Below Average
#7032 of 8,547 schools in TX
Idea Frontier Academy
Elementary School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2800 S DAKOTA AVE, Brownsville, TX 78521
Enrollment
688
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
688
Student-Teacher
22.9:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brownsville
#32 of 66
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#3,552 of 4,678
In district
#69 of 123
IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
About Idea Frontier Academy
IDEA FRONTIER ACADEMY is a charter elementary school in Brownsville, Texas, serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 688 students and a student-teacher ratio of 22.9:1, IDEA FRONTIER ACADEMY aims to provide personalized attention to each child. The school has 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering academic growth and development.
IDEA FRONTIER ACADEMY's MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.1 out of 10, placing it in the 13th percentile among Texas schools based on its state ranking. Students perform around average for their grade levels: 36% are proficient or above in ELA/reading, and 32% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate areas where additional academic support could benefit students.
IDEA FRONTIER ACADEMY is situated in a mid-size city environment, offering its students access to various community resources and cultural experiences that can complement their education.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Idea Frontier Academy is 22.9:1, 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 Frontier Academy 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Idea Frontier Academy — Students at Idea Frontier Academy score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.1%
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: 4.9/10.
How Idea Frontier Academy Compares
See how Idea Frontier Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 29% (2021).
Location
2800 S DAKOTA AVE, Brownsville, TX 78521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Idea Frontier Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GARZA EL (rated 6.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BRITE EL (rated 4.1/10, 2.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, EL JARDIN EL (rated 4.0/10, 2.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Brownsville, see our Brownsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| IDEA FRONTIER COLLEGE PREPARATORY Brownsville | 0.0 mi | 7.0 |
| LOPEZ EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| SOUTHMOST EL Brownsville | 1.0 mi | 3.0 |
| BESTEIRO MIDDLE Brownsville | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| AIKEN EL Brownsville | 1.1 mi | 3.9 |
| PALM GROVE EL Brownsville | 1.4 mi | 2.9 |
| GARZA EL Brownsville | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| MORNINGSIDE EL Brownsville | 1.8 mi | 3.2 |
| EL JARDIN EL Brownsville | 2.3 mi | 4.0 |
| LUCIO MIDDLE Brownsville | 2.4 mi | 5.3 |
| DEL CASTILLO EL Brownsville | 2.3 mi | 3.9 |
| CHAMPION EL Brownsville | 2.6 mi | 3.9 |
| BRITE EL Brownsville | 2.7 mi | 4.1 |
| CASTANEDA EL Brownsville | 2.7 mi | 3.9 |
| CROMACK EL Brownsville | 2.7 mi | 2.9 |
| PERKINS MIDDLE Brownsville | 3.2 mi | 4.3 |
| VERMILLION ROAD EL Brownsville | 3.7 mi | 3.7 |
| PORTER EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| RIVERA EARLY COLLEGE H S Brownsville | 3.8 mi | 6.0 |
| FAULK MIDDLE Brownsville | 3.5 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78521 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,276
Median Home Value
$90,500
Median Rent
$864/mo
Population
87,860
College Educated
14.8%
Homeownership
59.4%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
30.6%
Median Age
31.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Idea Frontier Academy has a median household income of $41,276. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $90,500, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 30.6%, 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 |
|---|---|
| ADAMS EL Arlington, TX | 4.7 |
| ALICE PONDER EL Mansfield, TX | 4.7 |
| ANAHUAC EL Anahuac, TX | 4.7 |
| BAMMEL EL Houston, TX | 4.7 |
| BASIS BENBROOK Benbrook, TX | 4.7 |
| BLANTON EL Carrollton, TX | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Idea Frontier Academy
What grades does Idea Frontier Academy serve?
Idea Frontier Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Idea Frontier Academy?
Idea Frontier Academy has an enrollment of approximately 688 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Idea Frontier Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Idea Frontier Academy is 22.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Idea Frontier Academy rank in TX?
Idea Frontier Academy is ranked #7032 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Idea Frontier Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Idea Frontier Academy has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Frontier Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Idea Frontier Academy has 32.0% math proficiency and 36.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Idea Frontier Academy a charter school?
Yes, Idea Frontier Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Idea Frontier Academy a Title I school?
No, Idea Frontier Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Idea Frontier Academy?
95.1% of students at Idea Frontier 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,404/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Brownsville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 688
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Cameron County
- Phone
- (956) 541-2002
- 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
- #69 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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