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Below Average

#7100 of 8,547 schools in TX

Sgt William G Harrell Middle

Middle School · MERCEDES ISD

P O BOX 419, Mercedes, TX 78570

Enrollment

388

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

4.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mercedes

#7 of 13

public schools

Texas middle schools

#1,481 of 1,693

In district

#5 of 10

MERCEDES ISD

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Sgt William G Harrell Middle

SGT William G Harrell Middle School serves 388 students in grades 6-8 in Mercedes, Texas, located in Hidalgo County. This regular public school maintains an impressive 9.9:1 student-teacher ratio with 39 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #982 out of 8,598 schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile among Texas schools.

This strong ranking demonstrates the school's commitment to student achievement and educational excellence. The school serves a diverse community where the median household income is $38,396 and the median home value is $83,500. The surrounding 78570 ZIP code area has a population of 35,043 residents, with 12% holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

While 34.5% of families in the area face economic challenges, the school's high ranking suggests dedicated educators and effective programs that support student success despite socioeconomic factors. SGT William G Harrell Middle School is situated in a rural area near the town of Mercedes, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to educational resources and opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Sgt William G Harrell Middle offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Sgt William G Harrell Middle 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 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-9.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-9.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,238

Sgt William G Harrell Middle — Students at Sgt William G Harrell Middle score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 21.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.5%
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
36%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
18%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Sgt William G Harrell Middle Compares

See how Sgt William G Harrell Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
17th percentile in TX
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

P O BOX 419, Mercedes, TX 78570

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sgt William G Harrell Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MARY HOGE MIDDLE (rated 6.8/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Weslaco), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SGT MANUEL CHACON MIDDLE (rated 5.5/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Mercedes, see our Mercedes schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
TAYLOR EL Mercedes 1.4 mi 3.8
JOHN F KENNEDY EL Mercedes 1.8 mi 4.8
TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-MERCEDES Mercedes 2.0 mi 4.2
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mercedes 2.1 mi
MERCEDES EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY Mercedes 2.3 mi 4.0
MERCEDES EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM Mercedes 2.3 mi 4.5
RUBEN HINOJOSA EL Mercedes 2.4 mi 4.5
SOUTH TEXAS ISD SCIENCE ACADEMY Mercedes 2.3 mi 9.6
MERCEDES ACADEMIC ACADEMY Mercedes 2.4 mi 5.8
SOUTH TEXAS ISD HEALTH PROFESSIONS Mercedes 2.4 mi 9.6
SGT MANUEL CHACON MIDDLE Mercedes 2.6 mi 5.5
SOUTH TEXAS ISD VIRTUAL ACADEMY Mercedes 2.5 mi
MERCEDES H S Mercedes 2.8 mi 4.5
A N RICO EL Weslaco 2.7 mi 2.3
TRAVIS EL Mercedes 3.0 mi 5.0
MARY HOGE MIDDLE Weslaco 2.8 mi 6.8
SOUTH PALM GARDENS H S Weslaco 3.3 mi 8.4
IDEA COLLEGE PREP WESLACO Weslaco 3.2 mi 6.6
IDEA ACADEMY WESLACO Weslaco 3.2 mi 3.0
PREMIER H S OF WESLACO Lewisville 3.5 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78570 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$39,890

Median Home Value

$83,400

Median Rent

$686/mo

Population

33,596

College Educated

11.7%

Homeownership

73.8%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

34.5%

Median Age

27.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sgt William G Harrell Middle has a median household income of $39,890. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $83,400, with a median rent of $686/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
ARLINGTON CLASSICS ACADEMY - MIDDLE Arlington, TX 4.7
IDEA ROUND ROCK TECH COLLEGE PREPARATORY Round Rock, TX 4.7
UPLIFT WISDOM SECONDARY Dallas, TX 4.7
CARRIZO SPRINGS J H Carrizo Springs, TX 4.8
DESOTO WEST MIDDLE Desoto, TX 4.8
GLENN C HARDIN INT Duncanville, TX 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sgt William G Harrell Middle

What grades does Sgt William G Harrell Middle serve?

Sgt William G Harrell Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sgt William G Harrell Middle?

Sgt William G Harrell Middle has an enrollment of approximately 388 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sgt William G Harrell Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Sgt William G Harrell Middle is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sgt William G Harrell Middle rank in TX?

Sgt William G Harrell Middle is ranked #7100 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Sgt William G Harrell Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Sgt William G Harrell Middle has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Sgt William G Harrell Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sgt William G Harrell Middle has 21.0% math proficiency and 22.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sgt William G Harrell Middle a charter school?

No, Sgt William G Harrell Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sgt William G Harrell Middle a Title I school?

No, Sgt William G Harrell Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sgt William G Harrell Middle?

98.5% of students at Sgt William G Harrell 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

City Safety
High (3,652/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
388
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Hidalgo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MERCEDES ISD
District Enrollment
4,393
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,385
District Rank
#5 of 10

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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