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.
When we compared Blalack Middle School, which is a part of Carrollton-farmers Branch ISD, with Polk Middle School, which is a part of Carrollton-farmers Branch ISD, we noted a slight difference in ratings.
Blalack Middle School’s regular student population is one with a 15.7 students/teacher ratio. The student population at Polk Middle School is one students and a 15.1 students/teacher ratio.
Performance Indicators
Blalack Middle School earned a State accountability rating of B (80-89) 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 85 in student achievement, 89 in school progress, and 72 in closing performance gaps. It scored 84 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, Polk Middle School garnered a State accountability rating of C. The school posted 75 in student achievement, 83 in school progress, 70 in closing performance gaps and 79 overall in post-secondary readiness.
B
Good
4/5
85
Student Achievement
89
Student Progress
72
Student Achievement
84
Overall
C
Average
3/5
75
Student Achievement
83
Student Progress
70
Student Achievement
79
Overall
Distinction Designations
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. Blalack Middle School’s three out of seven distinctions are in Science, Social Studies and post-secondary.Polk Middle School’s only distinction designation is in Social Studies.
3/7
Based on 2019 85STAAR Data
Read/ELA
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Post-Secondary
Comparative Academic Growth
Comparative Closing the Gaps
1/7
Based on 2019 75STAAR Data
Read/ELA
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Post-Secondary
Comparative Academic Growth
Comparative Closing the Gaps
Student Demographics
Based on Racial/Ethnic Groups, Hispanics comprise the biggest group at Blalack Middle School. They make up for 46.07% of student population, followed by Whites or Caucasians (23.66%), African Americans (13.70%), Asians (12.36%), Two or More Races (4.02%) and Native Americans (0.19%).
The student population at Polk Middle School is also predominantly Hispanics at 56.54%, followed by African Americans (25.38%), Whites or Caucasians (10.67%), Asians (4.33%), Two or More Races (2.79%) and Native Americans (0.10%).
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, Blalack Middle School and Polk Middle School have no English Language Leaners or ELLS.
In addition, Blalack Middle School has 19.54% bilingual students, 10.25% are in the gifted and talented program, while 13.41% are in the special education program. This stacks up against Polk Middle School with 29.04% bilingual students, 10.29% gifted and talented students and 12.79% students in the special education program.
Racial/Ethnic Groups
Total Students 1,044
African American 13.70% (143 students)
Hispanic 46.07% (481 students)
White 23.66% (247 students)
Asian 12.36% (129 students)
Native American 0.19% (2 students)
Two or More Races 4.02% (42 students)
Economically Disadvantaged 58.62% (612 students)
Limited English Proficiency 19.92% (208 students)
Total Students 1,040
African American 25.38% (264 students)
Hispanic 56.54% (588 students)
White 10.67% (111 students)
Asian 4.33% (45 students)
Native American 0.10% (1 student)
Two or More Races 2.79% (29 students)
Economically Disadvantaged 74.04% (770 students)
Limited English Proficiency 29.71% (309 students)
Program
Bilingual 19.54% (204 students)
Gifted & Talented 10.25% (107 students)
Special Education 13.41% (140 students)
Teacher Student Ratio 1.50% (16 students)
Bilingual 29.04% (302 students)
Gifted & Talented 10.29% (107 students)
Special Education 12.79% (133 students)
Teacher Student Ratio 1.45% (15 students)
Staff Profile
Blalack Middle School’s 66 teachers have been working at the campus for an average of 7.1 years with individual teaching experience averaging 8.9 years. Teachers at Polk Middle School, numbering 69 teachers, have been serving the school for an average of 5.2 years with individual teaching experience averaging 9.2 years.
Of its teaching staff, Blalack Middle School has six teachers serving the school for over 20 years, 21 teachers have worked for 11-20 years, 14 teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while 19 teachers have worked for 1-5 years, including seven beginning teachers. Polk Middle School has seven teachers serving the school for over 20 years, 15 teachers have worked for 11-20 years, 14 teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while 28 teachers have worked for 1-5 years, including five beginning teachers.
In both schools, female teachers outnumber the male teachers. At Blalack Middle School there are 45 female teachers and 22 male teachers.Of its teaching staff, seven special education teachers are being assisted by seven teachers aides or paraprofessionals. In addition to its teaching staff, the school has three staff members in the school administration department and six more working as school support staff.
At Polk Middle School there are 52 female teachers and 17 male teachers.Of its teaching staff, there are seven special education teachers and seven teachers aides or paraprofessionals. The school also employs four staff members working for the school administration and six more working as school support staff.
Experience
Over 20 years 8.73% (6 teachers)
10 - 20 years 31.02% (21 teachers)
6 - 10 years 21.08% (14 teachers)
1- 5 years 29.07% (19 teachers)
Beginning Teacher 10.09% (7 teachers)
Teacher Experience Average 8.9 yrs
Teacher Tenure Average 7.1 yrs
Over 20 years 10.14% (7 teachers)
10 - 20 years 21.74% (15 teachers)
6 - 10 years 20.29% (14 teachers)
1- 5 years 40.58% (28 teachers)
Beginning Teacher 7.25% (5 teachers)
Teacher Experience Average 9.2 yrs
Teacher Tenure Average 5.2 yrs
Teacher Type
Female Teachers 67.17% (45 teachers)
Male Teachers 32.83% (22 teachers)
School Admin 3
School Support 6
Edu Aids 7
Special Education 7
Female Teachers 75.36% (52 teachers)
Male Teachers 24.64% (17 teachers)
School Admin 4
School Support 6
Edu Aids 7
Special Education 7
Homes for Sale & Rent near Blalack Middle School and Polk Middle School
Whether you are looking to invest in real estate, buy a new home or find rental property, neighborhoods and homes near Blalack Middle School and Polk Middle School School are definitely worth checking out. These prime properties are located close to the best medical facilities, office spaces, schools, churches, malls, restaurants, gyms, parks and other recreational establishments.
If any of these properties pique your interest, reach out to our realtors to arrange for an in-person or real-time video tour of a property. One of these could very well turn out to be your new home. Our realtors will help you navigate every step of the home buying process, and insure you find a home that fits your lifestyle and price range.
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