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: Smith Middle School and Arnold 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.
Smith Middle School’s regular student population is 1,820 with a 19.5 students/teacher ratio. The student population at Arnold Middle School is 1,437 students and a 15.3 students/teacher ratio.
Smith 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 96 in student achievement, 94 in school progress and an impressive100 in closing performance gaps. It scored 97 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, Arnold Middle School also performed excellent to earn a State accountability rating of A. The school posted 89 in student achievement, 91 in school progress, 92 in closing performance gaps and 91 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.
Both schools garnered all of seven distinction designations or awards for outstanding performance. These are in Reading/English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, post-secondary, with 25% student progress and 25% closing performance gaps.
Based on Racial/Ethnic Groups, Whites or Caucasians comprise the biggest group at Smith Middle School. They make up for 40.38% of student population, followed by Asians (22.03%), Hispanics (21.59%), African Americans (11.37%), Two or More Races (4.01%) and Native Americans (0.33%).
The student population at Arnold Middle School is also predominantly by Hispanics at 43.42%, followed by Whites or Caucasians (23.59%), African Americans (21.71%), Asians (7.38%), Two or More Races (2.64%) and Native Americans (1.18%).
Based on household incomes, the Smith Middle School’s economically disadvantaged students is significantly lower at 13.52% compared to 65.48% at Arnold 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, Smith Middle School has 57 English Language Learners or ELLS or about 3.13% of student population. Arnold Middle School has significantly more ELLs at 185 or about 12.87% of student population.
Smith Middle School’s bilingual students comprise 2.75%, gifted and talented students, 23.85%, while 6.43% are in the special education program. Arnold Middle School bilingual students comprise 11.90%, gifted and talented students, 7.79%, and 11.83% are in the special education program.
Smith Middle School's 93 teachers have been working at the campus for an average of 7.5 years with individual teaching experience averaging 11.2 years. Teachers at Arnold Middle School, numbering 94 teachers, have been serving the school for an average of 9.1 years with individual teaching experience averaging 12.2 years.
Of its teaching staff, Smith Middle School has one teacher only serving the school for over 30 years, has 12 teachers serving the school for 20-30 years, 33 teachers have worked for 11-20 years, 22 teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while 20 teachers have been serving the school for over 1-5 years, including five beginning teachers. Arnold Middle School no teacher serving the school for over 30 years, has 16 teachers serving the school for 20-30 years, 37 teachers have worked for 11-20 years, 19 teachers have worked for 6-10 years, while 20 teachers have been serving the school for over 1-5 years, including two beginning teachers.
In both schools, female teachers outnumber the male teachers. At Smith Middle School there are 69 female teachers and 24 male teachers. Of its teaching staff, eight special education teachers are being assisted by 13 teachers aides or paraprofessionals. In addition to its teaching staff, the school has five staff members in the school administration department and nine more working as school support staff.
At Arnold Middle School there are 75 female teachers and 18 male teachers. Of its teaching staff, ten special education teachers are being assisted by 19 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.
If you are looking to invest in real estate, buy a home or find rental property, neighborhoods and homes near Smith Middle School and Smith Middle School are definitely worth checking out. These prime properties have the advantage and convenience of easy access 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.
Listings near Smith Middle School -> Listings near Arnold Middle School ->