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South Texas Independent School District (Isd)


At a glance
58thof 951 Texas districts▼ 14
Better than 93% of Texas districts
Middle 2High 5Grades 6-12
7001 E Expy 83
Mercedes, TX 78570-4676
·(956) 565-2454·All Texas district rankings →
Statewide performance 2018–2026
2026: better than 93.9% of districts
9
Schools
4,639
Students
4
5-star schools
Top rankedSouth Texas Independent School District (Isd) Preparatory Academy25th of 2,335 Texas middle schools
SchoolDigger ratings
5★
4★
3★
2 schools without a SchoolDigger rating (too few tested students)
Summary:

The South Texas Independent School District (Isd) is a unique, high-performing district in Texas consisting of seven magnet-style schools serving grades 6 through 12, with a total enrollment of about 4,639 students. Despite serving a predominantly economically disadvantaged population, the district ranks in the 94th percentile statewide, showcasing exceptional academic outcomes.

The standout school is the South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Preparatory Academy, a middle school ranked in the 99th percentile of all Texas middle schools, with near-perfect proficiency in advanced subjects like Biology and English I. In contrast, the South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Virtual Academy is the district's lowest-ranked school, with test scores often below state averages, particularly in 8th Grade Science. Among high schools, the South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Science Academy leads with a perfect 100% graduation rate and a top 10% state ranking, while the South Texas Independent School District (Isd) World Scholars has shown a notable recent jump to the 94th percentile. The South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy, though still strong, has seen a decline from the 97th to the 91st percentile over three years.

A key district-wide challenge is Algebra I, where proficiency (69.37%) lags behind other subjects like Biology (88.85%) and English I (81.45%). All schools maintain a 0% dropout rate, with graduation rates near 100%, and small class sizes (student-teacher ratios from 12.8:1 to 15.8:1) are a consistent strength. The district's high per-pupil spending (averaging $13,699) and magnet model effectively overcome socioeconomic barriers, making it a top choice for families seeking rigorous, specialized education in South Texas.

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Ranking:
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E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private




SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Texas Education Agency.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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