Needs Improvement
#7901 of 8,547 schools in TX
Idea Mcallen Academy
Elementary School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
201 N BENTSEN RD, Mcallen, TX 78501
Enrollment
772
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
772
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mcallen
#36 of 37
public schools
Texas elementary schools
#4,134 of 4,678
In district
#91 of 123
IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Academic performance
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Idea Mcallen Academy
IDEA McAllen Academy is a public charter school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in McAllen, Texas. With 772 students and 32 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24.1:1, providing students with classroom support as they develop foundational skills. Academically, the school is working to strengthen performance in core subjects.
Currently, about 48% of students are meeting proficiency standards in ELA/Reading, while 42% are proficient or above in Math. These results indicate areas where the school is focusing on student growth and development. The school's overall academic standing places it in the lower percentile statewide, with room for improvement in supporting student achievement.
As a charter school, IDEA McAllen Academy operates under a different governance model than traditional public schools, which can offer flexibility in curriculum and teaching approaches. The school is located in McAllen, a vibrant mid-size city in South Texas, serving families in the broader community.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Idea Mcallen Academy is 24.1:1, 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 Mcallen 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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Idea Mcallen Academy — Students at Idea Mcallen Academy score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.6%
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: 2.9/10.
How Idea Mcallen Academy Compares
See how Idea Mcallen Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 41% (2021).
Location
201 N BENTSEN RD, Mcallen, TX 78501
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Idea Mcallen Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HORIZON MONTESSORI - STEM ACADEMY (rated 6.7/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MCAULIFFE EL (rated 5.4/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THIGPEN-ZAVALA EL (rated 5.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mcallen, see our Mcallen schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| IDEA MCALLEN COLLEGE PREPARATORY Mcallen | 0.0 mi | 6.1 |
| ROMULO D MARTINEZ EL Mission | 0.7 mi | 4.6 |
| SHARYLAND H S Mission | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| SHARYLAND ADVANCED ACADEMIC ACADEMY Mission | 0.9 mi | 6.2 |
| ROWE H S Mc Allen | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| ALVAREZ EL Mcallen | 1.3 mi | 3.4 |
| INSTR/GUID CENTER Mcallen | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| LLOYD & DOLLY BENTSEN EL Mission | 1.6 mi | 3.2 |
| THIGPEN-ZAVALA EL Mcallen | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| ACHIEVE EARLY COLLEGE H S Mcallen | 1.5 mi | 8.9 |
| ESCANDON EL Mcallen | 1.6 mi | 4.3 |
| BROWN MIDDLE Mcallen | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| JOHN H SHARY EL Mission | 1.7 mi | 3.3 |
| SEGUIN EL Mcallen | 1.8 mi | 4.5 |
| TAYLOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mcallen | 2.0 mi | — |
| MCAULIFFE EL Mcallen | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-MCALLEN Mcallen | 2.1 mi | 4.9 |
| MCALLEN H S Mcallen | 2.3 mi | 8.8 |
| QUEST COLLEGIATE ACADEMY-MCALLEN Lewisville | 2.4 mi | 5.0 |
| HORIZON MONTESSORI - STEM ACADEMY Mcallen | 2.3 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78501 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,451
Median Home Value
$149,000
Median Rent
$943/mo
Population
59,095
College Educated
26.6%
Homeownership
50.2%
Avg Commute
18.8 min
Poverty Rate
25.3%
Median Age
36.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Idea Mcallen Academy has a median household income of $49,451. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,000, with a median rent of $943/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| AIKEN EL Brownsville, TX | 3.9 |
| BEL NAFEGAR SANCHEZ EL Alvin, TX | 3.9 |
| BERRY EL Arlington, TX | 3.9 |
| BETA ACADEMY Houston, TX | 3.9 |
| BRYSS ACADEMY Brownsville, TX | 3.9 |
| CAMINO REAL EL Niederwald, TX | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Idea Mcallen Academy
What grades does Idea Mcallen Academy serve?
Idea Mcallen Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Idea Mcallen Academy?
Idea Mcallen Academy has an enrollment of approximately 772 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Idea Mcallen Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Idea Mcallen Academy is 24.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Idea Mcallen Academy rank in TX?
Idea Mcallen Academy is ranked #7901 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Idea Mcallen Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Idea Mcallen Academy has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Mcallen Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Idea Mcallen Academy has 42.0% math proficiency and 47.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Idea Mcallen Academy a charter school?
Yes, Idea Mcallen Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Idea Mcallen Academy a Title I school?
No, Idea Mcallen Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Idea Mcallen Academy?
81.6% of students at Idea Mcallen 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 (1,992/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mcallen). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 772
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Hidalgo County
- Phone
- (956) 429-4100
- 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
- #91 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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