High Schools in McAllen Independent School District (Isd)

The McAllen Independent School District (Isd) serves five high schools in south Texas, ranging from a small academy of 47 students to comprehensive high schools with over 2,100 students, and the district holds a 4-star rating statewide.

The standout academic performer is Achieve Early College High School, which consistently ranks in the top 5% of Texas high schools with a 5-star rating and boasts a 100% graduation rate. Its test scores far exceed district and state averages, with over 90% proficiency in Biology, English I, English II, and U.S. History. In contrast, Lamar Academy is a unique, very small school (47 students) with the highest per-student spending at $71,431 and a low student-teacher ratio of 5.8:1, but its academic performance is volatile, with U.S. History scores dropping from 75% to 50% in one year. Among the three comprehensive high schools—McAllen High School, Memorial High School, and Rowe High School—Rowe stands out for its consistent upward trend in state rankings and leads in Biology (78.26% proficiency) and English I (65.7% proficiency). All five schools share excellent graduation rates above 97.5% and near-zero dropout rates, reflecting a district-wide commitment to student retention.

A key takeaway is that Algebra I is a district-wide challenge, with comprehensive high schools scoring below 60% proficiency, even as Achieve Early College High School scores lower in Algebra I (79.71%) than in other subjects. Additionally, the three comprehensive high schools are remarkably similar in size and demographics, suggesting that Rowe’s successful strategies could be shared to elevate the entire district. The high graduation rates across all schools, despite varying levels of economic disadvantage, indicate effective support systems in the district.