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Needs Improvement

#7901 of 8,547 schools in TX

Idea Mcallen Academy

Elementary School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

201 N BENTSEN RD, Mcallen, TX 78501

Charter

Enrollment

772

Student-Teacher

24.1:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

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 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-10.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41%
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected+4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment1.6Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,912

Idea Mcallen Academy — Students at Idea Mcallen Academy score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
41%

* 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.

Overall Score
3.9/10
8th percentile in TX
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
1.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
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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