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Excellent

#850 of 8,552 schools in TX

Top 10% in state

Idea Harlingen College Preparatory

Middle School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

24240 CHESTER PARK RD, Harlingen, TX 78552

Charter

Enrollment

350

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

8.4

Grades

6th – 9th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#850 of 8,552

In Harlingen

#3 of 32

public schools

In district

#4 of 123

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Idea Harlingen College Preparatory

8.4/10

Middle School in Harlingen · grades 6th – 9th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Idea Harlingen Academy

7.6/10

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

Gutierrez Middle

7.3/10

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

About Idea Harlingen College Preparatory

Idea Harlingen College Preparatory is a public middle school in Harlingen, TX, part of IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Idea Harlingen College Preparatory serves approximately 350 students, and covers grades 6th-9th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Idea Harlingen College Preparatory has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #850 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Idea Harlingen College Preparatory show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.3
  • TX avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Idea Harlingen College Preparatory 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 metrics
Student Progress9.9Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+3.32 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.1Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39% (2024 STAAR)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51% (2024 STAAR)
Math vs. State Avg-4.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.3 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2024 STAAR, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2024 STAAR)
vs. Expected+7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,857
Chronic Absenteeism20.6%

Idea Harlingen College Preparatory — Students at Idea Harlingen College Preparatory score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 34.2% (multi-year average, 2020-2024)
School
State
43.6% (2024 STAAR)
ELA Proficiency 43.9% (multi-year average, 2020-2024)
School
State
54.3% (2024 STAAR)

Based on 8 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2020*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
43.9%
ELA
50.6%
2024
Math
39%
ELA
51%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Idea Harlingen College Preparatory Compares

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

Overall Score
8.4/10
90th percentile in TX
Academic
7.1/10
Very Good
Growth
9.9/10
Excellent
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.6%

Location

24240 CHESTER PARK RD, Harlingen, TX 78552

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Idea Harlingen College Preparatory may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MOISES VELA MIDDLE (rated 7.5/10, 2.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, GUTIERREZ MIDDLE (rated 7.3/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Harlingen, see our Harlingen schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
IDEA HARLINGEN ACADEMY Harlingen 0.0 mi 7.6
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
BRAZOS MIDDLE Wallis, TX 8.4
BULLARD MIDDLE Bullard, TX 8.4
EARLY MIDDLE Early, TX 8.4
FOREST PARK MAGNET SCHOOL Longview, TX 8.4
IDEA HEALTH PROFESSIONS COLLEGE PREPARATORY Austin, TX 8.4
JIM NED MIDDLE Tuscola, TX 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Idea Harlingen College Preparatory

What grades does Idea Harlingen College Preparatory serve?

Idea Harlingen College Preparatory serves students in grades 6th through 9th.

How many students attend Idea Harlingen College Preparatory?

Idea Harlingen College Preparatory has an enrollment of approximately 350 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Idea Harlingen College Preparatory?

The student-teacher ratio at Idea Harlingen College Preparatory is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Idea Harlingen College Preparatory rank in TX?

Idea Harlingen College Preparatory ranks #850 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Idea Harlingen College Preparatory's MySchoolScout rating?

Idea Harlingen College Preparatory has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Harlingen College Preparatory?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Idea Harlingen College Preparatory has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2024).

Is Idea Harlingen College Preparatory a charter school?

Yes, Idea Harlingen 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 Harlingen College Preparatory a Title I school?

No, Idea Harlingen College Preparatory is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Idea Harlingen College Preparatory?

86.3% of students at Idea Harlingen 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 9th
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Cameron County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.6%

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