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Below Average

#6931 of 8,552 schools in TX

Plains Middle

Middle School · PLAINS ISD

P O BOX 479, Plains, TX 79355

Enrollment

94

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

4.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#6,931 of 8,552

In Plains

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

PLAINS ISD

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Plains Middle

4.6/10

Middle School in Plains · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Plains EL

5.0/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Plains H S

6.1/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Plains Middle

Plains Middle is a public middle school in Plains, TX, part of PLAINS ISD. Plains Middle serves approximately 94 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Plains Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #6,931 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Plains Middle show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.7 pts below TX schools
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • TX avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 94 students, Plains Middle is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Plains Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.4Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-5.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-3.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.3 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected-11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,677
Chronic Absenteeism21.3%

Plains Middle — Students at Plains Middle score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

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 STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 60.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 63.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
97.5%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2011
Math
87%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2013
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2014
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2015
Math
77%
ELA
87%
2016
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
19.8%
ELA
35.9%
2024
Math
40%
ELA
38%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How Plains Middle Compares

See how Plains Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
19th percentile in TX
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.0/10, 27.1 miles away, in nearby Sundown), which scores notably higher. Another option is SEMINOLE J H (rated 6.7/10, 33.1 miles away, in nearby Seminole), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WILLIAM G GRAVITT J H (rated 5.1/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Denver City), which scores slightly higher. 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 5.0
PLAINS H S Plains 0.0 mi 6.1
DENVER CITY H S Denver City 15.0 mi 6.2
KELLEY EL Denver City 15.1 mi 6.4
DODSON PRI Denver City 15.1 mi 6.6
WILLIAM G GRAVITT J H Denver City 15.2 mi 5.1
SEAGRAVES SCHOOLS Seagraves 22.1 mi 5.8
WELLMAN-UNION SCHOOL Wellman 25.1 mi 7.3
SUNDOWN EL Sundown 27.1 mi 9.5
SUNDOWN H S Sundown 27.1 mi 7.9
SUNDOWN J H Sundown 27.1 mi 9.0
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 6.7
SEMINOLE H S Seminole 33.4 mi 6.7
LOOP SCHOOL Loop 30.5 mi 8.0
YOUNG EL Seminole 33.7 mi 7.6
TATUM ELEMENTARY Tatum 28.9 mi 8.8
TATUM HIGH Tatum 29.0 mi 7.1
TATUM JR HIGH Tatum 29.0 mi 4.3

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
LOCKNEY J H Lockney, TX 4.6
WORTHAM MIDDLE Wortham, TX 4.5
JUNCTION MIDDLE Junction, TX 4.7
TORNILLO J H Tornillo, TX 4.8
IRAAN J H Iraan, TX 4.1
THE SUMMIT (INTERMEDIATE) Pasadena, TX 5.1

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 ranks #6,931 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Plains Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Plains Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Plains Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Plains Middle has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.3%

District

PLAINS ISD
District Enrollment
421
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,677
District Rank
#3 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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