Gladewater Middle

Gladewater Middle sits in the small East Texas city of Gladewater, a town with deep roots in the oil boom era and a tight-knit community feel that's hard to find in bigger metros. The school lands right around the middle of the pack statewide, with science being a relative bright spot, making it a decent fit for families who value a close community over a hyper-competitive academic environment. Life in Gladewater means Friday night football, pine trees, and the kind of place where teachers tend to know students by name — a tradeoff that appeals to families looking for a more personal, small-town school experience.