Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0Pharr’s public schools outscore 50% of Texas districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Pharr, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. In Pharr, 44% of tested students read at a proficient level, below 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 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.
Pharr’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 648 Texas towns with household incomes within a quarter of Pharr’s, its schools beat 56%, higher than their 50% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 44% of tested students were proficient in reading and 38% in math, against 51% and 41% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $15,679 per student, against $12,815 across Texas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
13 elementary schools, then four middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Vanguard Rembrandt, Vanguard Picasso, Vanguard Van Gogh, Idea Academy Pharr, Idea College Preparatory Pharr, Idea Owassa Academy, Idea Owassa College Preparatory and The Pharr Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System (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 Pharr’s grade
B−: better than 50% of Texas school districts, #324 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 Pharr, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Pharr · depends on your address
Psja North Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,166 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Psja Southwest Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,588 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Psja Thomas Jefferson T-STEM Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 553 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Pharr · depends on your address
Psja North Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,166 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Psja Southwest Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,588 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Psja Thomas Jefferson T-STEM Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 553 students · 14:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Pharr · depends on your address
Psja North Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,166 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Psja Southwest Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,588 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Psja Thomas Jefferson T-STEM Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 553 students · 14:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Pharr · depends on your address
Psja North Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,166 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Psja Southwest Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,588 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Psja Thomas Jefferson T-STEM Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 553 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Pharr’s public schools are run by Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District, which also serves Alamo and San Juan. Parts of Pharr (14% and 13% of its land) are served by Hidalgo 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 below the state in reading
Pharr vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Texas towns that share Pharr’s borders.
Every school in Pharr
34 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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Valley View J J A E P).
Questions about Pharr’s schools
Are Pharr’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Texas: the public schools Pharr children attend outscore 50% of Texas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #324 of 642 Texas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 56%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Pharr in?
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 29,613 students in 43 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Pharr are served by Hidalgo Independent and Valley View Independent.
Where do Pharr kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Psja North Early College H S, Psja Southwest Early College H S and Psja Thomas Jefferson T-STEM Early College H S.
What is Pharr’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas.
How much does Pharr spend per student?
$15,679 in Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (FY2024), against $12,815 across Texas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Pharr?
Yes: The Pharr Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System (Catholic, grades PK–8, 140 students). Pharr also has 7 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Pharr families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pharr → 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.