Below Average
#7876 of 8,547 schools in TX
Mercedes Early College Academy
High School · MERCEDES ISD
P O BOX 419, Mercedes, TX 78570
Enrollment
349
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
349
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mercedes
#12 of 13
public schools
Texas high schools
#1,668 of 1,699
In district
#9 of 10
MERCEDES ISD
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Mercedes Early College Academy
Mercedes Early College Academy is an alternative high school located in Mercedes, Texas, serving students from ninth through twelfth grade. With a student body of 349 and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention to its diverse group of learners. The school's teachers are committed to supporting each student’s academic journey, with 22 full-time equivalent educators on staff.
Academically, Mercedes Early College Academy is ranked at the 21st percentile among Texas schools, indicating there is room for improvement in certain areas. However, the school has made strides in ELA and reading proficiency, with 57% of students meeting or exceeding state standards. In math, 52% of students are proficient or above, showing a commitment to student development.
Located in a large suburban area, Mercedes Early College Academy is part of a community that values education and provides resources for its young adults. Despite the challenges highlighted by academic rankings, the school remains dedicated to fostering an environment where students can thrive and reach their full potential.
Score Breakdown
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Mercedes Early College Academy — Students at Mercedes Early College Academy score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.7%
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: 1.1/10.
How Mercedes Early College Academy Compares
See how Mercedes Early College Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 47% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 419, Mercedes, TX 78570
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mercedes Early College Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SOUTH TEXAS ISD HEALTH PROFESSIONS (rated 9.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTH TEXAS ISD SCIENCE ACADEMY (rated 9.6/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SOUTH PALM GARDENS H S (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Weslaco), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mercedes, see our Mercedes schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MERCEDES EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM Mercedes | 0.0 mi | 4.5 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mercedes | 0.2 mi | — |
| JOHN F KENNEDY EL Mercedes | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-MERCEDES Mercedes | 0.6 mi | 4.2 |
| TRAVIS EL Mercedes | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| MERCEDES H S Mercedes | 0.9 mi | 4.5 |
| TAYLOR EL Mercedes | 1.0 mi | 3.8 |
| RUBEN HINOJOSA EL Mercedes | 1.3 mi | 4.5 |
| SOUTH TEXAS ISD HEALTH PROFESSIONS Mercedes | 1.4 mi | 9.6 |
| SOUTH TEXAS ISD SCIENCE ACADEMY Mercedes | 1.4 mi | 9.6 |
| SOUTH TEXAS ISD VIRTUAL ACADEMY Mercedes | 1.5 mi | — |
| SGT MANUEL CHACON MIDDLE Mercedes | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| MERCEDES ACADEMIC ACADEMY Mercedes | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| SOUTH PALM GARDENS H S Weslaco | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| SGT WILLIAM G HARRELL MIDDLE Mercedes | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
| A N RICO EL Weslaco | 3.2 mi | 2.3 |
| WESLACO EAST H S Weslaco | 3.1 mi | 5.4 |
| MARY HOGE MIDDLE Weslaco | 3.4 mi | 6.8 |
| PREMIER H S OF WESLACO Lewisville | 3.5 mi | 6.8 |
| PROGRESO EL Progreso | 3.7 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78570 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$39,890
Median Home Value
$83,400
Median Rent
$686/mo
Population
33,596
College Educated
11.7%
Homeownership
73.8%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
34.5%
Median Age
27.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mercedes Early College Academy has a median household income of $39,890. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $83,400, with a median rent of $686/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| LYDIA PATTERSON INSTITUTE El Paso, TX | 4.0 |
| IMPACT EARLY COLLEGE H S Baytown, TX | 3.9 |
| TEXANS CAN ACADEMY - CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH Farmers Branch, TX | 3.9 |
| DIGITAL ACADEMY OF TEXAS Texarkana, TX | 4.3 |
| EAST CENTRAL CAST LEAD H S San Antonio, TX | 4.3 |
| MARINE CREEK COLLEGIATE H S Fort Worth, TX | 3.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mercedes Early College Academy
What grades does Mercedes Early College Academy serve?
Mercedes Early College Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mercedes Early College Academy?
Mercedes Early College Academy has an enrollment of approximately 349 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mercedes Early College Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Mercedes Early College Academy is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mercedes Early College Academy rank in TX?
Mercedes Early College Academy is ranked #7876 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Mercedes Early College Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Mercedes Early College Academy has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Mercedes Early College Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mercedes Early College Academy has 52.0% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mercedes Early College Academy a charter school?
No, Mercedes Early College Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mercedes Early College Academy a Title I school?
No, Mercedes Early College Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mercedes Early College Academy?
81.7% of students at Mercedes Early College 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 (3,652/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mercedes). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 349
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.7%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Hidalgo County
- Phone
- (956) 514-5180
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MERCEDES ISD- District Enrollment
- 4,393
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,385
- District Rank
- #9 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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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