Very Good
#2776 of 8,552 schools in TX
Top 32% in state
Ponder J H
Middle School · PONDER ISD
400 W BAILEY, Ponder, TX 76259
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ponder
#2 of 3
public schools
Texas middle schools
#573 of 1,693
In district
#2 of 3
PONDER ISD
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Ponder J H
Ponder J H is a public middle school in Ponder, TX, part of the PONDER ISD. The school serves approximately 367 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3/10, placing it in the 67.6th percentile among TX schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 72% proficiency in math, 28 points above the state average and 69% in reading/language arts, 15 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in school environment (7.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $94,433, where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a distant rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Ponder J H 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
Ponder J H — Students at Ponder J H score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 30 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: 7.4/10.
How Ponder J H Compares
See how Ponder J H performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84% (2009) to 54% (2024). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 94% (2009) to 51% (2024).
Location
400 W BAILEY, Ponder, TX 76259
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ponder J H may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ARGYLE MIDDLE (rated 8.0/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Argyle), which scores slightly higher. Another option is ARGYLE 6TH GRADE CENTER (rated 7.5/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Argyle), with a very similar rating. Additionally, KRUM MIDDLE (rated 5.3/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Krum), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ponder, see our Ponder schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| PONDER H S Ponder | 0.1 mi | 7.6 |
| PONDER EL Ponder | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| LANCE THOMPSON EL Argyle | 5.7 mi | 8.9 |
| ARGYLE WEST Argyle | 5.9 mi | 8.9 |
| DYER EL Krum | 6.2 mi | 5.8 |
| KRUM MIDDLE Krum | 6.3 mi | 5.3 |
| BLANCHE DODD EL Krum | 6.4 mi | 6.5 |
| KRUM H S Krum | 6.6 mi | 6.8 |
| KRUM EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Krum | 6.7 mi | 5.3 |
| JUSTIN EL Justin | 7.3 mi | 6.2 |
| ARGYLE 6TH GRADE CENTER Argyle | 7.2 mi | 7.5 |
| NORTH TEXAS COLLEGIATE ACADEMY-NORTH CAMPUS Denton | 7.4 mi | 7.3 |
| HILLTOP EL Argyle | 7.6 mi | 8.4 |
| ARGYLE SOUTH EL Flower Mound | 8.5 mi | 7.9 |
| ARGYLE MIDDLE Argyle | 8.0 mi | 8.0 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Denton | 8.1 mi | 7.0 |
| ARGYLE H S Flower Mound | 9.0 mi | 7.2 |
| DENTON H S Denton | 8.4 mi | 7.0 |
| KI CHARTER - DENTON Denton | 8.3 mi | — |
| LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Argyle | 9.0 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 76259 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,433
Median Home Value
$356,600
Median Rent
$1,387/mo
Population
5,628
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
78%
Avg Commute
31.2 min
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ponder J H has a median household income of $94,433. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $356,600, with a median rent of $1,387/month. The local poverty rate of 5.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BRIDGEPORT MIDDLE Bridgeport, TX | 7.3 |
| BROWNWOOD MIDDLE Brownwood, TX | 7.3 |
| CLARK MIDDLE Princeton, TX | 7.3 |
| CUERO J H Cuero, TX | 7.3 |
| KEENE J H Keene, TX | 7.3 |
| LLANO J H Llano, TX | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ponder J H
What grades does Ponder J H serve?
Ponder J H serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Ponder J H?
Ponder J H has an enrollment of approximately 367 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponder J H?
The student-teacher ratio at Ponder J H is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ponder J H rank in TX?
Ponder J H is ranked #2776 out of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Ponder J H's MySchoolScout rating?
Ponder J H has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Ponder J H?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ponder J H has 71.9% math proficiency and 68.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ponder J H a charter school?
No, Ponder J H is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ponder J H a Title I school?
No, Ponder J H is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ponder J H?
42.0% of students at Ponder J H qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 367
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Denton County
- Chronic Absenteeism
- 11.7%
- Phone
- (940) 479-8220
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PONDER ISD- District Enrollment
- 1,677
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,102
- 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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