Very Good
#1469 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 17% in state
Plains Middle
Middle School · PLAINS ISD
P O BOX 479, Plains, TX 79355
Enrollment
94
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
94
Student-Teacher
10.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Plains
#2 of 3
public schools
Texas middle schools
#277 of 1,693
In district
#2 of 3
PLAINS ISD
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Plains Middle
Plains Middle serves 94 students in grades 6 through 8 in the small community of Plains, Texas. This regular public school maintains an impressive 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio with 9 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention in the classroom. The school has earned a strong 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #1181 out of 8,598 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 86th percentile among Texas schools.
This solid academic standing reflects the school's commitment to student achievement in its intimate learning environment. Plains Middle operates within Yoakum County, where the median household income of $79,340 supports a stable community foundation. The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.8%, and homes have a median value of $124,200, indicating an affordable cost of living for families.
With just 1,573 residents in the 79355 ZIP code, Plains Middle truly embodies small-town education where students and teachers can build meaningful relationships. The school's remote rural setting provides a close-knit community atmosphere where every student can be known and supported throughout their middle school journey.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 94 students, Plains 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.
Located in a rural area, Plains 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
Plains Middle — Students at Plains Middle score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.3%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How Plains Middle Compares
See how Plains Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 479, Plains, TX 79355
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Plains Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SUNDOWN J H (rated 8.7/10, 27.1 miles away, in nearby Sundown), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SEMINOLE J H (rated 8.7/10, 33.1 miles away, in nearby Seminole), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, WILLIAM G GRAVITT J H (rated 6.1/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Denver City), a more accessible option. For more schools in Plains, see our Plains schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 29.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PLAINS EL Plains | 0.0 mi | 7.9 |
| PLAINS H S Plains | 0.0 mi | 7.2 |
| DENVER CITY H S Denver City | 15.0 mi | 5.9 |
| KELLEY EL Denver City | 15.1 mi | 7.8 |
| DODSON PRI Denver City | 15.1 mi | 7.0 |
| WILLIAM G GRAVITT J H Denver City | 15.2 mi | 6.1 |
| SEAGRAVES SCHOOLS Seagraves | 22.1 mi | 5.5 |
| WELLMAN-UNION SCHOOL Wellman | 25.1 mi | 8.4 |
| SUNDOWN EL Sundown | 27.1 mi | 9.1 |
| SUNDOWN H S Sundown | 27.1 mi | 5.6 |
| SUNDOWN J H Sundown | 27.1 mi | 8.7 |
| RACE (ROUGHNECK ALTERNATIVE CENTER FOR EDUCATION) Sundown | 27.1 mi | — |
| WHITEFACE SCHOOL Whiteface | 30.9 mi | 5.9 |
| SEMINOLE J H Seminole | 33.1 mi | 8.7 |
| SEMINOLE H S Seminole | 33.4 mi | 6.2 |
| LOOP SCHOOL Loop | 30.5 mi | 7.9 |
| YOUNG EL Seminole | 33.7 mi | 7.8 |
| TATUM ELEMENTARY Tatum | 28.9 mi | 8.2 |
| TATUM HIGH Tatum | 29.0 mi | 6.0 |
| TATUM JR HIGH Tatum | 29.0 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 79355 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,172
Median Home Value
$118,400
Median Rent
$868/mo
Population
1,642
College Educated
14.3%
Homeownership
67.3%
Poverty Rate
22.2%
Median Age
25.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Plains Middle has a median household income of $74,172. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,400, with a median rent of $868/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.2%, 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 |
|---|---|
| VEGA J H Vega, TX | 7.8 |
| ROSEBUD-LOTT MIDDLE Lott, TX | 7.7 |
| YORKTOWN J H Yorktown, TX | 7.7 |
| BRACKETT J H Bracketville, TX | 7.9 |
| RALLS MIDDLE Ralls, TX | 8.0 |
| CENTER POINT MIDDLE Center Point, TX | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Plains Middle
What grades does Plains Middle serve?
Plains Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Plains Middle?
Plains Middle has an enrollment of approximately 94 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Plains Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Plains Middle is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Plains Middle rank in TX?
Plains Middle is ranked #1469 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Plains Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Plains Middle has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Plains Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Plains Middle has 32.0% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Plains Middle a charter school?
No, Plains Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Plains Middle a Title I school?
No, Plains Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Plains Middle?
54.3% of students at Plains 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 94
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 9
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Yoakum County
- Phone
- (806) 456-7490
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PLAINS ISD- District Enrollment
- 421
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,677
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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