Districts were rated on criteria including classroom size, test scores, teacher salaries, library services and pupil expenditures. MISD's mean score for mathematics was 526 and verbal score was 517. The state math score stood at 500 with verbal score at 493. Students nationwide had a mean score of 514 in math and 505 in the verbal section. Ten MISD high school seniors were named National Merit semifinalists in 2000.
Finalists score in the top one percent of students in the nation.
The Midland High Fed Challenge monetary policy competition team placed first in the U.S. in May 2000. The team was one of only eight teams to compete in the National Finals in Washington, DC, presenting to the nation's leading economists including Alan Greenspan. The 2001 team has advanced to regional competition. In addition to ranking nationally on many levels, MISD students were also excelling as athletes. The Midland High Bulldogs were boys basketball state champs in 1998, and district champs from 1997 through 2000.