Choosing the right middle school for your children can prove to be a daunting task. Middle school is when children start to flex their growing independence. This is a critical transition period for students. As they assert their independence, their responsibilities increase, they attend multiple classes and their academic performance are closely monitored and graded. Schools focus on preparing them for the more rigorous academic grind in high school.
To make it easier for you to decide on the right middle school for your children, we compared two below average schools: West Dallas Junior High School (DALLAS ISD) and Austin Middle School (IRVING ISD). Check out these schools’ programs and achievements so you can make an informed decision.
West Dallas Junior High School’s regular student population is 353 with a 16.4 students/teacher ratio. The student population at Austin Middle School is 716 students and a 14.4 students/teacher ratio.
West Dallas Junior High School was accorded a State accountability rating of D (60-69) based on three domains: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps. Scores are scaled from 0 to 100 to align with letter grades. The school scored 58 in student achievement, 69 in school progress and 62 in closing performance gaps. It scored 67 overall in post-secondary readiness, a broad term that refers to student preparedness to undertake multiple pathways after graduation, or specifically, their preparedness for college education.
On the other hand, Austin Middle School also earned a State accountability rating of D. The school posted 65 in student achievement, 77 in school progress, 69 in closing performance gaps and 69 overall in post-secondary readiness.
| Rating |
D
Below Average
|
|---|---|
| Student Achievement | 58 |
| Student Progress | 69 |
| Closing Performance Gaps | 62 |
| Overall | 67 |
A distinction designation acknowledges districts and campuses for outstanding achievement based on the outcomes of several performance indicators. Distinction designations are awarded for achievement in several areas and are based on performance relative to a group of campuses of similar type, size, grade span, and student demographics.
Distinction Designations for West Dallas Junior High School and Austin Middle School are not applicable as neither one earned a recognition for outstanding achievement in seven categories.
| Distinctions | 0/7 |
|---|
| Distinctions | 0/7 |
|---|
Based on Racial/Ethnic Groups, Hispanics comprise the biggest group at West Dallas Junior High School. They make up for 62.61% of student population, followed by African Americans (34.84%), Whites or Caucasians (0.85%), Two or More Races (0.85%), Native Americans (0.57%) and Asians (0.28%).
At Austin Middle School, Hispanics make up 90.08% of student population, followed by Whites or Caucasians (4.47%), African Americans (2.79%), Native Americans (1.54%), Asians (0.56%) and Two or More Races (0.56%).
Based on household incomes, West Dallas Junior High School’s economically disadvantaged students is slightly higher at 97.45% compared to 90.64% at Austin Middle School.
In terms of Limited English Proficiency (LEP), a term used in the United States that refers to a person who is not fluent in the English Language, mainly because it is not their native language, West Dallas Junior High School has 131 English Language Learners or ELLS or about 37.11% of student population. Austin Middle School has significantly more ELLs at 475 or about 66.34% of student population.
West Dallas Junior High School’s bilingual students comprise 35.41%, gifted and talented students, 16.71%, while 16.15% are in the special education program. Austin Middle School bilingual students comprise 64.80%, gifted and talented students, 15.36%, and 10.34% are in the special education program.
| Racial/Ethnic Groups | Percentage | Students |
|---|---|---|
| African American | 34.84% | 123 |
| Hispanic | 62.61% | 221 |
| White | 0.85% | 3 |
| Asian | 0.28% | 1 |
| Native American | 0.57% | 2 |
| Two or More Races | 0.85% | 3 |
| Total Students | 100.00% | 353 |
| Eco Disadvantaged | 97.45% | 344 |
| Limited English Proficiency | 37.11% | 131 |
| Total Students | 100% | 353 |
| Racial/Ethnic Groups | Percentage | Students |
|---|---|---|
| African American | 2.79% | 20 |
| Hispanic | 90.08% | 645 |
| White | 4.47% | 32 |
| Asian | 0.56% | 4 |
| Native American | 1.54% | 11 |
| Two or More Races | 0.56% | 4 |
| Total Students | 100.00% | 716 |
| Eco Disadvantaged | 90.64% | 649 |
| Limited English Proficiency | 66.34% | 475 |
| Total Students | 100% | 716 |
| Program | Percentage | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Bilingual | 35.41% | 125 |
| Gifted & Talented | 16.71% | 59 |
| Special Education | 16.15% | 57 |
| Teacher Student Ratio | 4.65% | 16 |
| Total Students | 100% | 353 |
| Program | Percentage | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Bilingual | 64.80% | 464 |
| Gifted & Talented | 15.36% | 110 |
| Special Education | 10.34% | 74 |
| Teacher Student Ratio | 2.01% | 14 |
| Total Students | 100% | 716 |
West Dallas Junior High School's 21 teachers have been working at the campus for an average of 5.2 years with individual teaching experience averaging 6.4 years. Teachers at Austin Middle School, numbering 49 teachers, have been serving the school for an average of 7.1 years with individual teaching experience averaging 10.5 years.
Of its teaching staff, West Dallas Junior High School no teacher serving the school for over 30 years, has two teachers serving the school for 20-30 years, three teachers have worked for 11-20 years, four teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while 12 teachers have been serving the school for over 1-5 years, including one beginning teacher only. Austin Middle School has two teachers serving the school for over 30 years, has four teachers serving the school for 20-30 years, 17 teachers have worked for 11-20 years, ten teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while 12 teachers have been serving the school for over 1-5 years, including five beginning teachers.
In both schools, female teachers outnumber the male teachers. At West Dallas Junior High School there are 13 female teachers and eight male teachers. Of its teaching staff, five special education teachers are being assisted by three teachers aides or paraprofessionals. In addition to its teaching staff, the school has two staff members in the school administration department and four more working as school support staff.
At Austin Middle School there are 39 female teachers and ten male teachers. Of its teaching staff, five special education teachers are being assisted by five teachers aides or paraprofessionals. In addition to its teaching staff, the school has three staff members in the school administration department and three more working as school support staff.
| Metric | Percentage | Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| Over 30 years | - | - |
| 20 - 30 years | 6.98% | 2 |
| 10 - 20 years | 13.95% | 3 |
| 6 - 10 years | 18.60% | 4 |
| 1- 5 years | 55.81% | 12 |
| Beginning Teacher | 4.65% | 1 |
| Teacher Experience Average | 6.4 yrs | |
| Teacher Tenure Average | 5.2 yrs | |
| Total Teachers | 100% | 22 |
| Metric | Percentage | Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| Over 30 years | 3.63% | 2 |
| 20 - 30 years | 7.86% | 4 |
| 10 - 20 years | 34.27% | 17 |
| 6 - 10 years | 20.16% | 10 |
| 1- 5 years | 24.40% | 12 |
| Beginning Teacher | 9.68% | 5 |
| Teacher Experience Average | 10.5 yrs | |
| Teacher Tenure Average | 7.1 yrs | |
| Total Teachers | 100% | 50 |
| Type | Percentage | Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| Female Teachers | 60.47% | 13 |
| Male Teachers | 39.53% | 9 |
| School Admin | 2 | |
| School Support | 4 | |
| Edu Aids | 3 | |
| Special Education | 5 | |
| Total Teachers | 100% | 22 |
| Type | Percentage | Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| Female Teachers | 79.64% | 40 |
| Male Teachers | 20.36% | 10 |
| School Admin | 3 | |
| School Support | 4 | |
| Edu Aids | 5 | |
| Special Education | 5 | |
| Total Teachers | 100% | 50 |
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