Best Schools in Mercedes, Texas
15 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 6 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Mercedes?
Use this page to compare every school in Mercedes by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
South Texas ISD Science Academy
High · South Texas ISD. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
South Texas ISD Health Professions
High · South Texas ISD. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Mercedes Early College Academy
High · Mercedes ISD. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Mercedes for 2026 are South Texas ISD Science Academy (9.3/10), South Texas ISD Health Professions (8.7/10), and Mercedes Early College Academy (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 12 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
15
14 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$83,400
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
15
14 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.7
out of 10
Median Home
$83,400
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 5.8/10 despite 96% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 0.9 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Mercedes schools.
STAAR proficiency rose +8.7 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Mercedes schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Mercedes
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (12 of 15). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Texas ISD Science Academy | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | South Texas ISD Health Professions | 8.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Mercedes Early College Academy | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Ruben Hinojosa EL | 6.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Taylor EL | 5.8 / 10 |
| 6 | John F Kennedy EL | 5.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Mercedes Academic Academy | 5.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Triumph Public High Schools-mercedes | 5.2 / 10 |
| 9 | Sgt Manuel Chacon Middle | 4.9 / 10 |
| 10 | Sgt William G Harrell Middle | 4.6 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.7/10
- Median household income
- $39,890
- Median home value
- $83,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 12%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
15% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Mercedes compares
Texas rank
#502 of 654
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below Texas avg (6.3)
Median household income
$40k
54% of Texas median
Schools in this city
13
About Schools in Mercedes, Texas
Mercedes, Texas is home to 15 schools, including 14 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 6 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.7 out of 10, schools in Mercedes show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Mercedes is South Texas ISD Science Academy with a composite score of 9.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Mercedes is served by 3 school districts: TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-RIO GRANDE VALLEY, MERCEDES ISD, SOUTH TEXAS ISD. These districts collectively serve 9,389 students.
Mercedes's community shows 12% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $39,890. The poverty rate in the area is 34.5%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 487 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 2 | 426 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.8 | ||
| 3 | 414 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.4 | ||
| 4 | 494 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.3 | ||
Private Schools1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Immanuel Lutheran SchoolPrivate 15 students · Pre-K–5th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 587 students · 6th–8th | 4.9 |
| 2 | 388 students · 6th–8th | 4.6 |
High Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 846 students · 9th–12th | 9.3 |
| 2 | 797 students · 9th–12th | 8.7 |
| 3 | 349 students · 9th–12th | 6.9 |
| 4 | 148 students · 9th–12th | 5.3 |
| 5 | 101 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
| 6 | 895 students · 8th–12th | 3.8 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 205 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.0 |
| 2 | 181 students · 6th–11th | — |
Schools in Mercedes
Mercedes, Texas · 15 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$39,890
Median Home Value
$83,400
Median Rent
$686/mo
Population
33,596
College Educated
12%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
34.5%
Community Profile
Mercedes has a median household income of $39,890. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $83,400, with a median rent of $686/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Texas
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 6
- Other
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Texas
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Mercedes, Texas
How many schools are in Mercedes, Texas?
Mercedes has 15 schools, including 14 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Mercedes, Texas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Mercedes is 5.7 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Mercedes, Texas?
The top-ranked school in Mercedes on MySchoolScout is South Texas ISD Science Academy with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Mercedes, Texas?
The top-ranked elementary school in Mercedes on MySchoolScout is Ruben Hinojosa EL with a composite score of 6.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Mercedes, Texas?
The top-ranked middle school in Mercedes on MySchoolScout is Sgt Manuel Chacon Middle with a composite score of 4.9/10.
What is the best high school in Mercedes, Texas?
The top-ranked high school in Mercedes on MySchoolScout is South Texas ISD Science Academy with a composite score of 9.3/10.
How many school districts serve Mercedes, Texas?
Mercedes is served by 3 school districts: Triumph Public High Schools-rio Grande Valley, Mercedes ISD, South Texas ISD.
What is the education level in Mercedes, Texas?
According to Census data, 12% of adults in Mercedes have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Mercedes, Texas?
The median household income in Mercedes is approximately $39,890 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Mercedes, Texas?
Yes, Mercedes has 1 private school alongside 14 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Mercedes, Texas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Mercedes is 15.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Mercedes, 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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
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- Best Schools in Austin, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Dallas, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Fort Worth, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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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.