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Very Good

#2183 of 8,547 schools in TX

Top 26% 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

7.3

Grades

6th – 9th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harlingen

#4 of 32

public schools

Texas middle schools

#428 of 1,693

In district

#14 of 123

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

School environment

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Idea Harlingen College Preparatory

IDEA Harlingen College Preparatory is a charter middle school located in the mid-size suburb of Harlingen, Texas. With an enrollment of 350 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, the school offers personalized attention to each student. IDEA Harlingen serves grades six through nine, providing a solid foundation for high school and beyond.

The academic performance at IDEA Harlingen College Preparatory is currently rated at 4.8 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 37th percentile among Texas schools. In terms of standardized test scores, 37% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 27% meet proficiency standards in math. These numbers indicate areas for improvement but also highlight the school's focus on student development.

IDEA Harlingen College Preparatory is situated in a supportive suburban setting that fosters a sense of community among its students and families.

What Parents Should Know

Idea Harlingen 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

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.8Above Average58%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+4.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent42%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,912

Idea Harlingen College Preparatory — Students at Idea Harlingen College Preparatory score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 27.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 2 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

How Idea Harlingen College Preparatory Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
75th percentile in TX
Academic
6.8/10
6.8/10
Environment
8.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

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 5.1/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, GUTIERREZ MIDDLE (rated 4.7/10, 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 6.0
GUTIERREZ MIDDLE Harlingen 0.2 mi 4.7
JUBILEE HARLINGEN San Antonio 1.3 mi 4.4
DR ABRAHAM P CANO FRESHMAN ACADEMY Harlingen 1.3 mi 5.8
CROCKETT EL Harlingen 1.7 mi 4.5
WILSON EL Harlingen 1.9 mi 6.8
MOISES VELA MIDDLE Harlingen 2.1 mi 5.1
DR HESIQUIO RODRIGUEZ EL Harlingen 2.1 mi 4.4
JEFFERSON EL Harlingen 2.3 mi 3.8
LAMAR EL Harlingen 2.4 mi 5.9
HARLINGEN H S - SOUTH Harlingen 2.4 mi 8.0
ZAVALA EL Harlingen 2.3 mi 4.5
STUART PLACE EL Harlingen 2.5 mi 4.4
EDNA TAMAYO HOUSE Harlingen 2.6 mi
DISHMAN EL Harlingen 3.0 mi 3.5
BOWIE EL Harlingen 2.9 mi 4.6
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harlingen 2.8 mi 6.4
LONG EL Harlingen 2.9 mi 5.1
HCISD EARLY CHILDHOOD ACADEMY Harlingen 2.9 mi 6.9
AUSTIN EL Harlingen 2.9 mi 4.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Idea Harlingen College Preparatory has a median household income of $67,183. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $154,500, with a median rent of $1,054/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
ATLANTA MIDDLE Atlanta, TX 7.3
BROWNFIELD MIDDLE Brownfield, TX 7.3
CHANDLER INT Chandler, TX 7.3
DAINGERFIELD J H Daingerfield, TX 7.3
DR FREDERICK HAYNES III GLOBAL PREP AT PAUL QUINN Dallas, TX 7.3
DR TERRY ROBBINS MIDDLE Lufkin, TX 7.3

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 is ranked #2183 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Idea Harlingen College Preparatory's MySchoolScout rating?

Idea Harlingen College Preparatory has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Harlingen College Preparatory?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Idea Harlingen College Preparatory has 27.0% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (2,994/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harlingen). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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