Average
#3578 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 42% in state
Rice Middle
Middle School · PLANO ISD
8500 GIFFORD DR, Plano, TX 75025
Enrollment
914
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
914
Student-Teacher
18.7:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Plano
#34 of 66
public schools
Texas middle schools
#711 of 1,693
In district
#39 of 71
PLANO ISD
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Rice Middle
Rice Middle serves 914 students in grades 6 through 8 in Plano, Texas, operating as a regular public school in the heart of Collin County. With 49 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.7:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonably sized classes for middle school students navigating this crucial transitional period. The school currently holds a 3.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks in the 8th percentile among Texas middle schools, indicating significant room for academic growth and development.
While these metrics suggest challenges, Rice Middle continues to serve its diverse student body as they progress through these formative middle school years. The school draws from an affluent surrounding community in ZIP code 75025, where families enjoy a median household income of $134,740 and median home values of $438,600. This well-educated neighborhood, with 65% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a low poverty rate of 4.9%, reflects the area's commitment to education and community investment.
Rice Middle is situated in Plano's large city environment, benefiting from the resources and opportunities that come with being part of this thriving North Texas community known for its strong emphasis on education and family-friendly atmosphere.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rice Middle — Students at Rice Middle score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
10.4%
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
↓ 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: 6.6/10.
How Rice Middle Compares
See how Rice Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 90% (2019) to 80% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 86% (2019) to 77% (2021).
Location
8500 GIFFORD DR, Plano, TX 75025
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rice Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. FOWLER MIDDLE (rated 8.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SCHIMELPFENIG MIDDLE (rated 7.3/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Plano, see our Plano schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SKAGGS EL Plano | 0.3 mi | 8.8 |
| WYATT EL Plano | 0.6 mi | 8.6 |
| FOWLER MIDDLE Plano | 0.7 mi | 8.0 |
| MATHEWS EL Plano | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| WHITE DOVE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Plano | 0.9 mi | — |
| ANDERSON EL Plano | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| TAYLOR EL Plano | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| CORAM DEO ACADEMY OF COLLIN COUNTY Plano | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| BORCHARDT EL Plano | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| ANDREWS EL Plano | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| BETHANY EL Plano | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| SEVENSTAR ACADEMY Allen | 1.5 mi | 2.0 |
| PEBBLECREEK MONTESSORI Allen | 1.6 mi | 7.9 |
| RIDDLE EL Plano | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| HAUN EL Plano | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| ST PAUL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Plano | 2.1 mi | — |
| BEVERLY EL Allen | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| SCHIMELPFENIG MIDDLE Plano | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| GULLEDGE EL Plano | 2.1 mi | 7.2 |
| CURTSINGER EL Frisco | 2.2 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 75025 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$135,398
Median Home Value
$466,700
Median Rent
$1,942/mo
Population
53,352
College Educated
66.6%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
26.1 min
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Median Age
40.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rice Middle has a median household income of $135,398. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $466,700, with a median rent of $1,942/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| ALMA MARTINEZ INT Mansfield, TX | 6.7 |
| BELLVILLE J H Bellville, TX | 6.7 |
| BOWIE MIDDLE Amarillo, TX | 6.7 |
| COBB 6TH GRADE CAMPUS Houston, TX | 6.7 |
| CRANDALL MIDDLE Crandall, TX | 6.7 |
| CREEKSIDE PARK J H The Woodlands, TX | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rice Middle
What grades does Rice Middle serve?
Rice Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Rice Middle?
Rice Middle has an enrollment of approximately 914 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rice Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Rice Middle is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rice Middle rank in TX?
Rice Middle is ranked #3578 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Rice Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Rice Middle has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Rice Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rice Middle has 85.0% math proficiency and 81.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rice Middle a charter school?
No, Rice Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rice Middle a Title I school?
No, Rice Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rice Middle?
10.4% of students at Rice 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,621/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Plano). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 914
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 49
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 10.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Collin County
- Phone
- (469) 752-6000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PLANO ISD- District Enrollment
- 47,899
- Schools in District
- 77
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,384
- District Rank
- #39 of 71
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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