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Idea La Joya College Preparatory

Public, Charter Grades 6-9

2100^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,335 Texas Middle Schools

Better than 10% of Texas middle schools

Summary

Idea La Joya College Preparatory in La Joya, TX, is a middle school serving 344 students in grades 6-9 as part of the Idea Public Schools charter network, and it has experienced a sharp decline in academic performance over the past four years, dropping from the 37th percentile to the 10th percentile statewide. This school serves a high-poverty community, with over 91% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, but its test scores are now significantly below both state averages and nearby schools. For example, in 6th-grade reading, only 28.45% of students were proficient, compared to 57.89% at Memorial Middle and 65.42% at Irene M Garcia Middle, both in the La Joya Independent School District (Isd).

The school’s struggles are widespread, affecting nearly all student groups. Hispanic students dropped from the 67th percentile to the 10th percentile, and students from low-income backgrounds fell from the 71st percentile to the 13th percentile. Even a former strength—support for special education students—has eroded, with their ranking plummeting from the 93rd percentile to the 14th percentile. While the school has a low dropout rate of 0.5% and small class sizes (an 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio), these positives are not translating into academic success. Nearby Idea Palmview College Preparatory, a sister school just 7 miles away, ranks in the 41st percentile, suggesting the issue is specific to this campus.

One interesting bright spot is that advanced 8th graders taking Algebra I scored 31.97% proficient, though this is still far below the state average of 54.03% and the 100% proficiency achieved at nearby schools like Cesar Chavez Middle and Lorenzo De Zavala Middle. Overall, Idea La Joya is moving in the wrong direction while many neighbors improve, indicating a need for urgent intervention to reverse its downward trend.

344

Students ?

11.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,335

Per pupil spending ?

91.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

725 E Expy 83
La Joya, TX 78560

(956) 766-3100

District: Idea Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

98.0%

White:

1.5%

Asian:

0.6%

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Compare Idea La Joya College Preparatory to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 37th percentile in 2023 → 10th in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 11 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Texas average (32% vs 53% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (10th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 27 percentile points since 2023

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school32%

District avg49%

Texas avg53%

2,100^th of 2,335

Texas public middle schools ?

Bottom 10%▼ down 26 pts since 2023

From bottom 37% (2023) to bottom 10% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Texas Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

16^th of 16Middle Schools in the Idea Public Schools

546^th of 951Idea Public Schools among Texas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	17.5	2100 of 2335	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	28.7	1776 of 2344	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	32.1	1671 of 2372	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	37.5	1479 of 2330	36.5%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2025	44.4	722 of 1428	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	47.6	802 of 1770	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.6	625 of 1720	63.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	22.1	1935 of 2240	13.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	27.7	1416 of 1825	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	41.3	1288 of 2242	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	43.4	1252 of 2241	44.1%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	20.3	1935 of 2141	9.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	38.5	1078 of 1731	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	58.4	708 of 2119	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	47.2	1042 of 2116	50.8%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	23.7	1951 of 2253	13.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	39.2	1105 of 1820	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	61.1	641 of 2235	71.3%	★★★★☆
2023	46.1	1172 of 2251	47.9%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	14.6	2108 of 2253	6.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	38.3	1114 of 1818	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	33.4	1518 of 2246	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	31.7	1596 of 2245	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	26.6	1690 of 1956	13.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	64.3	342 of 1568	78.2%	★★★★☆
2024	81.1	125 of 1891	93.4%	★★★★★
2023	69.5	266 of 1815	85.3%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

English Language Learner (2025)49th percentile+25 vs school

Female (2026)14th percentile+4 vs school

Special Education (2026)14th percentile+4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)13th percentile+3 vs school

Hispanic (2026)10th percentile~ school

Male (2026)6th percentile-4 vs school

By subject vs Texas (2025-2026) ?

English II Reading55%-5 vs state

Biology40%-31 vs state

U.S. History37%-33 vs state

English I Reading34%-21 vs state

Reading33%-23 vs state

Algebra I32%-22 vs state

Mathematics18%-17 vs state

Social Studies14%-18 vs state

★

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Schools Near Idea La Joya College Preparatory

