Excellent
#105 of 8,552 schools in TX
Top 1% in state
South Texas ISD Science Academy
High School · South Texas ISD · Mercedes, TX
A high school in Mercedes, TX where students score 25 points above what's typical for similar communities.
900 MED HIGH DR, Mercedes, TX 78570
- Math 64% vs TX 44% (2024)
- Reading 90% vs TX 54% (2024)
- 95%+ 4-year graduation
Academics
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Students at South Texas ISD Science Academy score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
2024 STAAR proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. TX average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 16-year record (2009–2024), then recovered 9 points since 2019, reaching 77% in 2024.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 79% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 91% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from TX state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
50.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where South Texas ISD Science Academy sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 19Car-Dependent
- Bike 27Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,652/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Mercedes), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$39,890
Median home value
$83,400
Median rent
$686/mo
College educated
11.7%
Homeownership
73.8%
Poverty rate
34.5%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 78570; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Texas ISD Health ProfessionsEnrollment path unverified | 8.7 | 9–12 | 0.1 mi | 797 | Compare → |
| South Texas ISD Virtual AcademyEnrollment path unverified | Not rated | 6–11 | 0.2 mi | 181 | Compare → |
| South Palm Gardens H SEnrollment path unverified | 8.5 | 10–12 | 1.0 mi | 66 | Compare → |
| Mercedes Early College AcademyEnrollment path unverified | 6.9 | 9–12 | 1.4 mi | 349 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
South Texas ISD
- Schools in district
- 7
- Rank in district
- #2 of 6
- District spending per student
- $17,956NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- The source release did not match this district identifier.
South Texas ISD Science Academy is listed in SOUTH TEXAS ISD; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About South Texas ISD Science Academy
South Texas ISD Science Academy is a public high school in Mercedes, TX, part of South Texas ISD, serving approximately 846 students in grades 9th-12th with a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 out of 10 and ranks #105 of 8,552 schools in TX. State assessment records show 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 91% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
What's said publicly about South Texas ISD Science Academy
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
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 ranks #105 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is South Texas ISD Science Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
South Texas ISD Science Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.3 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 South Texas ISD Science Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Texas ISD Science Academy has 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 91% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 846
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Hidalgo County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 14.7%
- Phone
- (956) 565-4620
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95%+
- Area population (ZIP 78570)
- 33,596
- Area average commute
- 22 min
- Area median age
- 27.5
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 STAAR · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 STAAR. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 STAAR · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 STAAR. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 78570; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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