Below Average
#6467 of 8,552 schools in TX
Idea Academy
Elementary School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
401 S 1ST ST, Donna, TX 78537
Enrollment
767
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
767
Student-Teacher
24:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#6,467 of 8,552
In Donna
#14 of 21
public schools
In district
#103 of 123
IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Equity
7.1 / 10
Very Good
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Idea Academy
Elementary School in Donna · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Idea College Prep
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
M Rivas Pri Discovery Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Idea Academy
Idea Academy is a public elementary school in Donna, TX, part of IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Idea Academy serves approximately 767 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 24:1 student-teacher ratio. Idea Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #6,467 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for Idea Academy show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 6.1
- TX avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Idea Academy runs 24:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Idea Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Idea Academy — Students at Idea Academy score 39% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
97.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 30 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: 5.2/10.
How Idea Academy Compares
See how Idea Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. CAPT D SALINAS II EL (rated 7.2/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is J W CACERES DISCOVERY INT ACADEMY (rated 6.7/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LE NOIR EL (rated 6.4/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 6.4 |
| M RIVAS PRI DISCOVERY ACADEMY Donna | 0.3 mi | 4.7 |
| J W CACERES DISCOVERY INT ACADEMY Donna | 0.3 mi | 6.7 |
| A P SOLIS MIDDLE Donna | 0.6 mi | 7.8 |
| A M OCHOA EL Donna | 0.8 mi | 4.7 |
| LE NOIR EL Donna | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| C STAINKE EL Donna | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| DORA M SAUCEDA MIDDLE Donna | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| GUZMAN EL Donna | 1.4 mi | 6.2 |
| VETERANS MIDDLE Donna | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| ELOY GARZA SALAZAR EL Donna | 1.8 mi | 5.1 |
| W A TODD MIDDLE Donna | 1.6 mi | 7.1 |
| DONNA H S Donna | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| T PRICE EL Donna | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| VANGUARD MOZART Pharr | 2.2 mi | 5.9 |
| CAPT D SALINAS II EL Donna | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
| MACEDONIAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Alamo | 2.9 mi | 6.5 |
| JULIAN S ADAME Donna | 3.1 mi | 5.6 |
| IDEA COLLEGE PREPARATORY ALAMO Alamo | 3.2 mi | 6.8 |
| IDEA ACADEMY ALAMO Alamo | 3.2 mi | 3.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALVIN EL Alvin, TX | 4.9 |
| ATKINSON EL Houston, TX | 4.9 |
| BEBENSEE EL Arlington, TX | 4.9 |
| CANTON EL Canton, TX | 4.9 |
| CARROLL T WELCH EL El Paso, TX | 4.9 |
| CARTER ACADEMY Houston, TX | 4.9 |
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 ranks #6,467 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Idea Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Idea Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Idea Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Idea Academy has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 17.6%
- Phone
- (956) 464-0203
Resources & Links
District
IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 76,819
- Schools in District
- 123
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,857
- District Rank
- #103 of 123
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.
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