Photo: Theunderratedtaco · CC BY-SA 4.0McAllen’s public schools outscore 73% of Texas districts
The grade covers the public school district serving McAllen, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In McAllen, 58% of tested students read at a proficient level, above the Texas average (51%). 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 100% 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.
McAllen’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 764 Texas towns with household incomes within a quarter of McAllen’s, its schools beat 80%, higher than their 73% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 58% and math 46% in spring 2022, against 51% and 41% statewide; 98% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,936 per student, against $12,815 across Texas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
18 elementary schools, then six middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Horizon Montessori - STEM Academy, Triumph Public High Schools-McAllen, Idea Quest Academy, Idea Quest College Preparatory, Idea McAllen College Preparatory, Idea McAllen Academy, Idea Tres Lagos Academy, Idea Tres Lagos College Preparatory, Idea Los Encinos College Preparatory, Idea Los Encinos Academy, Covenant Christian Academy (private), St. Johns Episcopal Day School (private), South Texas Christian Academy (private), Kids Village Montessori Lrnng (private) and St. Paul Lutheran School (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 McAllen’s grade
B+: better than 73% of Texas school districts, #131 of 642 Texas towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Texas average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve McAllen, with each school’s own grade.
McAllen’s public schools are run by McAllen Independent School District. Parts of McAllen (15%, 12%, 8%, 7% and 2% of its land) are served by Edinburg Consolidated Independent, Sharyland Independent, Hidalgo Independent, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent and Valley View 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.
Well above the state in reading
McAllen vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Texas towns that share McAllen’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| McAllen | B+ | McAllen Independent |
| Edinburg | B− | Edinburg Consolidated Independent |
| Pharr | B− | Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent |
| Mission | C+ | Mission Consolidated Independent PK–12 · Sharyland Independent PK–12 · La Joya Independent PK–12 |
| Granjeno | — | Hidalgo Independent |
| Hidalgo | B | Valley View Independent PK–12 · Hidalgo Independent PK–12 |
| Alton | C | Mission Consolidated Independent |
Every school in McAllen
54 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: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (J J A E P, J J A E P, Southwest Key Program and Student Alter Prog).
Questions about McAllen’s schools
Are McAllen’s schools good?
By Texas’s own tests, yes: the public schools McAllen children attend outscore 73% of Texas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #131 of 642 Texas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 80%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is McAllen in?
McAllen Independent School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 19,890 students in 31 schools (2024–25). Small parts of McAllen are served by Edinburg Consolidated Independent, Sharyland Independent, Hidalgo Independent, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent and Valley View Independent.
Where do McAllen kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: McAllen H S, Memorial H S, Rowe H S and Achieve Early College H S.
What is McAllen’s graduation rate?
98% of the class of 2023 in McAllen Independent School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas.
How much does McAllen spend per student?
$13,936 in McAllen Independent School District (FY2024), against $12,815 across Texas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in McAllen?
Yes: Covenant Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–10, 392 students), St. Johns Episcopal Day School (religious, grades PK–7, 279 students), South Texas Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 223 students), Kids Village Montessori Lrnng (religious, grades PK–K, 172 students) and St. Paul Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 116 students). McAllen also has 10 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What McAllen families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near McAllen → 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.