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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

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 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-10.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics1.6Significantly Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-21.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,644

Mary Harper Middle — Students at Mary Harper Middle score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 17.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 26.5%
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
29%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
17%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.2/10
11th percentile in TX
Academic
1.6/10
1.6/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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