Below Average
#7513 of 8,552 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
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
772
Student-Teacher
24.1:1
Score
4.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#7,513 of 8,552
In Mcallen
#37 of 37
public schools
In district
#113 of 123
IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Equity
8.2 / 10
Excellent
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Idea Mcallen Academy
Elementary School in Mcallen · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Idea Mcallen College Preparatory
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Romulo D Martinez EL
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Idea Mcallen Academy
Idea Mcallen Academy is a public elementary school in Mcallen, TX, part of IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Idea Mcallen Academy serves approximately 772 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 24.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Idea Mcallen Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #7,513 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for Idea Mcallen Academy show 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).
- This school 4.0 · Below Average
- District avg 6.1
- TX avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Idea Mcallen Academy runs 24.1:1 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 Mcallen 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 Mcallen Academy — Students at Idea Mcallen Academy score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 22 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: 2.6/10.
How Idea Mcallen Academy Compares
See how Idea Mcallen Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. THIGPEN-ZAVALA EL (rated 8.5/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HORIZON MONTESSORI - STEM ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ROMULO D MARTINEZ EL (rated 7.6/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Mission), 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 | 7.2 |
| ROMULO D MARTINEZ EL Mission | 0.7 mi | 7.6 |
| SHARYLAND H S Mission | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| SHARYLAND ADVANCED ACADEMIC ACADEMY Mission | 0.9 mi | 7.2 |
| ROWE H S Mc Allen | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| ALVAREZ EL Mcallen | 1.3 mi | 6.4 |
| INSTR/GUID CENTER Mcallen | 1.4 mi | 6.1 |
| LLOYD & DOLLY BENTSEN EL Mission | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| THIGPEN-ZAVALA EL Mcallen | 1.5 mi | 8.5 |
| ACHIEVE EARLY COLLEGE H S Mcallen | 1.5 mi | 9.5 |
| ESCANDON EL Mcallen | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| BROWN MIDDLE Mcallen | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| JOHN H SHARY EL Mission | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| SEGUIN EL Mcallen | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| TAYLOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mcallen | 2.0 mi | — |
| MCAULIFFE EL Mcallen | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-MCALLEN Mcallen | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| MCALLEN H S Mcallen | 2.3 mi | 8.0 |
| QUEST COLLEGIATE ACADEMY-MCALLEN Lewisville | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| HORIZON MONTESSORI - STEM ACADEMY Mcallen | 2.3 mi | 7.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALLEN EL San Antonio, TX | 4.0 |
| ANDERSON EL Houston, TX | 4.0 |
| ASKEW EL Houston, TX | 4.0 |
| BARBARA JORDAN EL Odessa, TX | 4.0 |
| BARTON EL Irving, TX | 4.0 |
| BEHLAU EL San Antonio, TX | 4.0 |
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 ranks #7,513 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Idea Mcallen Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Idea Mcallen Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Mcallen Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Idea Mcallen Academy has 61% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 65% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 14.2%
- Phone
- (956) 429-4100
Resources & Links
District
IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 76,819
- Schools in District
- 123
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,857
- District Rank
- #113 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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