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Below Average

#7231 of 8,547 schools in TX

Rafael a Cantu J H

Middle School · MISSION CISD

1201 BRYCE DR, Mission, TX 78572

Enrollment

581

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

4.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mission

#31 of 65

public schools

Texas middle schools

#1,508 of 1,693

In district

#6 of 22

MISSION CISD

School environment

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Rafael a Cantu J H

Rafael A Cantu Junior High is a regular public middle school located in Mission, Texas. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 581 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1 with 42 full-time equivalent teachers. The setting is within a large suburban area that offers a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial spaces.

While Rafael A Cantu Junior High ranks in the lower tier among Texas schools, it focuses on providing educational support through its structured programs and dedicated staff. Students perform at around 33% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 32% in Math, indicating areas where academic growth is needed. The school community is actively engaged in supporting students' development both academically and socially.

Rafael A Cantu Junior High stands as a cornerstone of the local Mission community, providing essential middle school education within its large suburban setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-11.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16%
Reading/ELA Proficiency26%
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)26%
vs. Expected-4.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,552

Rafael a Cantu J H — Students at Rafael a Cantu J H score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.0%
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
48%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
26%

* 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: 2.6/10.

How Rafael a Cantu J H Compares

See how Rafael a Cantu J H performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
15th percentile in TX
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

1201 BRYCE DR, Mission, TX 78572

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rafael a Cantu J H may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SHARYLAND NORTH J H (rated 5.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ALTON MEMORIAL J H (rated 4.0/10, 2.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Mission, see our Mission schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
HURLA M MIDKIFF EL Mission 1.3 mi 2.2
JESSIE L JENSEN EL Mission 1.7 mi 2.9
ALTON EL Mission 1.8 mi 3.9
SHARYLAND NORTH J H Mission 1.7 mi 5.4
DONNA WERNECKE EL Mission 1.9 mi 3.4
OLIVERO GARZA SR EL Mission 2.0 mi 2.4
VETERANS MEMORIAL H S Mission 2.1 mi 7.0
CARL C WAITZ EL Mission 2.1 mi 3.4
MIMS EL Mission 2.2 mi 3.5
CANTU EL Mission 2.5 mi 4.8
HILDA C ESCOBAR/ALICIA C RIOS EL Mission 2.5 mi 2.8
JOHN H SHARY EL Mission 2.7 mi 3.3
LUCILE HENDRICKS EL Mcallen 2.5 mi 6.3
RAQUEL CAVAZOS EL Mission 2.6 mi 3.3
SHARYLAND PIONEER H S Mission 2.8 mi 6.7
SOUTH TEXAS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mcallen 2.6 mi 6.0
ALTON MEMORIAL J H Mission 2.7 mi 4.0
COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mcallen 2.8 mi 5.4
MISSION COLLEGIATE H S Alton 2.7 mi 7.1
IDEA NORTH MISSION ACADEMY Mission 3.0 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78572 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,029

Median Home Value

$121,900

Median Rent

$900/mo

Population

78,197

College Educated

25%

Homeownership

72.1%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

20.4%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rafael a Cantu J H has a median household income of $54,029. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,900, with a median rent of $900/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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
ALAN B SHEPARD MIDDLE San Antonio, TX 4.6
ANN M GARCIA-ENRIQUEZ MIDDLE San Elizario, TX 4.6
ANN RICHARDS MIDDLE Mission, TX 4.6
BROWN MIDDLE El Paso, TX 4.6
CANYON HILLS MIDDLE El Paso, TX 4.6
CEDAR CREEK INT Cedar Creek, TX 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rafael a Cantu J H

What grades does Rafael a Cantu J H serve?

Rafael a Cantu J H serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Rafael a Cantu J H?

Rafael a Cantu J H has an enrollment of approximately 581 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rafael a Cantu J H?

The student-teacher ratio at Rafael a Cantu J H is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rafael a Cantu J H rank in TX?

Rafael a Cantu J H is ranked #7231 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Rafael a Cantu J H's MySchoolScout rating?

Rafael a Cantu J H has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Rafael a Cantu J H?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rafael a Cantu J H has 32.0% math proficiency and 33.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rafael a Cantu J H a charter school?

No, Rafael a Cantu J H is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rafael a Cantu J H a Title I school?

No, Rafael a Cantu J H is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rafael a Cantu J H?

89.5% of students at Rafael a Cantu 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,339/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mission). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
581
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Hidalgo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MISSION CISD
District Enrollment
14,068
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,955
District Rank
#6 of 22

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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