Cross Roads Junior High

Tucked away in the piney woods of East Texas near Cedar Creek Lake, Cross Roads Junior High punches well above its weight for a small-town school, landing in the top 5% statewide with particularly strong showings in science and math. Families who want rigorous academics without the noise and sprawl of a big-city district will find a lot to like here — this is the kind of tight-knit community where teachers know students by name and the school genuinely reflects the close community around it. The Malakoff area has a quiet, lake-country charm that draws both longtime locals and families relocating from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex looking for a slower pace without sacrificing educational quality.