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GreatSchools Rating

McDonald Middle School

Public | 7-8 | 1021 students

Last modified
Community Rating

5 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

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6 reviews of this school


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Posted August 11, 2008

My daughter went to McDonald Middle School and had an awesome experience. I am so thankful for the excellent staff and administration. My daughter did great academically as well as had an awesome middle school experience. Go Mustangs!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 9, 2008

McDonald Middle School is the champagne school in Mesquite and it has always been that way. It has been the school for strong Athletics since it was opened and that is why there is some overcrowding because everyone wants to attend . It is a very diverse school. As a parent, I was very happy with McDonald. The office staff was always nice and friendly to me but the comment in a previous review said the office staff was rude. In any job, when you are dealing with the public, you will have to adjust to the way people talk to you. I am sure the staff had a reason to treat that person the way they did. I have been at the school when parents were cussing in the office in front of school children.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 2, 2008

My kids loved McDonald. Even though it is overcrowded, the admin. and staff do a great job of putting the kids first, which believe me need it, in this area.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 4, 2008

McDonlad is very crowded, the office staff is extremly rude and some teachers need to relaize that our children having feelings. They are unfair in their discipline toward some students. MISD needs to look at the school and work on improvements.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 27, 2008

The school is extremely crowded and there seems to be little interest in the overall education of the children. I would say that the school is boring, and though I am a parent, I think learning should be fun.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 15, 2007

Mcdonald is a good school. I have had 3 kids threw there and 2 more are about to finish there 8th grade year.I like the school i believe the principle there mrs marshall is unfair to certain students and she is not very good with communicating with the parents.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 81% in 2011.

448 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
79%

2009

 
 
78%

2008

 
 
74%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 86% in 2011.

446 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
83%

2010

 
 
84%

2009

 
 
79%

2008

 
 
77%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 94% in 2011.

450 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
87%

2008

 
 
86%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

The state average for Math was 73% in 2011.

469 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
86%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
79%

2008

 
 
74%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 85% in 2011.

470 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
92%

2008

 
 
89%
Science

The state average for Science was 79% in 2011.

478 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
68%

2009

 
 
59%

2008

 
 
66%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 95% in 2011.

473 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
93%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
84%

2008

 
 
88%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students83%
Female83%
Male82%
Black or African American78%
Asiann/a
Hispanic85%
American Indian or Alaska Native80%
White81%
Economically disadvantaged82%
Not economically disadvantaged86%
Special education47%
Not special education85%
Limited English proficient (LEP)70%
Proficient in English83%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant83%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students83%
Female85%
Male81%
Black or African American77%
Asiann/a
Hispanic84%
American Indian or Alaska Native100%
White89%
Economically disadvantaged80%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Special education57%
Not special education85%
Limited English proficient (LEP)55%
Proficient in English87%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant83%
Gifted/talented100%

Writing

All Students93%
Female96%
Male89%
Black or African American89%
Asiann/a
Hispanic94%
American Indian or Alaska Native100%
White95%
Economically disadvantaged92%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Special education68%
Not special education95%
Limited English proficient (LEP)80%
Proficient in English94%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant93%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students86%
Female88%
Male85%
Black or African American79%
Asiann/a
Hispanic87%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White93%
Economically disadvantaged86%
Not economically disadvantaged86%
Special education48%
Not special education88%
Limited English proficient (LEP)65%
Proficient in English88%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant86%
Gifted/talented100%

Reading

All Students91%
Female92%
Male91%
Black or African American85%
Asiann/a
Hispanic92%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White97%
Economically disadvantaged91%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Special education62%
Not special education93%
Limited English proficient (LEP)58%
Proficient in English94%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant91%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students74%
Female67%
Male80%
Black or African American69%
Asiann/a
Hispanic73%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White82%
Economically disadvantaged71%
Not economically disadvantaged84%
Special education26%
Not special education78%
Limited English proficient (LEP)34%
Proficient in English77%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant74%
Gifted/talented100%

Social Studies

All Students93%
Female91%
Male95%
Black or African American91%
Asiann/a
Hispanic93%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White94%
Economically disadvantaged92%
Not economically disadvantaged95%
Special education56%
Not special education96%
Limited English proficient (LEP)71%
Proficient in English94%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant93%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

  • In 2010-2011, this school was rated "Academically Acceptable".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Recognized".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Academically Acceptable".

About the tests


Texas uses Accountability Ratings to indicate the overall performance of each school and district. The ratings are based on TAKS test results, dropout rates for grades 7 and 8 and school completion rates for grades 9 through 12. Schools and districts rated under standard accountability procedures are designated as Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable or Academically Unacceptable. Schools and districts rated under alternative education accountability (AEA) procedures are designated as either AEA: Academically Acceptable or AEA: Academically Unacceptable.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Hispanic 48% 48%
Black 26% 14%
White 23% 34%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1% 4%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 15%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 10%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 13%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 59%N/A55%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 16N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Beginning teachers 11%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 29%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 24%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 22%N/A23%
21 or more years 13%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

2930 Town E Blvd
Mesquite, TX 75150
Website: Click here
Phone: (972) 882-5700

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