Excellent
#17 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 1% in state
South Texas ISD Science Academy
High School · SOUTH TEXAS ISD
900 MED HIGH DR, Mercedes, TX 78570
Enrollment
846
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
9.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
846
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
9.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mercedes
#1 of 13
public schools
Texas high schools
#2 of 1,699
In district
#1 of 6
SOUTH TEXAS ISD
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About South Texas ISD Science Academy
South Texas ISD Science Academy in Mercedes serves 846 students in grades 9 through 12 with a focus on rigorous academic preparation. The school earns a composite score of 9.6 out of 10, rated Exceptional, with a near-perfect academic score of 9.9 and a growth score of 9.8. A student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1 keeps class sizes manageable for a school of its size.
The numbers that matter most: South Texas ISD Science Academy ranks #2 of 1,699 high schools in Texas, placing it among the absolute top tier of secondary schools statewide. It outperforms 100% of Texas public schools on composite measures, a distinction that separates it from virtually every other campus in the state. Locally, it holds the top spot among all 13 schools in Mercedes.
Across Texas, it sits at #17 out of 8,547 public schools — a ranking that reflects consistent, measurable outcomes rather than reputation alone. Families comparing college-prep options in the Rio Grande Valley will find few schools that match this level of documented academic performance at the high school level.
What's said publicly about South Texas ISD Science Academy
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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South Texas ISD Science Academy — Students at South Texas ISD Science Academy score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.5%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How South Texas ISD Science Academy Compares
See how South Texas ISD Science Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 54.5% (2019) to 67% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 87% (2021).
Location
900 MED HIGH DR, Mercedes, TX 78570
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Texas ISD Science Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SOUTH TEXAS ISD HEALTH PROFESSIONS (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, 1.0 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 HEALTH PROFESSIONS Mercedes | 0.1 mi | 9.6 |
| SOUTH TEXAS ISD VIRTUAL ACADEMY Mercedes | 0.2 mi | — |
| SOUTH PALM GARDENS H S Weslaco | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| JOHN F KENNEDY EL Mercedes | 1.3 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 | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| WESLACO EAST H S Weslaco | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| MARY HOGE MIDDLE Weslaco | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| PREMIER H S OF WESLACO Lewisville | 2.1 mi | 6.8 |
| AIRPORT EL Weslaco | 2.2 mi | 3.4 |
| SGT WILLIAM G HARRELL MIDDLE Mercedes | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
| MERCEDES H S Mercedes | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| 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 Science 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 |
|---|---|
| SOUTH TEXAS ISD HEALTH PROFESSIONS 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 Science Academy 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 Science Academy
What grades does South Texas ISD Science Academy serve?
South Texas ISD Science Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend South Texas ISD Science Academy?
South Texas ISD Science Academy has an enrollment of approximately 846 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Texas ISD Science Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at South Texas ISD Science Academy is 15.4:1. 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 Science Academy rank in TX?
South Texas ISD Science Academy is ranked #17 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is South Texas ISD Science Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
South Texas ISD Science Academy 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 Science Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Texas ISD Science Academy has 60.8% math proficiency and 84.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Texas ISD Science Academy a charter school?
No, South Texas ISD Science Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Texas ISD Science Academy a Title I school?
No, South Texas ISD Science Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Texas ISD Science Academy?
50.5% of students at South Texas ISD Science 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mercedes). Data >1 year old.
Compare This School
How does South Texas ISD Science Academy stack up?
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 846
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Hidalgo County
- Phone
- (956) 565-4620
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SOUTH TEXAS ISD- District Enrollment
- 4,531
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,956
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
Compare This School
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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