Best Schools in Harlingen, Texas
38 schools · 23 Elementary · 6 Middle · 7 High · 2 Other
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.6/10
- Median household income
- $59,354
- Median home value
- $137,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 22%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 64%
14% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Harlingen compares
Texas rank
#561 of 654
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Texas avg (6.2)
Median household income
$59k
80% of Texas median
Schools in this city
36
About Schools in Harlingen, Texas
Harlingen's public school system spans 32 ranked campuses, covering elementary through high school. The city's average school score is 5.4 out of 10 — a number that reflects a wide performance range underneath it. A portion of schools pull well above that average while others cluster near or below it. Parents who compare campuses carefully will find the spread significant.
Four schools, 12% of Harlingen's ranked total, score 7.0 or higher. Harlingen School of Health Professions leads the city with an 8.4 — the top score among all ranked campuses and a strong fit for students drawn to healthcare and science pathways. Harlingen H S - South follows at 8.0, making it the city's second-highest-rated school and a competitive choice at the secondary level. Harlingen H S earns a 7.0, rounding out three high-performing high school options inside one city — an unusual concentration that gives families with older students real alternatives within reach. At the middle school level, IDEA Harlingen College Preparatory scores 7.2, the highest-rated middle campus in the ranked set. Wilson Elementary earns a 6.8, the top score among ranked elementary schools.
The concentration of high performers at the high school level stands out. Three of the four 7+ schools serve grades 9–12, which means families with younger children are navigating a more uneven elementary and middle school picture. With a citywide average of 5.4, school selection carries more weight in Harlingen than in cities where performance is consistently strong across all grade levels.
Practically, zoning determines default placement, but Harlingen's charter option — IDEA Harlingen College Preparatory — gives middle school families a high-performing alternative worth applying for early. Parents of elementary-aged students should compare individual campus scores rather than treating neighborhood schools as interchangeable. The top-rated campuses exist at every level; finding them requires active comparison rather than relying on proximity alone.
Elementary Schools
23 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 218 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 6.9 | ||
| 2 | 379 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 | ||
| 3 | 301 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 4 | 713 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.1 | ||
| 5 | 334 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.0 | ||
| 6 | 636 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.0 | ||
| 7 | 426 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.9 | ||
| 8 | 528 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.2 | ||
| 9 | 513 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.1 | ||
| 10 | 829 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.9 | ||
| 11 | 316 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.6 | ||
| 12 | 272 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.5 | ||
| 13 | 308 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.5 | ||
| 14 | 582 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.4 | ||
| 15 | 625 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.4 | ||
| 16 | 301 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.1 | ||
| 17 | 255 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.8 | ||
| 18 | 321 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.5 | ||
| 19 | 416 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.4 | ||
| 20 | 370 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.3 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | ST ALBANS EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL
Private
131 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Private
72 students · Pre-K–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 3 | CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Private
140 students · Kindergarten–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 350 students · 6th–9th | 7.3 |
| 2 | 696 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 3 | 741 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
| 4 | 717 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
| 5 | 744 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
| 6 | 806 students · 6th–8th | 4.7 |
High Schools
7 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 377 students · 8th–12th | 8.3 | ||
| 2 | 1,600 students · 9th–12th | 8.0 | ||
| 3 | 1,931 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 | ||
| 4 | 88 students · 6th–12th | 6.3 | ||
| 5 | 360 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 | ||
| 6 | 2 students · 9th–12th | — | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | MARINE MILITARY ACADEMY
Private
225 students · 7th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,035 students · 9th–9th | 5.8 |
| 2 | 10 students · 9th–11th | — |
Schools in Harlingen
Harlingen, Texas · 38 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$59,354
Median Home Value
$137,500
Median Rent
$959/mo
Population
95,446
College Educated
22%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
22.5%
Community Profile
Harlingen has a median household income of $59,354. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $137,500, with a median rent of $959/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Quick Facts
- State
- Texas
- Total Schools
- 38
- Elementary
- 23
- Middle
- 6
- High
- 7
- Districts
- 3
- Avg Rating
- 5.6/10
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Texas
Top metros statewide by school count.
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Harlingen, Texas
How many schools are in Harlingen, Texas?
Harlingen has 38 schools, including 34 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Harlingen, Texas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Harlingen is 5.6 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.
What is the top-ranked school in Harlingen, Texas?
The top-ranked school in Harlingen on MySchoolScout is Harlingen School of Health Professions with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Harlingen, Texas?
The top-ranked elementary school in Harlingen on MySchoolScout is St Albans Episcopal Day School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Harlingen, Texas?
The top-ranked middle school in Harlingen on MySchoolScout is Idea Harlingen College Preparatory with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best high school in Harlingen, Texas?
The top-ranked high school in Harlingen on MySchoolScout is Harlingen School of Health Professions with a composite score of 8.3/10.
How many school districts serve Harlingen, Texas?
Harlingen is served by 3 school districts: Horizon Montessori Public Schools, Idea Public Schools, Harlingen CISD.
What is the education level in Harlingen, Texas?
According to Census data, 22% of adults in Harlingen have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Harlingen, Texas?
The median household income in Harlingen is approximately $59,354 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Harlingen, Texas?
Yes, Harlingen has 4 private schools alongside 34 public schools. The top-rated private school is St Albans Episcopal Day School with a score of 7.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Harlingen, Texas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Harlingen is 13.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Harlingen, Texas?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Texas Education Agency, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.