South Padre Island’s public schools score below 81% of Texas districts on tests and graduation
In South Padre Island, 24% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Texas average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving South Padre Island, 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 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.
South Padre Island’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 715 Texas towns with household incomes within a quarter of South Padre Island’s, its schools beat 11%, lower than their 19% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 45% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 51% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas (the state reports South Padre Island’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,449 per student, against $12,815 across Texas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Port Isabel J H, then Port Isabel Early College H S. Enrollment is down 14% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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 South Padre Island’s grade
C−: better than 19% of Texas school districts. Both inputs trail the Texas average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve South Padre Island, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in South Padre Island · depends on your address
Garriga El
Grades PK–5 · 410 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
Derry El
Grades PK–5 · 392 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
Kindergarten in South Padre Island · depends on your address
Garriga El
Grades PK–5 · 410 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
Derry El
Grades PK–5 · 392 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
1st grade in South Padre Island · depends on your address
Garriga El
Grades PK–5 · 410 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
Derry El
Grades PK–5 · 392 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
2nd grade in South Padre Island · depends on your address
Garriga El
Grades PK–5 · 410 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
Derry El
Grades PK–5 · 392 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
3rd grade in South Padre Island · depends on your address
Garriga El
Grades PK–5 · 410 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
Derry El
Grades PK–5 · 392 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
4th grade in South Padre Island · depends on your address
Garriga El
Grades PK–5 · 410 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
Derry El
Grades PK–5 · 392 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
5th grade in South Padre Island · depends on your address
Garriga El
Grades PK–5 · 410 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
Derry El
Grades PK–5 · 392 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
6th grade in South Padre Island
Port Isabel J H
Grades 6–8 · 396 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
7th grade in South Padre Island
Port Isabel J H
Grades 6–8 · 396 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
8th grade in South Padre Island
Port Isabel J H
Grades 6–8 · 396 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
9th grade in South Padre Island
Port Isabel Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 585 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
10th grade in South Padre Island
Port Isabel Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 585 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
11th grade in South Padre Island
Port Isabel Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 585 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
12th grade in South Padre Island
Port Isabel Early College H S
Grades 9–12 · 585 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Port Isabel
South Padre Island’s public schools are run by Point Isabel Independent School District, which also serves Laguna Vista and Port Isabel. 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
South Padre Island vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Texas towns that share South Padre Island’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| South Padre Island | C− | Point Isabel Independent |
Every school in South Padre Island
4 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).
Questions about South Padre Island’s schools
Are South Padre Island’s schools good?
On Texas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools South Padre Island children attend score below 81% of Texas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is South Padre Island in?
Point Isabel Independent School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,786 students in 5 schools (2024–25).
Where do South Padre Island kids go to high school?
Port Isabel Early College H S in Port Isabel, with 585 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is South Padre Island’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in Point Isabel Independent School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas.
How much does South Padre Island spend per student?
$17,449 in Point Isabel Independent School District (FY2024), against $12,815 across Texas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What South Padre Island families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near South Padre Island → 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.