Skip to main content

Below Average

#7816 of 8,547 schools in TX

Idea Academy

Elementary School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

401 S 1ST ST, Donna, TX 78537

Charter

Enrollment

767

Student-Teacher

24:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Donna

#11 of 21

public schools

Texas elementary schools

#4,074 of 4,678

In district

#89 of 123

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

About Idea Academy

IDEA Academy is a public charter school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Donna, a large suburban community in Hidalgo County. The school enrolls 767 students with a student-teacher ratio of 24:1, supported by 32 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, IDEA Academy is currently working through significant challenges with room for growth.

Across the elementary grades, about 40% of students are meeting proficiency standards in reading and language arts, while roughly 30% are proficient in math. These results place the school in the lower range statewide, ranking in the 8th percentile among Texas schools. The school's overall MySchoolScout rating reflects these academic performance metrics.

For families considering IDEA Academy, it's important to understand that the school is in a development phase and may be implementing improvements to raise student achievement. Parents should feel comfortable discussing the school's academic plans and support systems with administrators to understand what resources are available for their children. Located at 401 S 1st Street in Donna, IDEA Academy serves families in this growing suburban area of the Rio Grande Valley.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Idea Academy is 24:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Idea Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-9.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected+4.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.6Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,912

Idea Academy — Students at Idea Academy score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

97.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 29.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
34%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.7/10.

How Idea Academy Compares

See how Idea Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
9th percentile in TX
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
3.7/10
Below average
Environment
1.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

401 S 1ST ST, Donna, TX 78537

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Idea Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. J W CACERES DISCOVERY INT ACADEMY (rated 6.7/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is T PRICE EL (rated 5.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, IDEA ACADEMY ALAMO (rated 4.4/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Alamo), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Donna, see our Donna schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.2 mi
School Distance Rating
IDEA COLLEGE PREP Donna 0.0 mi 6.2
M RIVAS PRI DISCOVERY ACADEMY Donna 0.3 mi 3.0
J W CACERES DISCOVERY INT ACADEMY Donna 0.3 mi 6.7
A P SOLIS MIDDLE Donna 0.6 mi 3.8
A M OCHOA EL Donna 0.8 mi 4.0
LE NOIR EL Donna 1.0 mi 4.1
C STAINKE EL Donna 1.0 mi 3.4
DORA M SAUCEDA MIDDLE Donna 1.1 mi 5.5
GUZMAN EL Donna 1.4 mi 2.4
VETERANS MIDDLE Donna 1.6 mi 4.1
ELOY GARZA SALAZAR EL Donna 1.8 mi 3.8
W A TODD MIDDLE Donna 1.6 mi 4.5
DONNA H S Donna 1.8 mi 4.6
T PRICE EL Donna 2.0 mi 5.0
VANGUARD MOZART Pharr 2.2 mi 4.1
CAPT D SALINAS II EL Donna 2.7 mi 4.0
MACEDONIAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Alamo 2.9 mi 6.5
JULIAN S ADAME Donna 3.1 mi 2.9
IDEA COLLEGE PREPARATORY ALAMO Alamo 3.2 mi 6.2
IDEA ACADEMY ALAMO Alamo 3.2 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78537 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$36,331

Median Home Value

$74,700

Median Rent

$744/mo

Population

51,346

College Educated

10.3%

Homeownership

73.3%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

41.4%

Median Age

25.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Idea Academy has a median household income of $36,331. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $74,700, with a median rent of $744/month. The area has a poverty rate of 41.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
A M OCHOA EL Donna, TX 4.0
ANDERSON EL Houston, TX 4.0
BELLAIRE EL San Antonio, TX 4.0
CAPT D SALINAS II EL Donna, TX 4.0
CHARLOTTE COX EL Cedar Park, TX 4.0
CLOVERLEAF EL Houston, TX 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Idea Academy

What grades does Idea Academy serve?

Idea Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Idea Academy?

Idea Academy has an enrollment of approximately 767 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Idea Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Idea Academy is 24:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Idea Academy rank in TX?

Idea Academy is ranked #7816 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Idea Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Idea Academy has a composite rating of 4.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Idea Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Idea Academy has 29.5% math proficiency and 40.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Idea Academy a charter school?

Yes, Idea Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Idea Academy a Title I school?

No, Idea Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Idea Academy?

97.8% of students at Idea Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (6,078/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Donna). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
767
Student-Teacher Ratio
24:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
97.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Hidalgo County
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.