Idea Converse Academy

Idea Converse Academy is a K-5 charter school in Converse, TX, serving 743 students as part of the Idea Public Schools district. While the school has a notable strength in 5th-grade science—where 28.21% of students were proficient in 2024-2025, far exceeding nearby schools like Woodlake Elementary (below 13%) and nearly matching the state average—its overall performance has dropped sharply. The school now ranks in the 16th percentile statewide, a steep decline from its 41st percentile peak just two years ago. This drop is seen across all student groups, including those from low-income backgrounds and special education, suggesting a school-wide challenge rather than an isolated issue.

Compared to nearby traditional public schools in the Judson Independent School District (Isd), Idea Converse Academy stands out for its higher spending per student ($11,213) but also for its larger class sizes, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 23.7:1. This is much higher than schools like Copperfield Elementary (15.9:1) and Elolf Steam Academy (17.8:1). Despite spending more, Idea Converse Academy is now outperformed by Copperfield Elementary, which spends about $3,000 less per student and serves a similar percentage of low-income families. Mathematics remains a persistent weakness, with proficiency rates in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades all well below the state average of about 47%.

For parents considering this school, the recent decline is a major concern, especially given the high student-to-teacher ratio and the fact that the school’s extra spending hasn’t translated into better results compared to better-funded local options. While the school has historically been a strong choice for African American students, that advantage has also faded recently. The closest neighbor, Escondido Elementary, offers smaller class sizes and similar academic performance, making it a viable alternative to explore.