Middle Schools in Mercedes Independent School District (Isd)

The Mercedes Independent School District (ISD) in Texas is home to two middle schools serving grades 6-8: Sgt Manuel Chacon Middle and Sgt William G Harrell Middle. Both schools face significant challenges, with academic performance well below the state average on standardized tests and high poverty levels among the student population.

Sgt Manuel Chacon Middle and Sgt William G Harrell Middle have student populations that are predominantly Hispanic, with 98.76% and 96.45% Hispanic enrollment, respectively. However, Sgt William G Harrell Middle has a slightly higher percentage of White students at 3.55%, compared to just 1.07% at Sgt Manuel Chacon Middle. Both schools perform poorly on STAAR tests, with only 21.39% of 8th-grade students at Sgt Manuel Chacon Middle and 14.55% at Sgt William G Harrell Middle achieving proficiency or better in reading, far below the state average of 54.09%.

The high poverty levels at these schools, with over 87% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, may contribute to the academic challenges. Despite the relatively high per-student spending of over $11,000 at both schools, their statewide rankings have declined, with Sgt William G Harrell Middle now ranking in the bottom 10% of Texas middle schools. The Mercedes ISD will need to implement comprehensive strategies to address the educational needs of its middle school students and improve academic outcomes.