Very Good
#1974 of 8,552 schools in TX
Top 23% in state
Vela Middle
Middle School · BROWNSVILLE ISD
4905 PAREDES LINE RD, Brownsville, TX 78521
Enrollment
601
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
601
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
7.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#1,974 of 8,552
In Brownsville
#20 of 66
public schools
In district
#11 of 51
BROWNSVILLE ISD
Equity
9.0 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Vela Middle?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
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Vela Middle
Middle School in Brownsville · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Burns EL
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Promesa College Prep Brownsville
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Vela Middle
Vela Middle is a public middle school in Brownsville, TX, part of BROWNSVILLE ISD. Vela Middle serves approximately 601 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Vela Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,974 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for Vela Middle show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.7 · Very Good
- District avg 7.2
- TX avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Vela Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Vela Middle — Students at Vela Middle score 55% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.5%
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: 7.1/10.
How Vela Middle Compares
See how Vela Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
4905 PAREDES LINE RD, Brownsville, TX 78521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Vela Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. PROMESA COLLEGE PREP BROWNSVILLE (rated 8.8/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HUDSON EL (rated 8.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PAREDES EL (rated 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Brownsville, see our Brownsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BURNS EL Brownsville | 0.3 mi | 8.0 |
| PROMESA COLLEGE PREP BROWNSVILLE Brownsville | 0.4 mi | 8.8 |
| IDEA BROWNSVILLE COLLEGE PREPARATORY Brownsville | 0.5 mi | 7.8 |
| IDEA BROWNSVILLE ACADEMY Brownsville | 0.5 mi | 4.1 |
| PAREDES EL Brownsville | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| GALLEGOS EL Brownsville | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| BREEDEN EL Brownsville | 1.2 mi | 5.7 |
| JUBILEE BROWNSVILLE San Antonio | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| JUBILEE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY San Antonio | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL OF INNOVATION - BROWNSVILLE Brownsville | 1.5 mi | 8.0 |
| HUDSON EL Brownsville | 2.1 mi | 8.6 |
| BENAVIDES EL Brownsville | 2.2 mi | 8.3 |
| IDEA SPORTS PARK COLLEGE PREPARATORY Brownsville | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| IDEA SPORTS PARK ACADEMY Brownsville | 2.5 mi | 7.8 |
| PULLAM EL Brownsville | 2.4 mi | 8.1 |
| HANNA EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
| PREMIER H S OF BROWNSVILLE Lewisville | 2.7 mi | 3.2 |
| KENMONT MONTESSORI SCHOOL Brownsville | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
| IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD CORAM DEO CLASSICAL ACADEMY Brownsville | 2.9 mi | — |
| IDEA ROBINDALE COLLEGE PREPARATORY Brownsville | 2.8 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,276
Median Home Value
$90,500
Median Rent
$864/mo
Population
87,860
College Educated
14.8%
Homeownership
59.4%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
30.6%
Median Age
31.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CANYON J H Canyon, TX | 7.7 |
| CARROLL MIDDLE Southlake, TX | 7.7 |
| CELE MIDDLE Pflugerville, TX | 7.7 |
| CESAR CHAVEZ MIDDLE Mission, TX | 7.7 |
| DOMINGO TREVINO MIDDLE Alton, TX | 7.7 |
| E MERLE SMITH MIDDLE Sinton, TX | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vela Middle
What grades does Vela Middle serve?
Vela Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Vela Middle?
Vela Middle has an enrollment of approximately 601 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Vela Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Vela Middle is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Vela Middle rank in TX?
Vela Middle ranks #1,974 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Vela Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Vela Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Vela Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Vela Middle has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Vela Middle a charter school?
No, Vela Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Vela Middle a Title I school?
No, Vela Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vela Middle?
81.5% of students at Vela 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 601
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Cameron County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.4%
- Phone
- (956) 548-7770
Resources & Links
District
BROWNSVILLE ISD- District Enrollment
- 37,065
- Schools in District
- 56
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,041
- District Rank
- #11 of 51
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
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