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Mercedes Early College Academy

Q: Is Mercedes Early College Academy a good school?

Mercedes Early College Academy ranks 807 th of 2009 Texas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

807^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,009 Texas High Schools

Better than 60% of Texas high schools

Summary

Mercedes Early College Academy (MECA) is a small, specialized high school in Mercedes, TX, serving 355 students in grades 9-12 within the Mercedes Independent School District (Isd).

MECA stands out for its exceptional academic performance and efficiency, especially when compared to nearby schools. The school consistently achieves a 100% graduation rate and a near-zero dropout rate, far surpassing the district average of 89.1% and nearby schools like Mercedes High School (91.8%) and Weslaco East High School (93.8%). On STAAR End-of-Course exams, MECA’s proficiency rates are roughly double those of Mercedes High School and triple those of Mercedes Academic Academy. Remarkably, MECA achieves these results with significantly less funding—spending about $8,069 per student, roughly half of what Mercedes High School ($13,860) and Mercedes Academic Academy ($15,782) spend. The school is also highly effective with students from low-income backgrounds and English Language Learners, ranking in the top 30% of the state for serving these groups, despite over 80% of its students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

While MECA is a strong school, it is not in the same tier as selective magnet programs like South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Health Professions or South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Science Academy, which score in the 88th-98th percentile statewide. MECA’s primary challenge is its performance with Gifted and Talented students, where it ranks in the bottom 5% of the state. This suggests an opportunity to better differentiate its rigorous curriculum for these learners. Overall, MECA is a highly effective and efficient public school that serves as a beacon of success within its district.

355

Students ?

15.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$8,738

Per pupil spending ?

80%

Free/discounted lunch ?

950 W 6th St
Mercedes, TX 78570

(956) 514-5180

District: Mercedes Independent School District (Isd)

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

98.0%

White:

1.4%

African American:

0.3%

See top rated Texas high schools

Compare Mercedes Early College Academy to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 90th percentile in 2016 → 60th in 2026

Strengths

✓100% graduate within 4 years

✓Above the Texas median (60th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 30 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

!English I Reading scores 15 pts below the Texas average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school64%

District avg41%

Texas avg62%

807^th of 2,009

Texas public high schools ?

Top 40%▼ down 30 pts since 2016

From top 10% (2016) to top 40% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Texas High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 3High Schools in the Mercedes Independent School District (Isd)

805^th of 951Mercedes Independent School District (Isd) 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	55.5	807 of 2009	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	62.7	607 of 1974	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.4	781 of 1990	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	66.4	523 of 1961	73.3%	★★★★☆
2022	51.7	829 of 1876	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	45.2	1000 of 1861	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	79.1	210 of 1857	88.7%	★★★★☆
2018	82.9	146 of 1797	91.9%	★★★★★
2017	80.3	178 of 1777	90.0%	★★★★★
2016	77.1	171 of 1762	90.3%	★★★★★
2015	80.4	102 of 1743	94.1%	★★★★★
2014	76.1	228 of 1734	86.9%	★★★★☆
2013	68.3	400 of 1652	75.8%	★★★★☆
2012	56.6	648 of 1603	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2011	58.1	861 of 1672	48.5%	★★☆☆☆

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	66.3	339 of 1837	81.5%	★★★★☆
2021	59.1	518 of 1829	71.7%	★★★★☆
2019	83.8	120 of 1810	93.4%	★★★★★
2018	87.3	88 of 1784	95.1%	★★★★★

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	58.7	318 of 1195	73.4%	★★★★☆
2025	61.5	238 of 1153	79.4%	★★★★☆
2024	69.4	242 of 1437	83.2%	★★★★☆
2023	73.3	198 of 1371	85.6%	★★★★☆
2022	50.4	417 of 1278	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	28.7	893 of 1195	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	65.4	225 of 1136	80.2%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	44.3	1066 of 1936	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	47.0	731 of 1504	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	41.0	1084 of 1880	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	64.1	559 of 1891	70.4%	★★★★☆
2022	43.2	1028 of 1841	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	38.7	1129 of 1815	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	69.7	403 of 1798	77.6%	★★★★☆
2018	74.6	289 of 1781	83.8%	★★★★☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	8.9	1165 of 1206	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	10.6	913 of 964	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	24.1	1031 of 1182	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	32.3	969 of 1172	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	5.4	1138 of 1177	3.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	26.1	1017 of 1145	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	36.6	930 of 1137	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	59.5	583 of 1860	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	62.5	365 of 1453	74.9%	★★★★☆
2024	55.8	599 of 1805	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	71.2	323 of 1820	82.3%	★★★★☆
2022	55.4	615 of 1762	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	50.6	759 of 1743	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	82.2	159 of 1714	90.7%	★★★★★
2018	85.1	129 of 1691	92.4%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	58.6	580 of 1937	70.1%	★★★★☆
2025	62.7	331 of 1513	78.1%	★★★★☆
2024	56.5	586 of 1884	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	71.1	305 of 1897	83.9%	★★★★☆
2022	58.7	512 of 1847	72.3%	★★★★☆
2021	51.6	766 of 1848	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	83.4	129 of 1818	92.9%	★★★★★
2018	87.7	105 of 1794	94.1%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	63.6	548 of 1954	72.0%	★★★★☆
2025	63.7	377 of 1515	75.1%	★★★★☆
2024	59.7	591 of 1891	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.2	544 of 1913	71.6%	★★★★☆
2022	56.6	663 of 1853	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.7	836 of 1840	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	84.0	147 of 1824	91.9%	★★★★★
2018	88.0	99 of 1803	94.5%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	54.1	505 of 1581	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	52.8	523 of 1478	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	50.0	546 of 1418	61.5%	★★★☆☆

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)

At Risk (2022)82nd percentile+26 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)73rd percentile+14 vs school

Male (2026)72nd percentile+12 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)70th percentile+10 vs school

Hispanic (2026)69th percentile+9 vs school

Special Education (2026)68th percentile+8 vs school

Female (2026)45th percentile-15 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)3rd percentile-56 vs school

By subject vs Texas (2025-2026) ?

