston | 3.1 mi | 4.9 |
| C E KING MIDDLE Houston | 2.9 mi | 5.0 |
| KASE ACADEMY Houston | 2.9 mi | 6.5 |
| MCGOWEN EL Houston | 3.2 mi | 4.7 |
| SHADYDALE EL Houston | 3.0 mi | 3.6 |
| GARRETT EL Houston | 3.3 mi | 4.7 |
| MICHAEL R NULL MIDDLE Houston | 3.5 mi | 5.0 |
| YES PREP NORTH FOREST Houston | 3.7 mi | 5.7 |
| NORTH FOREST EL Houston | 3.7 mi | 5.3 |
| H M CARROLL EL Houston | 3.4 mi | 6.0 |
| L E MONAHAN EL Houston | 3.4 mi | 3.9 |
| OATES EL Houston | 4.1 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 77078 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,838
Median Home Value
$151,500
Median Rent
$1,336/mo
Population
14,705
College Educated
12.2%
Homeownership
58.7%
Avg Commute
30.8 min
Poverty Rate
32.8%
Median Age
33.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys has a median household income of $38,838. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,500, with a median rent of $1,336/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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 |
|---|---|
| ILTEXAS HOUSTON OREM MIDDLE Houston, TX | 4.2 |
| KIPP DESTINY MIDDLE Dallas, TX | 4.2 |
| CEDAR HILL COLLEGIATE ACADEMY Cedar Hill, TX | 4.3 |
| KIPP PRIME COLLEGE PREPARATORY Houston, TX | 4.3 |
| PEARSALL J H Pearsall, TX | 4.3 |
| DAVID YBARRA FINE ARTS ACADEMY Edcouch, TX | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys
What grades does Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys serve?
Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys serves students in grades 5th through 8th.
How many students attend Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys?
Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys has an enrollment of approximately 348 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys?
The student-teacher ratio at Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys rank in TX?
Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys is ranked #7617 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys's MySchoolScout rating?
Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys has 29.5% math proficiency and 34.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys a charter school?
Yes, Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys a Title I school?
No, Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys?
97.1% of students at Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (5,451/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Houston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 348
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 97.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Harris County
- Phone
- (832) 230-0567
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 34,111
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,447
- District Rank
- #23 of 56
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
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Schools in Houston, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Moving for Schools: How to Find the Best Schools Before You Relocateguides
- Understanding School Ratings: A Parent's Guide to Using Data for School Choice Decisionsguides
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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