Midway ISD continues its strong academic performance as shown by students who outperformed state and regional averages in nearly every tested grade level and subject while showing year-over-year growth across much of the district, according to final 2025-26 STAAR results presented to the Board of Trustees on Sept. 15.
The district posted overall gains in 12 of 18 tested grade-level and subject areas. The percentage of students reaching Masters, the state’s highest performance level, increased in 13 of the 18 areas.
At the Approaches level, Midway exceeded the state in all 18 tested areas. At Meets and Masters, the district outperformed the state in 34 of 36 comparisons. The only exceptions were eighth-grade math, where many advanced Midway eighth-graders take Algebra I rather than the grade-level assessment. Learn more about what each level means on the TEA STAAR Performance Standards page.
“Strong results do not happen by accident,” Superintendent Dr. Chris Allen said. “They reflect the daily work of our students and teachers, the support of our families and a districtwide commitment to high expectations. We are proud of this progress, and we will keep building on it so every student has the opportunity to succeed at the highest level.”
Results at a glance
• Fourth-grade reading increased 6 percentage points at Meets and 8 points at Masters.
• Seventh-grade reading increased 6 points at Meets and 10 points at Masters.
• Eighth-grade reading increased 8 points at Meets and 5 points at Masters.
• Algebra I reached 95% Approaches, 77% Meets and 52% Masters.
• Biology increased 10 points at Masters, with 53% of students reaching the highest performance level.
Several results also stood well above state averages. Midway’s Masters rate exceeded the state by 20 percentage points in fourth-grade reading, 22 points in fifth-grade reading and Algebra I, and 18 points in Biology.
STAAR is one of several measures the district uses to evaluate student learning. The results help educators identify where instruction is producing strong outcomes, where students need additional support and which strategies should shape campus and district improvement plans.
“The data show meaningful growth, particularly in the number of students reaching Masters,” Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Becky Odajima said. “Our teachers and campus teams are using these results to strengthen instruction, target support and respond to the specific needs of students.”
District and campus teams are using the results to shape improvement plans and instructional support for the 2026-27 school year. Elementary mathematics, middle-grade mathematics and social studies will remain areas of focus.
The final report includes four years of results aligned with the redesigned STAAR assessment, giving district leaders a broader view of performance trends and progress over time.
“Overall, the numbers tell an encouraging story: more Midway students are mastering what they learn, and educators know where to focus next to keep that progress moving forward,” Dr. Odajima said.
