Very Good
#2802 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 33% in state
Idea Frontier College Preparatory
High School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2800 S DAKOTA AVE, Brownsville, TX 78521
Enrollment
754
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
754
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.0
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Brownsville
#5 of 66
public schools
Texas high schools
#648 of 1,699
In district
#19 of 123
IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Academic performance
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Idea Frontier College Preparatory
IDEA Frontier College Preparatory is a public charter school serving grades 6 through 12 in Brownsville, located in Cameron County. With 754 students and 50 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, providing a moderately sized learning environment. Academically, the school is working to strengthen student achievement across core subjects.
In English Language Arts, 56% of students are performing at proficient levels or above, while mathematics proficiency stands at 50% across grade levels. The school's overall academic score is 6.9 out of 10, and it ranks in the 38th percentile among Texas schools. This reflects opportunities for academic growth and improvement in student outcomes.
As a college preparatory-focused charter school, IDEA Frontier emphasizes preparation for post-secondary success, though current performance data suggests the school is in a development phase regarding standardized achievement benchmarks. The school's location in Brownsville's mid-size city setting provides students with a community-based educational experience while pursuing its college preparation mission.
What Parents Should Know
Idea Frontier College Preparatory 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
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Idea Frontier College Preparatory — Students at Idea Frontier College Preparatory score 42% 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: 3.0/10.
How Idea Frontier College Preparatory Compares
See how Idea Frontier College Preparatory 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 64% (2019) to 35% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 50% (2021).
Location
2800 S DAKOTA AVE, Brownsville, TX 78521
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Idea Frontier College Preparatory may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LOPEZ EARLY COLLEGE H S (rated 6.5/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is PORTER EARLY COLLEGE H S (rated 6.2/10, 3.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, RIVERA EARLY COLLEGE H S (rated 6.0/10, 3.8 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 ACADEMY Brownsville | 0.0 mi | 4.7 |
| 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 College Preparatory 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 |
|---|---|
| BARACK OBAMA MALE LEADERSHIP ACAD AT A MACEO SMITH Dallas, TX | 7.0 |
| BRAZOSPORT H S Freeport, TX | 7.0 |
| EL CAMPO H S El Campo, TX | 7.0 |
| HIRSCHI H S Wichita Falls, TX | 7.0 |
| HOUSTON CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Houston, TX | 7.0 |
| INGLESIDE H S Ingleside, TX | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Idea Frontier College Preparatory
What grades does Idea Frontier College Preparatory serve?
Idea Frontier College Preparatory serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Idea Frontier College Preparatory?
Idea Frontier College Preparatory has an enrollment of approximately 754 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Idea Frontier College Preparatory?
The student-teacher ratio at Idea Frontier College Preparatory is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Idea Frontier College Preparatory rank in TX?
Idea Frontier College Preparatory is ranked #2802 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Idea Frontier College Preparatory's MySchoolScout rating?
Idea Frontier College Preparatory has a composite rating of 7.0 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 College Preparatory?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Idea Frontier College Preparatory has 49.5% math proficiency and 56.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Idea Frontier College Preparatory a charter school?
Yes, Idea Frontier College Preparatory is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Idea Frontier College Preparatory a Title I school?
No, Idea Frontier College Preparatory is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Idea Frontier College Preparatory?
92.7% of students at Idea Frontier College Preparatory 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Brownsville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 754
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.7%
- 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
- #19 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
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Austin, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Dallas, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Fort Worth, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.