Below Average
#7646 of 8,547 schools in TX
Mary Harper Middle
Middle School · DILLEY ISD
245 W FM 117, Dilley, TX 78017
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher
9.3:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher
9.3:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Dilley
#3 of 3
public schools
Texas middle schools
#1,583 of 1,693
In district
#3 of 3
DILLEY ISD
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Mary Harper Middle
Mary Harper Middle School serves 167 students in grades 6 through 8 in Dilley, Texas, offering a notably small learning environment with just 18 full-time equivalent teachers. This creates an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1, allowing for more individualized attention and stronger student-teacher relationships than typically found in larger middle schools. The school has earned recognition for its performance, achieving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking #471 out of 8,598 schools statewide, placing it in the impressive 94th percentile among Texas schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's effectiveness in serving its student population within the Frio County school system. Mary Harper Middle draws from a community where the median household income is $72,188, though only 12% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 12.6%, and median home values of $106,300 reflect the affordable cost of living in this part of Texas.
Located at 245 W FM 117, the school sits in a remote rural setting that characterizes much of Frio County. This rural environment provides students with a close-knit school community experience, where the small size allows educators to know each student personally while maintaining high academic standards that have earned statewide recognition.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 167 students, Mary Harper Middle is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1, Mary Harper 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.
Located in a rural area, Mary Harper 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Mary Harper Middle — Students at Mary Harper Middle score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.7%
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: 3.0/10.
How Mary Harper Middle Compares
See how Mary Harper Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 6% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 17% (2021).
Location
245 W FM 117, Dilley, TX 78017
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mary Harper Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. FRANK NEWMAN MIDDLE (rated 7.0/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Cotulla), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHARLOTTE MIDDLE (rated 7.0/10, 31.2 miles away, in nearby Charlotte), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DEVINE MIDDLE (rated 6.5/10, 35.9 miles away, in nearby Devine), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dilley, see our Dilley schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 36.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| DILLEY H S Dilley | 0.0 mi | 7.1 |
| DILLEY EL Dilley | 0.1 mi | 6.4 |
| PEARSALL J H Pearsall | 16.1 mi | 4.3 |
| PEARSALL INT Pearsall | 16.2 mi | 3.7 |
| TED FLORES EL Pearsall | 16.2 mi | 5.6 |
| COTULLA H S Cotulla | 16.6 mi | 6.0 |
| PEARSALL H S Pearsall | 16.5 mi | 5.7 |
| RAMIREZ-BURKS EL Cotulla | 16.6 mi | 7.8 |
| FRANK NEWMAN MIDDLE Cotulla | 17.1 mi | 7.0 |
| DISTRICT REASSIGNMENT & OPPORTUNITY CENTER Charlotte | 30.7 mi | — |
| CHARLOTTE MIDDLE Charlotte | 31.2 mi | 7.0 |
| CHARLOTTE H S Charlotte | 31.2 mi | 8.3 |
| CHARLOTTE EL Charlotte | 31.3 mi | 8.7 |
| BATESVILLE SCHOOL Uvalde | 33.4 mi | 6.9 |
| DEVINE LEARNING ACADEMY Devine | 35.8 mi | — |
| DEVINE MIDDLE Devine | 35.9 mi | 6.5 |
| DEVINE DAEP SCHOOL Devine | 35.9 mi | — |
| DEVINE H S Devine | 36.1 mi | 4.9 |
| DEVINE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Devine | 36.2 mi | 7.5 |
| JOHN J CIAVARRA EL Devine | 36.3 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78017 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,111
Median Home Value
$99,800
Median Rent
$925/mo
Population
6,160
College Educated
14.1%
Homeownership
62%
Poverty Rate
20.6%
Median Age
29.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mary Harper Middle has a median household income of $51,111. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $99,800, with a median rent of $925/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, 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 |
|---|---|
| LA VILLA MIDDLE La Villa, TX | 4.2 |
| EL PASO LEADERSHIP ACADEMY El Paso, TX | 4.3 |
| ANTHONY MIDDLE Anthony, TX | 4.5 |
| FRIENDS FOR LIFE MIDDLE Houston, TX | 4.5 |
| IDEA AMBROSE AND FREDA ROBINSON COLLEGE PREPARATOR Weslaco, TX | 4.5 |
| PRO-VISION MIDDLE Houston, TX | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mary Harper Middle
What grades does Mary Harper Middle serve?
Mary Harper Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Mary Harper Middle?
Mary Harper Middle has an enrollment of approximately 167 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mary Harper Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Mary Harper Middle is 9.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mary Harper Middle rank in TX?
Mary Harper Middle is ranked #7646 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Mary Harper Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Mary Harper Middle 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 Mary Harper Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mary Harper Middle has 17.5% math proficiency and 26.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mary Harper Middle a charter school?
No, Mary Harper Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mary Harper Middle a Title I school?
No, Mary Harper Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mary Harper Middle?
73.7% of students at Mary Harper 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
- Elevated (775/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Dilley). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 167
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Frio County
- Phone
- (830) 965-2195
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DILLEY ISD- District Enrollment
- 868
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,836
- District Rank
- #3 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 methodologyRelated reading
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