Average
#4409 of 8,547 schools in TX
Idea College Prep
High School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
401 S 1ST ST, Donna, TX 78537
Enrollment
785
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
785
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Donna
#2 of 21
public schools
Texas high schools
#1,076 of 1,699
In district
#39 of 123
IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
About Idea College Prep
IDEA College Prep serves grades six through twelve in Donna, a large suburban area in Hidalgo County. The school enrolls 785 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.7 to 1, supported by 47 full-time equivalent teachers. As a charter school, it operates within the public school system while following its own educational model.
Academically, the school is currently working to strengthen student performance across core subjects. In English language arts and reading, 48% of students are performing at or above proficiency levels, while 36% are meeting proficiency benchmarks in mathematics. The school is positioned in the lower half of Texas schools overall, ranking in the 15th percentile statewide—an indication that there is meaningful room for academic growth and improvement in instructional outcomes.
Families considering IDEA College Prep should view the school as one focused on college preparation within a charter framework, though current test results suggest the school is in a period of development and improvement. The suburban setting of Donna provides the school community with access to local resources and services typical of established residential areas in the Rio Grande Valley region.
What Parents Should Know
Idea College Prep 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Idea College Prep — Students at Idea College Prep score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.7%
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: 2.7/10.
How Idea College Prep Compares
See how Idea College Prep performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 21% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 40% (2021).
Location
401 S 1ST ST, Donna, TX 78537
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Idea College Prep may also want to explore other high schools in the area. IDEA COLLEGE PREPARATORY ALAMO (rated 6.2/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Alamo), with a very similar rating. Additionally, DONNA H S (rated 4.6/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Donna, see our Donna schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| IDEA ACADEMY Donna | 0.0 mi | 4.0 |
| 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 College Prep 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 |
|---|---|
| ARISTOI CLASSICAL UPPER SCHOOL Katy, TX | 6.2 |
| EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL Bellaire, TX | 6.2 |
| IDEA BRACKENRIDGE COLLEGE PREPARATORY San Antonio, TX | 6.2 |
| IDEA COLLEGE PREPARATORY ALAMO Alamo, TX | 6.2 |
| IDEA COLLEGE PREPARATORY SAN JUAN San Juan, TX | 6.2 |
| JASPER H S Jasper, TX | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Idea College Prep
What grades does Idea College Prep serve?
Idea College Prep serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Idea College Prep?
Idea College Prep has an enrollment of approximately 785 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Idea College Prep?
The student-teacher ratio at Idea College Prep is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Idea College Prep rank in TX?
Idea College Prep is ranked #4409 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Idea College Prep's MySchoolScout rating?
Idea College Prep has a composite rating of 6.2 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 College Prep?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Idea College Prep has 35.5% math proficiency and 48.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Idea College Prep a charter school?
Yes, Idea College Prep is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Idea College Prep a Title I school?
No, Idea College Prep is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Idea College Prep?
92.7% of students at Idea College Prep 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
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 785
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.7%
- 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
- #39 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.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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