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 above average middle schools: Watkins Middle School and Cook Middle School. We compiled relevant data for you to be able to make an informed decision. Both schools are under the jurisdiction of the CYPRESS-FAIRBANKS ISD.
Watkins Middle School’s regular student population is 1,520 with a 16 students/teacher ratio. The student population at Cook Middle School is 1,451 students and a 16 students/teacher ratio.
Watkins 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 75 in student achievement, 84 in school progress and 73 in closing performance gaps. It scored 81 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, Cook Middle School also earned a State accountability rating of B. The school posted 85 in student achievement, 90 in school progress, 87 in closing performance gaps and 89 overall in post-secondary readiness.
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.
Cook Middle School's seven out of seven distinctions are in Reading/English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, post-secondary, with 25% student progress and 25% closing performance gaps. Watkins Middle School has no distinction.
Based on Racial/Ethnic Groups, Hispanics comprise the biggest group at Watkins Middle School. They make up for 56.78% of student population, followed by African Americans (24.14%), Whites or Caucasians (9.47%), Asians (5.99%), Two or More Races (1.97%) and Native Americans (1.51%).
At Cook Middle School, Hispanics are the biggest group, comprising 55.89% of student population, followed by Whites or Caucasians (16.13%), African Americans (12.13%), Asians (11.58%), Two or More Races (3.03%) and Native Americans (1.10%).
Based on household incomes, Watkins Middle School’s economically disadvantaged students is significantly higher at 75.79% compared to 63.82% at Cook 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, Watkins Middle School has 251 English Language Learners or ELLS or about 16.51% of student population. Cook Middle School has more ELLs at 260 or about 17.92% of student population.
In addition, Watkins Middle School has 14.47% bilingual students, 3.68% are in the gifted and talented program, while 11.64% are in the special education program. This stacks up against Cook Middle School with 16.54% bilingual students, 9.37% gifted and talented students and 11.37% students in the special education program.
Watkins Middle School's 94 teachers have been working at the campus for an average of 6.9 years with individual teaching experience averaging 8.8 years. Teachers at Cook Middle School, numbering 90 teachers, have been serving the school for an average of 6.8 years with individual teaching experience averaging 11 years.
Of its teaching staff, Watkins Middle School has three teachers serving the school for over 30 years, has six teachers serving the school for 20-30 years, 18 teachers have worked for 11-20 years, 17 teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while 40 teachers have been serving the school for over 1-5 years, including ten beginning teachers. Cook Middle School has three teachers serving the school for over 30 years, has 15 teachers serving the school for 20-30 years, 22 teachers have worked for 11-20 years, 11 teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while 28 teachers have been serving the school for over 1-5 years, including 11 beginning teachers.
In both schools, female teachers outnumber the male teachers. At Watkins Middle School there are 70 female teachers and 24 male teachers. Of its teaching staff, 11 special education teachers are being assisted by 17 teachers aides or paraprofessionals. In addition to its teaching staff, the school has five staff members in the school administration department and 14 more working as school support staff.
At Cook Middle School there are 66 female teachers and 23 male teachers. Of its teaching staff, 12 special education teachers are being assisted by 18 teachers aides or paraprofessionals. In addition to its teaching staff, the school has five staff members in the school administration department and 13 more working as school support staff.
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