Daniel Ortiz, Jr. Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 900 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. There are three academic wings, one per grade level, as well as a wing dedicated to our performing and visual arts program.

Our school library is the first thing you see when you walk through the front door of the rotunda. It is equipped with approximately 20,000 books, including non-fiction, fiction, reference, and professional books. Additionally, the library's online catalog can be accessed from twelve computers which are available on the library floor.

As a Magnet school for the performing and visual arts, we now offer a wide array of classes: band, drum line, orchestra, choir, piano, ballet folklorico, mariachi, dance, theater arts, and visual arts. Each program is leveled to meet the needs of our talented students. Student performances are held throughout the year, including winter concerts, Black History program, Noche Latina, and end of year concerts, plays, and dance showcases. Our visual arts students help make props and scenery for most performances. The majority of performances are held in our auditorium with a seating capacity of 400 people. The auditorium also includes dressing rooms and a prop storage area. 

With our new designation as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, we offer students learning experiences with a global perspective, instilling in our students the desire to develop international-mindedness as guardians of the planet, and to become lifelong learners. As an IB campus, all of our students take Design (provided through our technology classes), a performing and/or visual arts class, and a language acquisition course (Spanish or French) every year of the programme.

Community service is a large part of the IB school culture. Our students participate in schoolwide community service projects so that they are prepared for the development and completion of their own community service project in 8th grade.

We are collaborating with other neighborhood schools to provide an IB continuum so that our students can experience the IB programmes from elementary through high school.

We're very proud of our PE/Athletic Department. Please take time to look at the PE/Athletic web pages to view information regarding our Eagle sports teams. We have a performance gym and a practice gym with electronic scoreboards and a wireless sound system.

Our cafeteria is an inviting, open area, seating 400 students at a time. It offers a nutritious and balanced menu provided by HISD's Food Services Department and a snack bar. We also have an outdoor patio area where students can enjoy their lunch on good weather days.