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Average

#6122 of 8,552 schools in TX

Secondary Alter Ctr

High School · HARLINGEN CISD

407 N 77 SUNSHINE STRIP, Harlingen, TX 78550

Enrollment

88

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

5.2

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Texas schools

#6,122 of 8,552

In Harlingen

#27 of 32

public schools

In district

#24 of 29

HARLINGEN CISD

Academic growth

9.6 / 10

Excellent

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Secondary Alter Ctr

5.2/10

High School in Harlingen · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Horizon Montessori III - Stem Academy

6.5/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Treasure Hills EL

5.0/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Secondary Alter Ctr

Secondary Alter Ctr is a public high school in Harlingen, TX, part of HARLINGEN CISD. Secondary Alter Ctr serves approximately 88 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Secondary Alter Ctr has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #6,122 of 8,552 schools in TX.

Structured state assessment records for Secondary Alter Ctr show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2022).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • District avg 7.1
  • TX avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 88 students, Secondary Alter Ctr is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Test scores at Secondary Alter Ctr sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data5
Annual Change-0.26 pts/yr
Data Period2014–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.4Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.3% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,586

Secondary Alter Ctr — Students at Secondary Alter Ctr score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.6% (multi-year average, 2015-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.3% (multi-year average, 2014-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 9 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2014
ELA
24.5%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
16.3%
ELA
28%

* 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: 9.6/10.

How Secondary Alter Ctr Compares

See how Secondary Alter Ctr performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
28th percentile in TX
Academic
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.6/10
Excellent
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

407 N 77 SUNSHINE STRIP, Harlingen, TX 78550

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Secondary Alter Ctr may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HARLINGEN COLLEGIATE H S (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CAMERON CO J J A E P (rated 3.5/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby San Benito), a more accessible option. Additionally, CAMERON CO J J A E P (rated 2.0/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Los Fresnos), a more accessible option. For more schools in Harlingen, see our Harlingen schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
HORIZON MONTESSORI III - STEM ACADEMY Harlingen 0.8 mi 6.5
TREASURE HILLS EL Harlingen 0.9 mi 5.0
COAKLEY MIDDLE Harlingen 0.9 mi 4.9
HARLINGEN COLLEGIATE H S Harlingen 0.9 mi 8.4
HOUSTON EL Harlingen 0.9 mi 5.7
VERNON MIDDLE Harlingen 1.3 mi 6.4
ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Harlingen 1.3 mi 6.4
TRAVIS EL Harlingen 1.3 mi 6.1
CAMERON CO J J A E P San Benito 1.4 mi
CAMERON CO J J A E P Harlingen 1.4 mi
CAMERON CO J J A E P Los Fresnos 1.4 mi 2.0
CAMERON CO J J A E P Port Isabel 1.4 mi
CAMERON CO J J A E P Rio Hondo 1.4 mi
HESTER JUVENILE DETENT San Benito 1.4 mi 6.9
AMADOR R RODRIGUEZ JUVENILE BOOT CAMP San Benito 1.4 mi
CAMERON CO J J A E P San Benito 1.4 mi 3.5
BONHAM EL Harlingen 1.6 mi 5.5
BOWIE EL Harlingen 1.5 mi 7.2
SOUTH TEXAS ISD RISING SCHOLARS ACADEMY San Benito 1.6 mi 9.1
IDEA ACADEMY SAN BENITO San Benito 1.6 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 78550 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,524

Median Home Value

$120,500

Median Rent

$863/mo

Population

54,169

College Educated

21.7%

Homeownership

52.7%

Avg Commute

18.4 min

Poverty Rate

24.3%

Median Age

33.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
DR. R. W. GOINES STEM ACADEMY Arlington, TX 5.2
POR VIDA ACADEMY CORPUS CHRISTI San Antonio, TX 5.2
RUNGE H S Runge, TX 5.2
TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-MERCEDES Mercedes, TX 5.2
CHIP RICHARTE H S Georgetown, TX 5.3
FANNINDEL H S Ladonia, TX 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Secondary Alter Ctr

What grades does Secondary Alter Ctr serve?

Secondary Alter Ctr serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Secondary Alter Ctr?

Secondary Alter Ctr has an enrollment of approximately 88 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Secondary Alter Ctr?

The student-teacher ratio at Secondary Alter Ctr is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Secondary Alter Ctr rank in TX?

Secondary Alter Ctr ranks #6,122 of 8,552 schools in TX.

What is Secondary Alter Ctr's MySchoolScout rating?

Secondary Alter Ctr has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Secondary Alter Ctr?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Secondary Alter Ctr has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2015-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2014-2022).

Is Secondary Alter Ctr a charter school?

No, Secondary Alter Ctr is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Secondary Alter Ctr a Title I school?

No, Secondary Alter Ctr is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Secondary Alter Ctr?

86.4% of students at Secondary Alter Ctr 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

Walk Score
66 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
88
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.4%
Type
alternative
Setting
Small City
County
Cameron County

District

HARLINGEN CISD
District Enrollment
16,780
Schools in District
31
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,586
District Rank
#24 of 29

How we rate schools

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