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Very Good

#1924 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 23% in state

Santa Maria Middle

Middle School · SANTA MARIA ISD

P O BOX 448, Santa Maria, TX 78592

Enrollment

121

Student-Teacher

9.3:1

Score

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#1,924 of 8,552

In Santa Maria

#2 of 3

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

SANTA MARIA ISD

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Santa Maria Middle

7.8/10

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

Tony Gonzalez EL

8.4/10

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

Santa Maria Academic Academy-options Campus (6-12)

Nearby

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

About Santa Maria Middle

Santa Maria Middle is a public middle school in Santa Maria, TX, part of SANTA MARIA ISD. Santa Maria Middle serves approximately 121 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 9.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Santa Maria Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,924 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Santa Maria Middle show 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts above TX schools
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • TX avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 121 students, Santa Maria 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.

At 9.3:1 students to teachers, Santa Maria Middle sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Santa Maria 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 Progress8.6Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data8
Annual Change-2.51 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-13.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.3 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
Resources & Environment9.9Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,319
Chronic Absenteeism10.7%

Santa Maria Middle — Students at Santa Maria Middle score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

99.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 23.5% (multi-year average, 2016-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 32.5% (multi-year average, 2016-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 16 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2016
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
9.7%
ELA
29.9%
2024
Math
30%
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: 8.6/10.

How Santa Maria Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
78th percentile in TX
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
9.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
10.7%

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 448, Santa Maria, TX 78592

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Santa Maria Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. W B GREEN J H (rated 6.9/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby La Feria), with a comparable rating. Another option is NOEMI DOMINGUEZ EL (rated 6.0/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby La Feria), a more accessible option. Additionally, SGT MANUEL CHACON MIDDLE (rated 4.9/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Mercedes), a more accessible option. For more schools in Santa Maria, see our Santa Maria schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.7 mi
School Distance Rating
TONY GONZALEZ EL Santa Maria 0.1 mi 8.4
SANTA MARIA ACADEMIC ACADEMY-OPTIONS CAMPUS (6-12) Santa Maria 0.2 mi
SANTA MARIA DAEP Santa Maria 0.2 mi
SANTA MARIA H S Santa Maria 0.2 mi 5.4
DAVID G SANCHEZ EL La Feria 4.9 mi 6.8
NOEMI DOMINGUEZ EL La Feria 5.3 mi 6.0
C E VAIL EL La Feria 5.4 mi 7.9
SGT MANUEL CHACON MIDDLE Mercedes 5.6 mi 4.9
W B GREEN J H La Feria 5.9 mi 6.9
MERCEDES ACADEMIC ACADEMY Mercedes 5.8 mi 5.3
MERCEDES H S Mercedes 5.7 mi 3.8
RUBEN HINOJOSA EL Mercedes 5.8 mi 6.3
LA FERIA ACADEMY La Feria 6.0 mi
LA FERIA EARLY COLLEGE H S La Feria 6.1 mi 6.4
TRAVIS EL Mercedes 6.0 mi 4.3
SAM HOUSTON EL La Feria 6.3 mi 7.9
TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-MERCEDES Mercedes 6.4 mi 5.2
MERCEDES EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY Mercedes 6.6 mi 6.9
MERCEDES EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM Mercedes 6.6 mi 3.0
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mercedes 6.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78592 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Population

600

College Educated

3.5%

Homeownership

100%

Poverty Rate

31.2%

Median Age

50.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
LOUISE J H Louise, TX 7.8
LYNDON B JOHNSON MIDDLE Johnson City, TX 7.8
WELLINGTON J H Wellington, TX 7.8
BARBARA M MANNS MIDDLE DAEP Dallas, TX 7.7
EVADALE J H Evadale, TX 7.7
BASIS SAN ANTONIO - NORTHEAST CAMPUS San Antonio, TX 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Santa Maria Middle

What grades does Santa Maria Middle serve?

Santa Maria Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Santa Maria Middle?

Santa Maria Middle has an enrollment of approximately 121 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Santa Maria Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Santa Maria Middle is 9.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Santa Maria Middle rank in TX?

Santa Maria Middle ranks #1,924 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Santa Maria Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Santa Maria Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Santa Maria Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Santa Maria Middle has 24% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).

Is Santa Maria Middle a charter school?

No, Santa Maria Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Santa Maria Middle a Title I school?

No, Santa Maria Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Santa Maria Middle?

99.2% of students at Santa Maria 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
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
121
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Cameron County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
10.7%

District

SANTA MARIA ISD
District Enrollment
540
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,319
District Rank
#2 of 3

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