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South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy

Public, Magnet Grades 6-8

204^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,335 Texas Middle Schools

Better than 91% of Texas middle schools

Summary

South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy is a high-performing magnet middle school in San Benito, TX, serving 781 students in grades 6-8 within the South Texas Independent School District (Isd).

This school stands out as an academic powerhouse in the region, consistently ranking in the top 10% of all Texas middle schools. For the 2025-2026 school year, it ranks in the 91st percentile statewide, dramatically outperforming nearby schools like Berta Cabaza Middle (23rd percentile) and Miller Jordan Middle (26th percentile). The school's most impressive achievement is its exceptional performance with economically disadvantaged students, ranking in the 98th percentile for this subgroup despite 57% of its students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. This proves that high poverty does not mean low performance—a stark contrast to schools like Memorial Middle (89% free/reduced lunch, 18th percentile) and Rio Hondo Middle (87% free/reduced lunch, 71st percentile). The school also excels at preparing students for high school, with 8th graders achieving 100% proficiency in English I Reading and 92.59% in Biology on high school-level exams—nearly double the state average.

While the school shows consistent excellence across most subjects, mathematics is a relative area for growth, with 6th-grade Math proficiency at 59.68% compared to Reading scores of 70-83%. The school has also shown a remarkable turnaround for special education students, jumping from the 76th to the 94th percentile in just two years. Interestingly, the school's performance with Gifted and Talented students (59th percentile) is its weakest area, suggesting the curriculum may not fully challenge its highest achievers. The nearby Collegiate Academy (93rd percentile) offers similar high performance, indicating a cluster of strong magnet programs in the San Benito area. With a low student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1 and a zero percent dropout rate, Rising Scholars Academy provides a supportive environment where students consistently achieve at elite levels.

781

Students ?

15.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,953

Per pupil spending ?

57%

Free/discounted lunch ?

151 S Helen Moore Rd
San Benito, TX 78586

(956) 399-4358

District: South Texas Independent School District (Isd)

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

93.3%

White:

3.3%

Asian:

2.3%

See top rated Texas middle schools

Compare South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 97th percentile in 2017 → 91st in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Texas average (72% vs 52% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 9% of Texas middle schools

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 6 percentile points since 2017

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school72%

District avg77%

Texas avg52%

204^th of 2,335

Texas public middle schools ?

Top 9%▼ down 6 pts since 2017

From top 3% (2017) to top 9% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Texas Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2Middle Schools in the South Texas Independent School District (Isd)

58^th of 951South Texas 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	86.3	204 of 2335	91.3%	★★★★★
2025	89.0	167 of 2344	92.9%	★★★★★
2024	94.1	81 of 2372	96.6%	★★★★★
2023	94.5	75 of 2330	96.8%	★★★★★
2022	90.1	136 of 2254	94.0%	★★★★★
2021	86.1	211 of 2252	90.6%	★★★★★
2019	95.9	62 of 2193	97.2%	★★★★★
2018	96.2	58 of 2080	97.2%	★★★★★
2017	96.3	60 of 2027	97.0%	★★★★★

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	68.9	188 of 642	70.7%	★★★★☆
2025	80.4	54 of 505	89.3%	★★★★☆
2024	77.5	90 of 617	85.4%	★★★★☆
2023	74.5	127 of 616	79.4%	★★★★☆
2022	65.8	203 of 606	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	76.3	96 of 589	83.7%	★★★★☆
2019	78.1	94 of 594	84.2%	★★★★☆
2018	83.1	50 of 587	91.5%	★★★★★

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	82.8	172 of 2182	92.1%	★★★★★
2021	62.9	488 of 2118	77.0%	★★★★☆
2019	89.9	84 of 2058	95.9%	★★★★★
2018	78.7	184 of 2008	90.8%	★★★★★

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	76.3	150 of 1390	89.2%	★★★★☆
2025	87.4	93 of 1428	93.5%	★★★★★
2024	86.4	132 of 1770	92.5%	★★★★★
2023	90.0	90 of 1720	94.8%	★★★★★
2022	78.0	176 of 1643	89.3%	★★★★☆
2021	75.0	166 of 1592	89.6%	★★★★☆
2019	89.7	64 of 1445	95.6%	★★★★★
2018	55.3	396 of 1376	71.2%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	83.0	244 of 2240	89.1%	★★★★☆
2025	86.1	138 of 1825	92.4%	★★★★★
2024	91.1	100 of 2242	95.5%	★★★★★
2023	90.3	118 of 2241	94.7%	★★★★★
2022	84.7	221 of 2221	90.0%	★★★★★
2021	85.5	202 of 2151	90.6%	★★★★★
2019	93.0	90 of 2047	95.6%	★★★★★
2018	94.5	67 of 2008	96.7%	★★★★★

