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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics4.9Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-10.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,056

Plains Middle — Students at Plains Middle score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
32%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.8/10
83th percentile in TX
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (672/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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