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.
We are making this task easier for you by comparing two excellent middle schools: Lamar Middle School and Mathews Elementary School. We compiled relevant data for you to be able to make an informed decision. Both schools are under the jurisdiction of the AUSTIN ISD.
Lamar Middle School’s regular student population is 1,109 with a 17.5 students/teacher ratio. The student population at Mathews Elementary School is 366 students and a 15.1 students/teacher ratio.
Lamar Middle School performed excellent to earn a State accountability rating of A (90-100) 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 92 in student achievement, 87 in school progress and 85 in closing performance gaps. It scored 90 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, Mathews Elementary School also performed excellent to earn a State accountability rating of A. The school posted 92 in student achievement, 96 in school progress, 95 in closing performance gaps and 96 overall in post-secondary readiness.
| Rating |
A
Excellent
|
|---|---|
| Student Achievement | 92 |
| Student Progress | 87 |
| Closing Performance Gaps | 85 |
| Overall | 90 |
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.
It is in this area where the two schools differ. Lamar Middle School’s four out of seven distinctions are in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and post-secondary. Mathews Elementary School's five out of seven distinctions are in Reading/English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, post-secondary, with 25% student progress and 25% closing performance gaps.
| Distinctions |
|
|---|
| Distinctions |
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Based on Racial/Ethnic Groups, Whites or Caucasians comprise the biggest group at Lamar Middle School. They make up for 59.87% of student population, followed by Hispanics (29.76%), Two or More Races (5.14%), African Americans (2.71%), Asians (2.16%) and Native Americans (0.18%).
The student population at Mathews Elementary School is also predominantly by Whites or Caucasians at 43.72%, followed by Hispanics (36.07%), Asians (7.92%), Two or More Races (7.65%), African Americans (4.10%) and Native Americans (0.55%).
Based on household incomes, the Lamar Middle School’s economically disadvantaged students is significantly lower at 22.18% compared to 34.70% at Mathews Elementary 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, Lamar Middle School has a significantly higher number of English Language Learners comprising 10.55% of its student population compared to 14.48% at Mathews Elementary School.
Lamar Middle School’s bilingual students comprise 10.55%, gifted and talented students, 22.36%, while 15.96% are in the special education program. Mathews Elementary School bilingual students comprise 14.21%, gifted and talented students, 14.48%, and 15.30% are in the special education program.
| Racial/Ethnic Groups | Percentage | Students |
|---|---|---|
| African American | 2.71% | 30 |
| Hispanic | 29.76% | 330 |
| White | 59.87% | 664 |
| Asian | 2.16% | 24 |
| Native American | 0.18% | 2 |
| Two or More Races | 5.14% | 57 |
| Total Students | 100.00% | 1,109 |
| Eco Disadvantaged | 22.18% | 246 |
| Limited English Proficiency | 10.55% | 117 |
| Total Students | 100% | 1,109 |
| Racial/Ethnic Groups | Percentage | Students |
|---|---|---|
| African American | 4.10% | 15 |
| Hispanic | 36.07% | 132 |
| White | 43.72% | 160 |
| Asian | 7.92% | 29 |
| Native American | 0.55% | 2 |
| Two or More Races | 7.65% | 28 |
| Total Students | 100.00% | 366 |
| Eco Disadvantaged | 34.70% | 127 |
| Limited English Proficiency | 14.48% | 53 |
| Total Students | 100% | 366 |
| Program | Percentage | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Bilingual | 10.55% | 117 |
| Gifted & Talented | 22.36% | 248 |
| Special Education | 15.96% | 177 |
| Teacher Student Ratio | 1.58% | 18 |
| Total Students | 100% | 1,109 |
| Program | Percentage | Students |
|---|---|---|
| Bilingual | 14.21% | 52 |
| Gifted & Talented | 14.48% | 53 |
| Special Education | 15.30% | 56 |
| Teacher Student Ratio | 4.13% | 15 |
| Total Students | 100% | 366 |
Lamar Middle School's 63 teachers have been working at the campus for an average of 6.4 years with individual teaching experience averaging 8.4 years. Teachers at Mathews Elementary School, numbering 24 teachers, have been serving the school for an average of 8.3 years with individual teaching experience averaging 8.9 years.
Of its teaching staff, Lamar Middle School has one teacher only serving the school for over 30 years, has five teachers serving the school for 20-30 years, ten teachers have worked for 11-20 years, 21 teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while 25 teachers have been serving the school for over 1-5 years, including two beginning teachers. Mathews Elementary School no teacher serving the school for over 30 years, has four teachers serving the school for 20-30 years, two teachers have worked for 11-20 years, four teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while 11 teachers have been serving the school for over 1-5 years, including three beginning teachers.
In both schools, female teachers outnumber the male teachers. At Lamar Middle School there are 48 female teachers and 14 male teachers. Of its teaching staff, 15 special education teachers are being assisted by 12 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.
At Mathews Elementary School there are 20 female teachers and four male teachers. Of its teaching staff, four 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 two more working as school support staff.
| Metric | Percentage | Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| Over 30 years | 1.58% | 1 |
| 20 - 30 years | 7.89% | 5 |
| 10 - 20 years | 15.46% | 10 |
| 6 - 10 years | 32.33% | 21 |
| 1- 5 years | 39.43% | 25 |
| Beginning Teacher | 3.15% | 2 |
| Teacher Experience Average | 8.4 yrs | |
| Teacher Tenure Average | 6.4 yrs | |
| Total Teachers | 100% | 63 |
| Metric | Percentage | Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| Over 30 years | - | - |
| 20 - 30 years | 16.94% | 4 |
| 10 - 20 years | 8.26% | 2 |
| 6 - 10 years | 16.53% | 4 |
| 1- 5 years | 45.87% | 11 |
| Beginning Teacher | 12.40% | 3 |
| Teacher Experience Average | 8.9 yrs | |
| Teacher Tenure Average | 8.3 yrs | |
| Total Teachers | 100% | 24 |
| Type | Percentage | Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| Female Teachers | 76.81% | 49 |
| Male Teachers | 23.19% | 15 |
| School Admin | 3 | |
| School Support | 3 | |
| Edu Aids | 12 | |
| Special Education | 15 | |
| Total Teachers | 100% | 63 |
| Type | Percentage | Teachers |
|---|---|---|
| Female Teachers | 83.06% | 20 |
| Male Teachers | 16.94% | 4 |
| School Admin | 3 | |
| School Support | 2 | |
| Edu Aids | 5 | |
| Special Education | 4 | |
| Total Teachers | 100% | 24 |
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