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	62.7	614 of 1497	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.0	583 of 1230	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	69.5	432 of 1481	70.8%	★★★★☆
2022	53.5	851 of 1488	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	51.8	873 of 1501	41.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	67.9	468 of 1446	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	80.6	77 of 1430	94.6%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	89.9	96 of 2141	95.5%	★★★★★
2025	92.0	48 of 1731	97.2%	★★★★★
2024	96.1	35 of 2119	98.3%	★★★★★
2023	97.0	33 of 2116	98.4%	★★★★★
2022	93.5	62 of 2077	97.0%	★★★★★
2021	90.1	95 of 2043	95.3%	★★★★★
2019	97.4	30 of 1935	98.4%	★★★★★
2018	97.7	16 of 1895	99.2%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	94.8	46 of 2253	98.0%	★★★★★
2025	93.2	39 of 1820	97.9%	★★★★★
2024	96.0	34 of 2235	98.5%	★★★★★
2023	97.0	33 of 2251	98.5%	★★★★★
2022	91.7	71 of 2220	96.8%	★★★★★
2021	90.5	74 of 2172	96.6%	★★★★★
2019	97.5	31 of 2073	98.5%	★★★★★
2018	98.1	20 of 2039	99.0%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	88.2	173 of 2253	92.3%	★★★★★
2025	88.3	116 of 1818	93.6%	★★★★★
2024	93.2	82 of 2246	96.3%	★★★★★
2023	96.5	48 of 2245	97.9%	★★★★★
2022	93.3	88 of 2228	96.1%	★★★★★
2021	84.1	223 of 2168	89.7%	★★★★☆
2019	97.1	37 of 2069	98.2%	★★★★★
2018	96.7	48 of 2030	97.6%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	85.2	109 of 1956	94.4%	★★★★★
2025	66.8	289 of 1568	81.6%	★★★★☆
2024	62.9	460 of 1891	75.7%	★★★★☆
2023	84.3	113 of 1815	93.8%	★★★★★
2022	77.5	152 of 1757	91.3%	★★★★★
2021	74.2	167 of 1712	90.2%	★★★★★
2019	80.5	122 of 1626	92.5%	★★★★★
2018	99.9	2 of 1597	99.9%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	96.0	13 of 1731	99.2%	★★★★★
2025	96.9	5 of 1439	99.7%	★★★★★
2024	87.6	86 of 1733	95.0%	★★★★★
2023	87.3	114 of 1749	93.5%	★★★★★
2022	71.9	372 of 1723	78.4%	★★★★☆
2021	88.7	82 of 1700	95.2%	★★★★★
2019	90.9	73 of 1684	95.7%	★★★★★
2018	92.5	53 of 1673	96.8%	★★★★★

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)

White (2026)99th percentile+8 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)98th percentile+7 vs school

Hispanic (2026)96th percentile+4 vs school

Special Education (2026)94th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2026)92nd percentile~ school

At Risk (2022)92nd percentile~ school

English Language Learner (2026)89th percentile~ school

Female (2026)89th percentile~ school

Asian (2026)71st percentile-21 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)59th percentile-32 vs school

By subject vs Texas (2025-2026) ?

