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Needs Improvement

#8186 of 8,547 schools in TX

Idea Academy Pharr

Elementary School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

600 E LAS MILPAS RD, Pharr, TX 78577

Charter

Enrollment

758

Student-Teacher

25.3:1

Score

3.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pharr

#30 of 36

public schools

Texas elementary schools

#4,356 of 4,678

In district

#107 of 123

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

About Idea Academy Pharr

IDEA Academy Pharr serves kindergarten through fifth grade students in the small city of Pharr, Texas. The charter school enrolls 758 students with a student-teacher ratio of 25.3:1 and a teaching staff of 30 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, IDEA Academy Pharr is currently facing significant challenges.

The school's proficiency rates show that 33% of students are meeting grade-level standards in reading and language arts, while 30% are proficient in math. These results indicate substantial room for academic growth across the elementary grades. The school ranks in the bottom percentile of Texas schools, which may be important context as families consider their educational options in the area.

Charter schools like IDEA Academy Pharr often provide alternative approaches to traditional public education, and parents choosing this school should carefully review current academic progress and any improvement initiatives the school has underway. Given the student-teacher ratio and enrollment size, families should ask administrators directly about their strategies for supporting student achievement and what support systems are in place for students who need extra help in core subjects. IDEA Academy Pharr is situated in Pharr's local community, making it a neighborhood school for families in the area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Idea Academy Pharr is 25.3:1, 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 Pharr 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 Progress3.6Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-9.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)24%
vs. Expected-1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.5Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,912

Idea Academy Pharr — Students at Idea Academy Pharr score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

93.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 30.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.0%
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
43%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Idea Academy Pharr Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
4th percentile in TX
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
1.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

600 E LAS MILPAS RD, Pharr, TX 78577

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Idea Academy Pharr may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. JC KELLY EL (rated 9.1/10, 0.3 miles away, in nearby Hidalgo), which scores notably higher. Another option is HIDALGO PARK EL (rated 8.7/10, 0.6 miles away, in nearby Hidalgo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VALLEY VIEW SOUTH EL (rated 8.3/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pharr, see our Pharr schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
IDEA COLLEGE PREPARATORY PHARR Pharr 0.0 mi 5.7
JC KELLY EL Hidalgo 0.3 mi 9.1
HIDALGO PARK EL Hidalgo 0.6 mi 8.7
CESAR CHAVEZ EL Pharr 1.2 mi 3.7
BERTA S PALACIOS EL Pharr 1.2 mi 3.7
CARMEN ANAYA EL Pharr 1.3 mi 4.3
VALLEY VIEW NORTH EL Pharr 1.3 mi 3.0
JAIME ESCALANTE MIDDLE Pharr 1.5 mi 4.5
VALLEY VIEW J H Pharr 1.6 mi 5.2
VALLEY VIEW EL Pharr 1.8 mi 4.4
GRACIELA GARCIA EL Pharr 2.1 mi 3.8
VALLEY VIEW H S Pharr 1.9 mi 6.6
WILBUR E LUCAS EL Pharr 2.3 mi 4.0
PSJA SOUTHWEST EARLY COLLEGE H S Pharr 3.0 mi 6.6
VALLEY VIEW SOUTH EL Pharr 2.8 mi 8.3
KENNEDY MIDDLE Pharr 3.8 mi 5.9
GERALDINE PALMER EL Pharr 3.9 mi 3.4
DIAZ J H Hidalgo 3.7 mi 7.0
HIDALGO EARLY COLLEGE H S Hidalgo 3.9 mi 7.1
VANGUARD VAN GOGH Pharr 4.3 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78577 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,768

Median Home Value

$111,500

Median Rent

$988/mo

Population

79,903

College Educated

17.5%

Homeownership

58.6%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

29.9%

Median Age

29.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Idea Academy Pharr has a median household income of $49,768. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,500, with a median rent of $988/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
ARMSTRONG EL Conroe, TX 3.5
AUGUSTO GUERRA EL Alamo, TX 3.5
BRANDENBURG EL Irving, TX 3.5
BRISCOE EL San Antonio, TX 3.5
CANALES EL Brownsville, TX 3.5
CARROLL EL Houston, TX 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Idea Academy Pharr

What grades does Idea Academy Pharr serve?

Idea Academy Pharr serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Idea Academy Pharr?

Idea Academy Pharr has an enrollment of approximately 758 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Idea Academy Pharr?

The student-teacher ratio at Idea Academy Pharr is 25.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Idea Academy Pharr rank in TX?

Idea Academy Pharr is ranked #8186 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Idea Academy Pharr's MySchoolScout rating?

Idea Academy Pharr has a composite rating of 3.5 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 Pharr?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Idea Academy Pharr has 30.0% math proficiency and 33.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Idea Academy Pharr a charter school?

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

Is Idea Academy Pharr a Title I school?

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

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

93.3% of students at Idea Academy Pharr 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
Elevated (1,362/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
758
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
93.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
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

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