Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District

The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District serves 29 schools in the Rio Grande Valley, including 18 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 5 high schools, and 1 alternative school, and is ranked in the 71st percentile statewide with a 4-star rating.

The district’s standout performers are its two magnet high schools. Harlingen Collegiate High School ranks in the 99th percentile and achieves near-perfect test scores—98.68% proficiency in U.S. History—while spending the least per student ($8,022). Harlingen School Of Health Professions ranks in the 95th percentile with a 100% graduation rate. Both schools have low poverty rates (54-56% free/reduced lunch) compared to the district average of 79%. At the elementary level, Lee H Means Elementary is the top performer, ranking in the 94th percentile with 83.76% of 3rd graders proficient in reading. In contrast, Jefferson Elementary ranks in the 27th percentile with critically low scores—0% of 5th graders proficient in science—and a 94.21% poverty rate. Among middle schools, Moises Vela Middle leads with 93.07% proficiency in Algebra I, while Coakley Middle struggles with only 9.78% of 8th graders proficient in social studies.

A key district-wide weakness is middle school math, with only 19.76% of 7th graders proficient, well below the state average. However, several elementary schools show strong improvement trends, including Bonham Elementary (rising from the 33rd to 61st percentile) and Houston Elementary (34th to 66th percentile). Spending does not guarantee success: Jefferson Elementary spends $11,916 per student but performs poorly, while the Secondary Alter Center spends $127,297 per student due to its specialized population. Overall, the district’s magnet schools set a high bar, but traditional schools face significant challenges tied to high poverty rates.