English I Reading100%+45 vs state

Biology93%+22 vs state

Reading78%+22 vs state

Algebra I74%+20 vs state

Mathematics58%+15 vs state

Social Studies53%+21 vs state

★

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Schools Near South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars 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 7th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 8th Grade	STAAR Social Studies 8th Grade	Total
South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	151 S Helen Moore Rd	San Benito	78586	Cameron County	South Texas Independent School District (Isd)	No	Yes	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 399-4358	781	49	15.8	57.0%	26 (3.3%)	5 (0.6%)	729 (93.3%)	18 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	86.3	204^th of 2335 public middle schools	91.3%		89	167^th of 2344 public middle schools	92.9%	37	74.4	92.6	100.0			70.2	79.2	83.3	59.7		57.0	53.0	$14,953
Berta Cabaza Middle	Public	6-8	2901 Shafer Rd	San Benito	78586	Cameron County	San Benito Consolidated Independent School District	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 361-6600	695	46	14.9	80.0%	9 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	682 (98.1%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	27.5	1803^rd of 2335 public middle schools	22.8%		30.9	1700^th of 2344 public middle schools	27.5%	103	46.0					41.9	28.4	58.5	17.8	10.7	31.3	14.4	$10,602
Collegiate Academy	Public	6-8	2115 N Williams Rd	San Benito	78586	Cameron County	San Benito Consolidated Independent School District	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(956) 361-6100	117	9	12.5	70.1%	2 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	115 (98.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	89.3	160^th of 2335 public middle schools	93.1%		70	533^rd of 2344 public middle schools	77.3%	373	60.5	92.1	81.6			94.4		87.5	86.1		65.0	39.5	$9,023
Coakley Middle	Public	6-8	1402 S 6th St	Harlingen	78550	Cameron County	Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 427-3000	687	55	12.5	82.8%	44 (6.4%)	3 (0.4%)	634 (92.3%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	33.7	1607^th of 2335 public middle schools	31.2%		34.7	1567^th of 2344 public middle schools	33.1%	40	68.3					54.0	49.8	43.4	30.1	12.8	40.8	9.8	$10,410
Vernon Middle	Public	6-8	125 S 13th St	Harlingen	78550	Cameron County	Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 427-3040	631	59	10.7	86.5%	18 (2.9%)	1 (0.2%)	609 (96.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.5%)	46.3	1163^rd of 2335 public middle schools	50.2%		44.2	1249^th of 2344 public middle schools	46.7%	86	78.9					42.4	54.2	62.8	34.9	7.8	48.4	27.4	$12,143
Miller Jordan Middle	Public	6-8	700 N McCullough	San Benito	78586	Cameron County	San Benito Consolidated Independent School District	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 361-6650	477	41	11.7	94.5%	7 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	470 (98.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29.6	1739^th of 2335 public middle schools	25.5%		23.8	1921^st of 2344 public middle schools	18.0%	182	63.8					59.9	16.7	48.6	20.8	9.6	30.7	14.0	$11,762
Memorial Middle	Public	6-8	1901 Rio Hondo Rd	Harlingen	78550	Cameron County	Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 427-3020	705	58	12.1	89.2%	43 (6.1%)	5 (0.7%)	654 (92.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	63.5	671^st of 2335 public middle schools	71.3%		58.8	828^th of 2344 public middle schools	64.7%	157	90.1					58.6	67.4	60.4	40.1	26.2	72.8	25.2	$11,446
Moises Vela Middle	Public	6-8	801 S Palm Blvd	Harlingen	78552	Cameron County	Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 427-3479	761	57	13.2	66.4%	39 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	717 (94.2%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	71.7	479^th of 2335 public middle schools	79.5%		65.7	641^st of 2344 public middle schools	72.7%	162	93.1					60.4	63.1	68.9	42.9	27.7	66.7	50.5	$11,075
Gutierrez Middle	Public	6-8	3205 W Wilson Rd	Harlingen	78552	Cameron County	Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 430-4400	747	60	12.4	69.7%	20 (2.7%)	1 (0.1%)	717 (96.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.1%)	69.8	518^th of 2335 public middle schools	77.8%		58.7	831^st of 2344 public middle schools	64.5%	313	74.2					65.6	68.6	68.9	42.8	22.7	65.2	33.1	$9,990
Idea Harlingen College Preparatory	Public, Charter	6-10	24240 Chester Park Rd	Harlingen	78552	Cameron County	Idea Public Schools	Yes	No	(n/a)	Yes	(956) 272-3912	457	35	13.1	88.0%	24 (5.3%)	4 (0.9%)	425 (93.0%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	49.4	1057^th of 2335 public middle schools	54.7%		43.5	1283^rd of 2344 public middle schools	45.3%	226	49.5	79.6	38.5	59.2	60.0	51.5	53.3	59.2	32.4	37.7		18.1	$16,031

Frequently Asked Questions about South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy

What district is South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy in?

South Texas Independent School District (Isd)

Is South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy a good school?

Yes. South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy ranks in the top 8.7% of Texas middle schools.

What is the racial makeup of South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy?

Students at South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy are 93% Hispanic, 3% White, 2% Asian.

How many students attend South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 781 students attended South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars Academy.

Rate South Texas Independent School District (Isd) Rising Scholars 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.