Skip to main content

Average

#4159 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 49% in state

Idea College Prep

High School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

401 S 1ST ST, Donna, TX 78537

Charter

Enrollment

785

Student-Teacher

16.7:1

Score

6.4

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#4,159 of 8,552

In Donna

#6 of 21

public schools

In district

#68 of 123

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Equity

7.3 / 10

Very Good

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Idea College Prep?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Idea College Prep

6.4/10

High School in Donna · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Idea Academy

4.9/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

M Rivas Pri Discovery Academy

4.7/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Idea College Prep

Idea College Prep is a public high school in Donna, TX, part of IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Idea College Prep serves approximately 785 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Idea College Prep has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #4,159 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Idea College Prep show 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • TX avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Idea College Prep 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-9.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.3 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College Readiness8.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation27.1%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment5.0Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,857
Chronic Absenteeism15.5%

Idea College Prep — Students at Idea College Prep score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 62.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 69.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 30 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
89%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
94%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
93%
2012
Math
84%
ELA
86%
2013
Math
79%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
77%
ELA
78%
2015
Math
86%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
50%
ELA
56%
2019
Math
50%
ELA
56%
2020*
Math
21%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
34%
ELA
49%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Idea College Prep Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in TX
Academic
6.7/10
Average
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
5.0/10
Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.4
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered IB Programme
27.1% participation·State avg: 2.4 AP courses·142 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·17 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 6.8/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Alamo), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, DONNA H S (rated 4.9/10, 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 4.9
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
FAIRFIELD H S Fairfield, TX 6.4
FORT STOCKTON HIGH Fort Stockton, TX 6.4
GREENWOOD H S Midland, TX 6.4
IDEA EWING HALSELL COLLEGE PREPARATORY San Antonio, TX 6.4
ILTEXAS GARLAND H S Garland, TX 6.4
LA FERIA EARLY COLLEGE H S La Feria, TX 6.4

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 ranks #4,159 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Idea College Prep's MySchoolScout rating?

Idea College Prep has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 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 College Prep?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Idea College Prep has 63% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.5%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

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.

See how we rate

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.