Very Good
#2118 of 8,552 schools in TX
Top 25% in state
Idea Harlingen Academy
Elementary School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
24240 CHESTER PARK RD, Harlingen, TX 78552
Enrollment
636
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
636
Student-Teacher
21.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#2,118 of 8,552
In Harlingen
#7 of 32
public schools
In district
#34 of 123
IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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Idea Harlingen Academy
Elementary School in Harlingen · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Idea Harlingen College Preparatory
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Gutierrez Middle
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Idea Harlingen Academy
Idea Harlingen Academy is a public elementary school in Harlingen, TX, part of IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Idea Harlingen Academy serves approximately 636 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 21.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Idea Harlingen Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,118 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for Idea Harlingen Academy show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 6.1
- TX avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Idea Harlingen Academy runs 21.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Idea Harlingen Academy 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Idea Harlingen Academy — Students at Idea Harlingen Academy score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 8 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Idea Harlingen Academy Compares
See how Idea Harlingen Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
24240 CHESTER PARK RD, Harlingen, TX 78552
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Idea Harlingen Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DR HESIQUIO RODRIGUEZ EL (rated 7.8/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is WILSON EL (rated 7.7/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HCISD EARLY CHILDHOOD ACADEMY (rated 7.4/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Harlingen, see our Harlingen schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| IDEA HARLINGEN COLLEGE PREPARATORY Harlingen | 0.0 mi | 8.4 |
| GUTIERREZ MIDDLE Harlingen | 0.2 mi | 7.3 |
| JUBILEE HARLINGEN San Antonio | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| DR ABRAHAM P CANO FRESHMAN ACADEMY Harlingen | 1.3 mi | 6.2 |
| CROCKETT EL Harlingen | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| WILSON EL Harlingen | 1.9 mi | 7.7 |
| MOISES VELA MIDDLE Harlingen | 2.1 mi | 7.5 |
| DR HESIQUIO RODRIGUEZ EL Harlingen | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| JEFFERSON EL Harlingen | 2.3 mi | 4.6 |
| LAMAR EL Harlingen | 2.4 mi | 5.0 |
| HARLINGEN H S - SOUTH Harlingen | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| ZAVALA EL Harlingen | 2.3 mi | 7.2 |
| STUART PLACE EL Harlingen | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| EDNA TAMAYO HOUSE Harlingen | 2.6 mi | — |
| DISHMAN EL Harlingen | 3.0 mi | 7.3 |
| BOWIE EL Harlingen | 2.9 mi | 7.2 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harlingen | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| LONG EL Harlingen | 2.9 mi | 4.9 |
| HCISD EARLY CHILDHOOD ACADEMY Harlingen | 2.9 mi | 7.4 |
| AUSTIN EL Harlingen | 2.9 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78552 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,183
Median Home Value
$154,500
Median Rent
$1,054/mo
Population
41,277
College Educated
21.9%
Homeownership
74.7%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
20.6%
Median Age
33.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALDRIDGE EL Richardson, TX | 7.6 |
| ALVORD EL Alvord, TX | 7.6 |
| AUSTIN EL Dayton, TX | 7.6 |
| AUSTIN PARKWAY EL Sugar Land, TX | 7.6 |
| BARANOFF EL Austin, TX | 7.6 |
| BLANCO VISTA EL San Marcos, TX | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Idea Harlingen Academy
What grades does Idea Harlingen Academy serve?
Idea Harlingen Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Idea Harlingen Academy?
Idea Harlingen Academy has an enrollment of approximately 636 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Idea Harlingen Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Idea Harlingen Academy is 21.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Idea Harlingen Academy rank in TX?
Idea Harlingen Academy ranks #2,118 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Idea Harlingen Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Idea Harlingen Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Harlingen Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Idea Harlingen Academy has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).
Is Idea Harlingen Academy a charter school?
Yes, Idea Harlingen Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Idea Harlingen Academy a Title I school?
No, Idea Harlingen Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Idea Harlingen Academy?
86.0% of students at Idea Harlingen 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 636
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Cameron County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.2%
- Phone
- (956) 377-8000
Resources & Links
District
IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 76,819
- Schools in District
- 123
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,857
- District Rank
- #34 of 123
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.
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