Mendez Middle School earns first passing TEA grade in 10 years

Mendez Middle School Meets State Academic Standards for the First Time in a Decade

Mendez Middle School, a Southeast Austin middle school managed by charter school organization Third Future Schools, has met state academic standards for the first time in a decade, according to the latest available Texas Education Agency (TEA) accountability data.

The school received a “B” rating in 2023, as shown in the TEA's recently published state scores. Although the data is two years old, the 2023 scores weren’t released until April 24 due to lawsuits blocking the TEA from disclosing its A-F ratings for 2023 and 2024.

Improved Academic Performance

The jump from an “F” rating in 2019 to a “B” in 2023 is attributed to focusing on classroom instruction, said Zach Craddock, superintendent of Third Future Schools.
“If your good first instruction isn't solid, then you're relying on other intervention,” Craddock said.

Partnership with Austin District

The Colorado-based school charter network partnered with the Austin district to operate Mendez in the fall of 2022 under an 1882 agreement. Since taking over, Third Future has run the school's academics and operations, staffing its own administration and teachers.

Improved Attendance and Future Plans

This year, Mendez had an 86% attendance rate, according to data presented April 24. Last school year, the campus had an 80% attendance rate.
“Most specifically for the students and families in Dove Springs, I firmly believe that when our eighth graders leave us that they are truly and honestly prepared to be successful at Akins or Travis high schools,” Craddock said.

The upcoming school year will be different for Mendez, as sixth graders will return to the campus.
“Two-thirds of our kids will be new to Third Future and what we do,” Craddock said. “We'll have to provide a lot more oversight and coaching. We'll have to be a little more patient.”
Craddock hopes to offer more extracurricular programs with the increased student population.

The Austin school board extended its contract with Third Future last year, partly due to the delayed release of the state accountability scores. Third Future will continue to operate Mendez at least through the end of the 2025-26 school year.