Below Average
#7816 of 8,547 schools in TX
Idea Academy
Elementary School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
401 S 1ST ST, Donna, TX 78537
Enrollment
767
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
767
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Idea Academy — Students at Idea Academy score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 34% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (956) 464-0203
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 76,819
- Schools in District
- 123
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,857
- District Rank
- #89 of 123
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.
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