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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 Score

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

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 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on TX state average
College Readiness6.6Above Average45%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional30%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,465

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
72th percentile in TX
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (83/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

UNITED ISD
District Enrollment
41,203
Schools in District
50
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,037
District Rank
#1 of 47

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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