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Excellent

#18 of 8,547 schools in TX

Top 1% in state

South Texas ISD Health Professions

High School · SOUTH TEXAS ISD

700 MED HIGH DR, Mercedes, TX 78570

Enrollment

797

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

9.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mercedes

#2 of 13

public schools

Texas high schools

#3 of 1,699

In district

#2 of 6

SOUTH TEXAS ISD

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About South Texas ISD Health Professions

South Texas ISD Health Professions is a grade 9–12 public high school in Mercedes, Texas, enrolling 797 students at a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. The school earns a composite score of 9.6 out of 10, rated Exceptional, with academic and growth scores of 9.8 and 9.7 respectively. The numbers place this school among the best in the state.

It ranks 3rd of 1,699 high schools in Texas and 18th of 8,547 public schools statewide — outperforming 100% of Texas schools across the board. That level of performance is rare at any enrollment size, and it reflects consistent, measurable results rather than a single strong year. South Texas ISD Health Professions focuses on preparing students for careers in medicine and allied health fields, giving its college-bound graduates a clear academic direction alongside rigorous coursework.

The 14.5-to-1 student-teacher ratio keeps classes small enough for meaningful instruction. For families in the Rio Grande Valley weighing high school options, this school ranks 2nd of 13 schools in Mercedes, making it the top-performing high school in the city by a significant margin. Parents prioritizing academic outcomes and a focused health sciences curriculum will find the data consistently points here.

What's said publicly about South Texas ISD Health Professions

Sources: Wikipedia

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

South Texas ISD Health Professions is a magnet high school located in Mercedes, Texas, and is one of four such schools within the South Texas Independent School District in the Rio Grande Valley 2 . The school focuses on developing clinical skills for students through placements in area hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, and various medical offices, including those for doctors, dentists, and veterinarians 2 . Many students at the institution earn certifications in fields such as certified nursing assistants, dental assistants, emergency medical technicians, personal trainers, and veterinary assistants 2 .
Sources (1)
  1. en.wikipedia.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South Texas ISD Health Professions may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics9.8Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency82%
Overall Proficiency70%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+32.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile97th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation49.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,503

South Texas ISD Health Professions — Students at South Texas ISD Health Professions score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 50.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 82.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
44.5%
ELA
82%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
82%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How South Texas ISD Health Professions Compares

See how South Texas ISD Health Professions performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.6/10
100th percentile in TX
Academic
9.8/10
9.8/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
55 teachers

Location

700 MED HIGH DR, Mercedes, TX 78570

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Texas ISD Health Professions may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SOUTH TEXAS ISD SCIENCE ACADEMY (rated 9.6/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is SOUTH PALM GARDENS H S (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Weslaco), a more accessible option. Additionally, PREMIER H S OF WESLACO (rated 6.8/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Lewisville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mercedes, see our Mercedes schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.6 mi
School Distance Rating
SOUTH TEXAS ISD SCIENCE ACADEMY Mercedes 0.1 mi 9.6
SOUTH TEXAS ISD VIRTUAL ACADEMY Mercedes 0.1 mi
SOUTH PALM GARDENS H S Weslaco 0.9 mi 8.4
JOHN F KENNEDY EL Mercedes 1.4 mi 4.8
MERCEDES EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY Mercedes 1.4 mi 4.0
MERCEDES EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM Mercedes 1.4 mi 4.5
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mercedes 1.4 mi
TAYLOR EL Mercedes 1.5 mi 3.8
A N RICO EL Weslaco 1.9 mi 2.3
TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-MERCEDES Mercedes 1.8 mi 4.2
TRAVIS EL Mercedes 1.9 mi 5.0
WESLACO EAST H S Weslaco 1.9 mi 5.4
PREMIER H S OF WESLACO Lewisville 2.1 mi 6.8
MARY HOGE MIDDLE Weslaco 2.2 mi 6.8
AIRPORT EL Weslaco 2.2 mi 3.4
MERCEDES H S Mercedes 2.3 mi 4.5
SGT WILLIAM G HARRELL MIDDLE Mercedes 2.4 mi 4.7
IDEA COLLEGE PREP WESLACO Weslaco 2.5 mi 6.6
IDEA ACADEMY WESLACO Weslaco 2.5 mi 3.0
RUBEN HINOJOSA EL Mercedes 2.6 mi 4.5

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 South Texas ISD Health Professions 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
SOUTH TEXAS ISD SCIENCE ACADEMY Mercedes, TX 9.6
GIDDINGS H S Giddings, TX 9.1
KIPP AUSTIN COLLEGIATE Austin, TX 9.1
PLEASANTON H S Pleasanton, TX 9.1
ENERGY INSTITUTE H S Houston, TX 9.0
LLANO H S Llano, TX 9.0

Compare South Texas ISD Health Professions with similar schools nearby

Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Texas ISD Health Professions

What grades does South Texas ISD Health Professions serve?

South Texas ISD Health Professions serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend South Texas ISD Health Professions?

South Texas ISD Health Professions has an enrollment of approximately 797 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Texas ISD Health Professions?

The student-teacher ratio at South Texas ISD Health Professions is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Texas ISD Health Professions rank in TX?

South Texas ISD Health Professions is ranked #18 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is South Texas ISD Health Professions's MySchoolScout rating?

South Texas ISD Health Professions has a composite rating of 9.6 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 South Texas ISD Health Professions?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Texas ISD Health Professions has 50.8% math proficiency and 82.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is South Texas ISD Health Professions a charter school?

No, South Texas ISD Health Professions is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is South Texas ISD Health Professions a Title I school?

No, South Texas ISD Health Professions is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Texas ISD Health Professions?

66.1% of students at South Texas ISD Health Professions 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
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,652/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Compare This School

How does South Texas ISD Health Professions stack up?

SOUTH TEXAS ISD SCIENCE ACADEMY
9.6

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
797
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
55
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
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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