Both STISD Middle Schools Claim Spots Among the Best in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Middle School Rankings

U.S. News & World Report recently published its 2024 Best Middle Schools Rankings, which include both South Texas Independent School District (STISD) middle schools among the top-ranked schools in the state. 

Out of 1,935 middle schools ranked in the state of Texas, South Texas ISD Preparatory Academy (Preparatory Academy) in Edinburg ranked 70th and South Texas ISD Rising Scholars Academy (Rising Scholars) in San Benito ranked 115th.

There is no national ranking, according to U.S. News, but there are distinct middle school rankings calculated at the state and district levels, as well as state rankings specific to charter and magnet schools. Within the Texas Magnet School category, Preparatory Academy ranked 11th and Rising Scholars ranked 15th. 

According to U.S. News, for each state, schools were assessed on their shares of students who were proficient or above proficient in their mathematics and reading/language arts state assessments. Half of the formula assessed the scores themselves and the other half incorporated the test results in the context of socioeconomic demographics. The top-ranked schools are all high-achieving and have succeeded at educating all their students.

South Texas ISD is a state- and nationally-recognized public school district offering tuition-free college- and career-preparation to students from Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties. The all-magnet district is comprised of seven secondary campuses within the Rio Grande Valley, including four high schools serving grades 9-12 – South Texas ISD Health Professions (Health Professions) in Mercedes, South Texas ISD Medical Professions (Medical Professions) in Olmito, South Texas ISD Science Academy (Science Academy) in Mercedes, and South Texas ISD World Scholars (World Scholars) in Edinburg – two middle schools serving grades 6, 7 and 8 – South Texas ISD Preparatory Academy (Preparatory Academy) in Edinburg and South Texas ISD Rising Scholars Academy (Rising Scholars Academy) in San Benito – and one stand-alone virtual school serving students in grades 6-11 – South Texas ISD Virtual Academy (Virtual Academy). For additional information, call 1-800-21STUDY or visit www.stisd.net.