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				STAAR EOC Algebra I (2026)	STAAR EOC Biology (2026)	STAAR EOC English I Reading (2026)	STAAR EOC English II Reading (2026)	STAAR EOC U.S. History (2026)	STAAR Reading (2026)			STAAR Mathematics (2026)			STAAR Social Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	STAAR EOC Algebra I End of Course	STAAR EOC Biology End of Course	STAAR EOC English I Reading End of Course	STAAR EOC English II Reading End of Course	STAAR EOC U.S. History End of Course	STAAR Reading 6th Grade	STAAR Reading 7th Grade	STAAR Reading 8th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 6th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 7th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 8th Grade	STAAR Social Studies 8th Grade	Total
Idea La Joya College Preparatory	Public, Charter	6-9	725 E Expy 83	La Joya	78560	Hidalgo County	Idea Public Schools	Yes	No	(n/a)	No	(956) 766-3100	344	30	11.4	91.3%	5 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	337 (98.0%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17.5	2100^th of 2335 public middle schools	10.1%		28.7	1776^th of 2344 public middle schools	24.2%	324	32.0	40.0	34.0	54.6	37.3	28.5	32.5	38.5	17.4	19.2		13.8	$15,335
Lorenzo De Zavala Middle	Public	6-8	603 N Tabasco St	La Joya	78560	Hidalgo County	La Joya Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 323-2770	545	43	12.7	91.0%	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	543 (99.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	36.2	1520^th of 2335 public middle schools	34.9%		32.3	1651^st of 2344 public middle schools	29.6%	131	100.0					48.0	46.3	36.8	33.9	10.3	46.3	24.1	$10,310
Cesar Chavez Middle	Public	6-8	78 Showers Rd	Mission	78572	Hidalgo County	La Joya Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 323-2800	625	41	15.3	87.2%	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	622 (99.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	45.4	1198^th of 2335 public middle schools	48.7%		36.6	1509^th of 2344 public middle schools	35.6%	311	100.0					58.0	48.2	58.0	34.1	9.7	43.9	25.1	$9,510
Ann Richards Middle	Public	6-8	7005 Ann Richards Rd	Mission	78572	Hidalgo County	La Joya Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 323-2860	665	41	16.3	92.9%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	665 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24.3	1923^rd of 2335 public middle schools	17.6%		37.7	1467^th of 2344 public middle schools	37.4%	456	91.2					33.5	46.4	41.1	16.6	4.2	35.2	18.3	$9,250
Dr Javier Saenz Middle	Public	6-8	39200 Mile 7 Rd	Penitas	78576	Hidalgo County	La Joya Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 323-2830	601	46	13.1	98.5%	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	600 (99.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30.3	1707^th of 2335 public middle schools	26.9%		29.6	1746^th of 2344 public middle schools	25.5%	39	96.3					36.9	37.1	45.1	31.3	2.7	39.9	26.8	$11,227
Irene M Garcia Middle	Public	6-8	933 Paula Dr	Mission	78572	Hidalgo County	La Joya Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 323-2840	601	43	14.1	86.4%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	601 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	53.2	939^th of 2335 public middle schools	59.8%		50.1	1071^st of 2344 public middle schools	54.3%	132	100.0					65.4	55.4	51.3	36.2	6.0	50.9	32.8	$9,787
Memorial Middle	Public	6-8	2610 N Moorefield Rd	Mission	78572	Hidalgo County	La Joya Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 323-2820	663	48	13.9	83.3%	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	661 (99.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	70.7	498^th of 2335 public middle schools	78.7%		61.7	757^th of 2344 public middle schools	67.7%	259	100.0					57.9	61.9	69.1	50.8	27.1	64.2	40.3	$10,174
Idea Palmview College Preparatory	Public, Charter	6-10	4100 N Schuerbach Rd	Mission	78572	Hidalgo County	Idea Public Schools	Yes	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 377-8000	446	31	14.5	99.6%	10 (2.2%)	1 (0.2%)	435 (97.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	41	1372^nd of 2335 public middle schools	41.2%		37.7	1466^th of 2344 public middle schools	37.5%	94	45.1	53.3	47.1	60.0	74.1	37.8	46.0	47.0	35.4	33.3		33.3	$17,367
Juan De Dios Salinas Middle	Public	6-8	6101 N Bentsen Palm Dr	Mission	78574	Hidalgo County	La Joya Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 323-2850	648	49	13.2	97.2%	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	647 (99.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28.6	1771^st of 2335 public middle schools	24.2%		28.2	1789^th of 2344 public middle schools	23.7%	18	96.3					40.9	42.7	32.1	31.0	12.4	34.1	25.2	$10,373
White J H	Public	6-8	1101 W Griffin Pkwy	Mission	78572	Hidalgo County	Mission Consolidated Independent School District	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 323-3600	831	61	13.6	85.8%	7 (0.8%)	1 (0.1%)	823 (99.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	47.2	1133^rd of 2335 public middle schools	51.5%		41.1	1361^st of 2344 public middle schools	41.9%	228	100.0					47.6	52.0	61.2	26.1	13.3	55.8	27.7	$10,969

Frequently Asked Questions about Idea La Joya College Preparatory

How many students attend Idea La Joya College Preparatory?

In the 2024-25 school year, 344 students attended Idea La Joya College Preparatory.

What district is Idea La Joya College Preparatory in?

Idea Public Schools

Is Idea La Joya College Preparatory a good school?

Idea La Joya College Preparatory ranks in the bottom 10.1% of Texas middle schools.

What is the racial makeup of Idea La Joya College Preparatory?

Students at Idea La Joya College Preparatory are 98% Hispanic, 1% White.

Rate Idea La Joya College Preparatory!

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Latest Texas data All new data »

2025–26 STAAR, STAAR EOC & STAAR Spanish test scoresJun 12, 2026

2021–22 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 10, 2026

2023–24 dropout rates & graduation ratesSep 17, 2025

2024–25 STAAR EOC & STAAR Spanish test scoresJun 23, 2025

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.