English II Reading74%+14 vs state

U.S. History74%+3 vs state

Biology68%~ state avg

Algebra I44%-10 vs state

English I Reading41%-15 vs state

★

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Schools Near Mercedes Early College Academy

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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 8th Grade	STAAR Social Studies 8th Grade	Total
Mercedes Early College Academy	Public	9-12	950 W 6th St	Mercedes	78570	Hidalgo County	Mercedes Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 514-5180	355	22	15.9	80.0%	5 (1.4%)	1 (0.3%)	348 (98.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	55.5	807^th of 2009 public high schools	59.8%		62.7	607^th of 1974 public high schools	69.3%	200	44.2	68.1	40.8	73.9	73.6							$8,738
Triumph Public High Schools-Mercedes	Public, Charter	9-12	103 E 2nd St	Mercedes	78570	Hidalgo County	Triumph Public High Schools-Rio Grande Valley	Yes	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 565-5417	109	5	22.1		1 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	108 (99.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5.1	1882^nd of 2009 public high schools	6.3%		7.2	1825^th of 1974 public high schools	7.5%	57	26.9	34.5	13.3	11.4	26.5							$13,098
Mercedes High School	Public	9-12	1200 S Florida	Mercedes	78570	Hidalgo County	Mercedes Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 514-2100	903	61	14.8	92.0%	15 (1.7%)	2 (0.2%)	882 (97.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	16.3	1707^th of 2009 public high schools	15.0%		11.3	1760^th of 1974 public high schools	10.8%	53	23.9	38.1	21.0	48.2	44.8							$13,666
South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Health Professions	Public, Magnet	9-12	700 Med High Dr	Mercedes	78570	Hidalgo County	South Texas Independent School District (Isd)	No	Yes	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 565-2237	781	54	14.5	64.1%	44 (5.6%)	11 (1.4%)	667 (85.4%)	55 (7.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	78.8	236^th of 2009 public high schools	88.3%		81	209^th of 1974 public high schools	89.4%	27	57.1	80.0	83.9	85.1	76.4							$16,697
South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Science Academy	Public, Magnet	9-12	900 Med High Dr	Mercedes	78570	Hidalgo County	South Texas Independent School District (Isd)	No	Yes	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 565-4620	840	65	12.8	54.8%	69 (8.2%)	14 (1.7%)	696 (82.9%)	54 (6.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (0.8%)	84	137^th of 2009 public high schools	93.2%		85.9	124^th of 1974 public high schools	93.7%	13	41.2	81.6	83.0	83.7	91.8							$14,808
South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Virtual Academy	Public, Virtual	6-12	100 Med High Dr	Mercedes	78570	Hidalgo County	South Texas Independent School District (Isd)	No	(n/a)	Yes	(n/a)	(956) 514-4201	212	16	13.6	63.7%	41 (19.3%)	2 (0.9%)	165 (77.8%)	3 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	62.3	614^th of 2009 public high schools	69.4%					(n/a)	47.8	63.0	71.4	79.4	94.9	76.2	63.6	59.1	47.6	42.2	29.6	$13,736
Mercedes Academic Academy	Public	9-12	720 S Mile 1 E	Mercedes	78570	Hidalgo County	Mercedes Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 514-5076	100	9	10.7	96.0%	2 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	98 (98.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9.1	1809^th of 2009 public high schools	10.0%		2.4	1945^th of 1974 public high schools	1.5%	136	6.3	27.3	13.6	28.1	47.8							$7,158
South Palm Gardens High School	Public	9-12	2607 Camino Real Viejo	Mercedes	78570	Hidalgo County	Weslaco Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	No	(956) 565-0404	72	5	14.8	93.1%	1 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	71 (98.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16.5	1702^nd of 2009 public high schools	15.3%					(n/a)			33.3	30.8	47.6							$20,809
Weslaco East High School	Public	9-12	810 S Pleasantview Dr	Weslaco	78596	Hidalgo County	Weslaco Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 969-6950	2,066	127	16.2	86.0%	11 (0.5%)	4 (0.2%)	2,050 (99.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	34.9	1364^th of 2009 public high schools	32.1%		26.4	1487^th of 1974 public high schools	24.7%	123	56.9	59.8	35.8	47.5	60.4							$11,589
Premier H S Of Weslaco	Public, Charter	9-12	2419 Haggar Ave	Weslaco	78596	Hidalgo County	Premier High Schools	Yes	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 781-8800	112	4	25.3	95.5%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	112 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36.2	1331^st of 2009 public high schools	33.7%		20.3	1608^th of 1974 public high schools	18.5%	277	64.7	43.8	40.0	50.0	61.5							$8,780

Frequently Asked Questions about Mercedes Early College Academy

How many students attend Mercedes Early College Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 355 students attended Mercedes Early College Academy.

What district is Mercedes Early College Academy in?

Mercedes Independent School District (Isd)

What is the racial makeup of Mercedes Early College Academy?

Students at Mercedes Early College Academy are 98% Hispanic, 1% White.

Is Mercedes Early College Academy a good school?

Mercedes Early College Academy ranks 807^th of 2009 Texas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Mercedes Early College Academy!

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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.