Average
#5357 of 8,547 schools in TX
Idea College Preparatory Pharr
High School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
600 E LAS MILPAS RD, Pharr, TX 78577
Enrollment
863
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
863
Student-Teacher
20.1:1
Score
5.7
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pharr
#11 of 36
public schools
Texas high schools
#1,299 of 1,699
In district
#53 of 123
IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
About Idea College Preparatory Pharr
IDEA College Preparatory Pharr serves 863 students in grades 6 through 12 in Pharr, a small city in Hidalgo County. As a charter public school, it operates with a student-teacher ratio of 20.1:1 and a dedicated teaching staff of 43 full-time equivalent educators. Academically, the school is currently focused on student development and growth.
In reading and language arts, 46% of students are performing at or above proficiency levels, while math proficiency stands at 36% across grade levels. These results reflect an area where IDEA College Preparatory Pharr is working to strengthen its instructional approaches and support systems. The school's overall academic performance places it in the lower percentile range for Texas schools, indicating substantial opportunities for improvement in student achievement across both core subjects.
Despite these academic challenges, the school maintains its mission as a college preparatory institution serving middle and high school students. Families considering IDEA College Preparatory Pharr should look carefully at the school's specific support programs and academic initiatives designed to help students progress toward college and career readiness. The school's location in Pharr provides students with a community-focused educational environment in the Rio Grande Valley region.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Idea College Preparatory Pharr is 20.1:1, 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 College Preparatory 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Idea College Preparatory Pharr — Students at Idea College Preparatory Pharr score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
94.2%
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: 2.9/10.
How Idea College Preparatory Pharr Compares
See how Idea College Preparatory Pharr performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 22% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 38% (2021).
Location
600 E LAS MILPAS RD, Pharr, TX 78577
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Idea College Preparatory Pharr may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HIDALGO EARLY COLLEGE H S (rated 7.1/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Hidalgo), which scores notably higher. Another option is VALLEY VIEW H S (rated 6.6/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, PSJA SOUTHWEST EARLY COLLEGE H S (rated 6.6/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pharr, see our Pharr schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| IDEA ACADEMY PHARR Pharr | 0.0 mi | 3.5 |
| 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 College Preparatory 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 |
|---|---|
| COMPASS ROSE LEGACY San Antonio, TX | 5.7 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL OF DISCOVERY - HOUSTON Houston, TX | 5.7 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL OF INGENUITY-HOUSTON Houston, TX | 5.7 |
| HENDERSON H S Henderson, TX | 5.7 |
| MABANK H S Mabank, TX | 5.7 |
| PEARSALL H S Pearsall, TX | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Idea College Preparatory Pharr
What grades does Idea College Preparatory Pharr serve?
Idea College Preparatory Pharr serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Idea College Preparatory Pharr?
Idea College Preparatory Pharr has an enrollment of approximately 863 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Idea College Preparatory Pharr?
The student-teacher ratio at Idea College Preparatory Pharr is 20.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Idea College Preparatory Pharr rank in TX?
Idea College Preparatory Pharr is ranked #5357 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Idea College Preparatory Pharr's MySchoolScout rating?
Idea College Preparatory Pharr has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Preparatory Pharr?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Idea College Preparatory Pharr has 36.5% math proficiency and 45.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Idea College Preparatory Pharr a charter school?
Yes, Idea College Preparatory Pharr is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Idea College Preparatory Pharr a Title I school?
No, Idea College Preparatory Pharr is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Idea College Preparatory Pharr?
94.2% of students at Idea College Preparatory 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 863
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 94.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Hidalgo County
- Phone
- (956) 283-1515
- 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
- #53 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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