Very Good
#2401 of 8,547 schools in TX
Top 28% in state
United Step Academy
High School · UNITED ISD
1600 ESPEJO MOLINA RD, Rio Bravo, TX 78046
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on TX statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
182
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
182
Student-Teacher
9.1:1
Score
7.3
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rio Bravo
#1 of 3
public schools
Texas high schools
#547 of 1,699
In district
#1 of 47
UNITED ISD
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About United Step Academy
United Step Academy serves 182 students in grades 6-12 as an alternative high school in Rio Bravo, Texas. With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1 and 20 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides individualized attention that many students benefit from in an alternative education setting. The school has earned recognition for its effectiveness, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #1451 out of 8598 Texas schools, placing it in the 83rd percentile statewide.
This strong performance demonstrates the school's success in serving students who may need a different educational approach than traditional comprehensive high schools. United Step Academy operates in Webb County's 78046 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $51,667 and median home value reaches $131,900. The community includes 69,422 residents, with 12% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 26.7%.
These demographics reflect a working-class community where many families face economic challenges. The school's rural location near Rio Bravo provides a close-knit environment where students can focus on their educational goals with significant teacher support and smaller class sizes typical of alternative education programs.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 182 students, United Step Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, United Step Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, United Step Academy 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
Partial Profile · 3/4 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How United Step Academy Compares
See how United Step Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1600 ESPEJO MOLINA RD, Rio Bravo, TX 78046
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering United Step Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. DR LEO CIGARROA H S (rated 6.6/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Laredo), with a comparable rating. Another option is TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-LAREDO SOUTH (rated 6.0/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Laredo), a more accessible option. Additionally, LYNDON B JOHNSON (rated 5.0/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Laredo), a more accessible option. For more schools in Rio Bravo, see our Rio Bravo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SALVADOR GARCIA MIDDLE Rio Bravo | 0.5 mi | 5.3 |
| JUAREZ/LINCOLN EL Rio Bravo | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| KENNEDY ZAPATA EL Laredo | 2.4 mi | 3.6 |
| VETERANS MEMORIAL EL Laredo | 4.8 mi | 4.3 |
| LYNDON B JOHNSON Laredo | 4.9 mi | 5.0 |
| LAMAR BRUNI VERGARA MIDDLE Laredo | 4.9 mi | 4.7 |
| PRADA EL Laredo | 5.6 mi | 4.3 |
| SIGIFREDO PEREZ EL Laredo | 5.8 mi | 5.0 |
| TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-LAREDO SOUTH Laredo | 5.8 mi | 6.0 |
| JOHN W ARNDT EL Laredo | 6.0 mi | 3.6 |
| FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT EL Laredo | 6.0 mi | 4.7 |
| LOS OBISPOS MIDDLE Laredo | 6.0 mi | 5.3 |
| RODOLFO C CENTENO EL Laredo | 6.3 mi | 3.2 |
| YOUTH RECOVERY HOME Laredo | 6.5 mi | — |
| RICARDO MOLINA MIDDLE Laredo | 6.8 mi | 5.7 |
| SALINAS EL Laredo | 7.4 mi | 2.5 |
| LIGARDE EL Laredo | 7.7 mi | 3.3 |
| JOAQUIN CIGARROA MIDDLE Laredo | 7.7 mi | 5.4 |
| H B ZACHRY EL Laredo | 7.8 mi | 3.8 |
| DR LEO CIGARROA H S Laredo | 7.8 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 78046 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,601
Median Home Value
$142,000
Median Rent
$1,038/mo
Population
71,965
College Educated
12.8%
Homeownership
79.3%
Avg Commute
28.2 min
Poverty Rate
26.3%
Median Age
26
Community Profile
The community surrounding United Step Academy has a median household income of $53,601. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,000, with a median rent of $1,038/month. The area has a poverty rate of 26.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| ALTER H S San Antonio, TX | 7.3 |
| AVERY SECONDARY Avery, TX | 7.3 |
| CAMPBELL H S Campbell, TX | 7.3 |
| CITYLAB H S Dallas, TX | 7.3 |
| CRISTO REY FORT WORTH COLLEGE PREP Fort Worth, TX | 7.3 |
| DAN CHADWICK CAMPUS Longview, TX | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about United Step Academy
What grades does United Step Academy serve?
United Step Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend United Step Academy?
United Step Academy has an enrollment of approximately 182 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at United Step Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at United Step Academy is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does United Step Academy rank in TX?
United Step Academy is ranked #2401 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is United Step Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
United Step Academy has a composite rating of 7.3 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.
Is United Step Academy a charter school?
No, United Step Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is United Step Academy a Title I school?
No, United Step Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for United Step Academy?
85.2% of students at United Step 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 182
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.2%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Webb County
- Phone
- (956) 764-6500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
UNITED ISD- District Enrollment
- 41,203
- Schools in District
- 50
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,037
- District Rank
- #1 of 47
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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