Photo: Theunderratedtaco · CC BY 4.0Harlingen’s public schools score below 59% of Texas districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Harlingen, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Texas, not nationally.
From Texas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Harlingen’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 48% of tested students were proficient in reading and 36% in math, against 51% and 41% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,843 per student, against $12,815 across Texas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
15 elementary schools, then five middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Horizon Montessori III - STEM Academy, Jubilee Harlingen, Calvary Christian School (private), St. Albans Episcopal Day School (private), Marine Military Academy (private), St. Anthony Catholic School (private) and Montessori Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Harlingen’s grade
C+: better than 41% of Texas school districts, #403 of 642 Texas towns. Graduation is above the Texas average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Harlingen, with each school’s own grade.
Harlingen’s public schools are run by Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, which also serves Combes, Palm Valley and Primera. Parts of Harlingen (6% and 4% of its land) are served by San Benito Consolidated Independent and Rio Hondo Independent instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Harlingen vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Texas towns that share Harlingen’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Harlingen | C+ | Harlingen Consolidated Independent |
| San Benito | C− | San Benito Consolidated Independent |
| Combes | C+ | Harlingen Consolidated Independent |
| Palm Valley | C+ | Harlingen Consolidated Independent |
| Primera | C+ | Harlingen Consolidated Independent |
3 of the 4 neighbors share Harlingen Consolidated Independent with Harlingen, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Harlingen
33 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Texas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 13 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Cameron Co J J A E P, Cameron Co Juvenile Detention CTR, Cameron Co J J A E P, New Pathways Center, Edna Tamayo House, Cameron County Jjaep, Cameron Co J J A E P, Cameron Co J J A E P, Cameron Co J J A E P, Cameron Co J J A E P, Amador R Rodriguez Juvenile Boot Camp, Cameron Co J J A E P and Cameron County Jjaep).
Questions about Harlingen’s schools
Are Harlingen’s schools good?
On Texas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Harlingen children attend score below 59% of Texas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #403 of 642 Texas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 45%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Harlingen in?
Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 16,471 students in 30 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Harlingen are served by San Benito Consolidated Independent and Rio Hondo Independent.
Where do Harlingen kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Harlingen H S, Harlingen H S - South, Harlingen School of Health Professions and Harlingen Collegiate H S.
What is Harlingen’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas.
How much does Harlingen spend per student?
$13,843 in Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District (FY2024), against $12,815 across Texas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Harlingen?
Yes: Calvary Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 270 students), St. Albans Episcopal Day School (religious, grades PK–6, 241 students), Marine Military Academy (nonsectarian · all-boys, grades 7–12, 240 students), St. Anthony Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 70 students) and Montessori Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 38 students). Harlingen also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Harlingen families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Harlingen → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Texas. Stars are from neighbors.