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#4641 of 8,547 schools in TX

Idea Mcallen College Preparatory

High School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

201 N BENTSEN RD, Mcallen, TX 78501

Charter

Enrollment

807

Student-Teacher

19.2:1

Score

6.1

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mcallen

#19 of 37

public schools

Texas high schools

#1,127 of 1,699

In district

#44 of 123

IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Idea Mcallen College Preparatory

IDEA McAllen College Preparatory is a charter high school serving grades 6 through 12 in McAllen, Texas. With an enrollment of 807 students and 42 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.2:1, allowing for moderate class sizes and individual attention. Academically, the school has room for growth in several areas.

In reading and language arts, about 70% of students score at proficient levels or above, showing relative strength in literacy instruction. Mathematics performance is lower, with 57% of students reaching proficiency—an area where the school is focusing development efforts. Overall, the school ranks in the 35th percentile statewide, placing it among schools with developing academic profiles across Texas.

As a college preparatory program, IDEA McAllen emphasizes preparation for higher education pathways. The school's mission-driven charter model aims to support student development and college readiness over traditional metrics alone. Located in McAllen's mid-size city setting, IDEA McAllen College Preparatory serves families seeking a structured, college-focused educational environment with accessible teacher-to-student ratios for their middle and high school students.

What Parents Should Know

Idea Mcallen 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-14.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34%
Reading/ELA Proficiency63%
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+16.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College Readiness9.7Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation28.6%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,912

Idea Mcallen College Preparatory — Students at Idea Mcallen College Preparatory score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 57.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.5%
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
80%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
63%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Idea Mcallen College Preparatory Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
46th percentile in TX
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
28.6% participation·168 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

201 N BENTSEN RD, Mcallen, TX 78501

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Idea Mcallen College Preparatory may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ACHIEVE EARLY COLLEGE H S (rated 8.9/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MCALLEN H S (rated 8.8/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ROWE H S (rated 7.8/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Mc Allen), 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 ACADEMY Mcallen 0.0 mi 3.9
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 College Preparatory 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
CARTER-RIVERSIDE H S Fort Worth, TX 6.1
CENTER H S Center, TX 6.1
ILTEXAS KELLER SAGINAW H S Fort Worth, TX 6.1
LBJ ECHS Austin, TX 6.1
LIFE H S WAXAHACHIE Red Oak, TX 6.1
LIT CYPR-MRCEVILLE H S Orange, TX 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Idea Mcallen College Preparatory

What grades does Idea Mcallen College Preparatory serve?

Idea Mcallen College Preparatory serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Idea Mcallen College Preparatory?

Idea Mcallen College Preparatory has an enrollment of approximately 807 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Idea Mcallen College Preparatory is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Idea Mcallen College Preparatory rank in TX?

Idea Mcallen College Preparatory is ranked #4641 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Idea Mcallen College Preparatory's MySchoolScout rating?

Idea Mcallen College Preparatory has a composite rating of 6.1 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 College Preparatory?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Idea Mcallen College Preparatory has 57.0% math proficiency and 69.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Idea Mcallen College Preparatory a charter school?

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

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

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

75.3% of students at Idea Mcallen 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

City Safety
High (1,992/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
807
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.3%
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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