Average
#4641 of 8,547 schools in TX
Idea Mcallen College Preparatory
High School · IDEA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
201 N BENTSEN RD, Mcallen, TX 78501
Enrollment
807
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
807
Student-Teacher
19.2:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Idea Mcallen College Preparatory — Students at Idea Mcallen College Preparatory score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
75.3%
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: 1.8/10.
How Idea Mcallen College Preparatory Compares
See how Idea Mcallen College Preparatory performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 80% (2019) to 34% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 63% (2021).
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.
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
- 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
- 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
- #44 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
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Austin, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Dallas, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Fort Worth, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.