The top reported proficiency rate is 43% in English language arts. The lowest is 38% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Big Spring Int
Big Spring Intermediate serves fifth and sixth grade students in Big Spring, a county-seat city in West Texas anchored by oil-and-gas, healthcare, and public-sector employment. The school is part of Big Spring ISD and sits on the South Goliad campus corridor.
The school's latest state test results show proficiency rates at or below the midpoint among Howard County districts. In sixth-grade math, roughly four in ten students met or exceeded proficiency, while in sixth-grade English language arts, proficiency sits in a similar range. The school reported proficiency data only for sixth grade; fifth-grade results on the STAAR Spanish version fell below the reporting threshold. Across both grades combined, when performance levels are combined, students at "approaches" level (near but not yet at proficiency) make up a majority, while students reaching "meets" or "mastery" levels account for smaller shares. Math mastery is reported at a low rate, as is mastery in social studies. In English, the "meets" threshold is reached by a modest proportion. A parent may want to look into these baseline proficiency levels directly with the school and ask what targeted supports are in place, especially in mathematics.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic and economically disadvantaged. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the broader economic profile of Big Spring. The enrollment is relatively small for an intermediate school, with students split nearly evenly between the two grades.
Big Spring itself is a county-seat community of roughly mid-size population by West Texas standards, positioned at the intersection of Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 87. The city has a long railroad and oil heritage; an oil boom in the 1920s drove much of the downtown's commercial architecture. Today the economy depends on public institutions (Howard College, the Veterans Administration hospital, a federal correctional facility), the Big Spring refinery, and a growing logistics sector tied to the city's highway and rail access. Downtown has undergone revitalization centered on the historic Hotel Settles, which now anchors shopping and restaurants. The city is car-dependent with no public transit; most errands and commutes stay short given Big Spring's compact layout. State parks and local recreation centers provide outdoor amenities.
Housing in the Big Spring area is affordable relative to Texas and national benchmarks. Median home values are well below state and national averages, and rents are modest. The local housing stock is predominantly older, with limited new construction in recent years. Big Spring's population trajectory has been flat to declining over the past several decades, and the city's growth lags comparable communities.
A significant recent development affected the district: in May 2024, voters defeated Big Spring ISD's bond proposal that would have funded a brand-new high school to replace the aging existing structure, plus ancillary improvements. The bond's defeat also meant that a proposed property tax increase did not take effect. For families considering the district, this means high school facilities remain as they currently stand, and the question of facility replacement is unresolved.
The intermediate school itself serves as a feeder to Big Spring High School. State testing data was not available for fifth grade, and the school does not issue a graduation rate (that applies to high schools). Information on English learner enrollment and special education enrollment counts was not provided. A parent evaluating this school should request current enrollment breakdowns for these populations directly from the school and ask about available support services and instructional strategies, particularly given the proficiency profile.
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