South Texas Preparatory Academy, also known as 'STPA', is part of the South Texas Independent School District, in Edinburg, Texas, United States. STPA is a tuition-free magnet junior high school for students in a three-county area along the Texas-Mexico border.
Serving 732 students in grades 6-8, South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy ranks in the top 5% of all schools in Texas for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 5%, and reading proficiency is top 5%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 75% (which is higher than the Texas state average of 41%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 86% (which is higher than the Texas state average of 51%).
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Texas state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 93% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Texas state average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 732 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 93%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 5% in TX
- Math Proficiency: 75% (Top 5%)
- Reading Proficiency: 86% (Top 5%)
- Science Proficiency: 92% (Top 1%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TX Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Texas for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy's student population of 732 students has grown by 27% over five school years.
The teacher population of 45 teachers has grown by 9% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
Total Students
732 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
45 teachers
Year Founded
2008
School Rankings
South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy ranks within the top 5% of all 8,188 schools in Texas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy is 0.36, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#174 out of 8188 schools
(Top 5%)
(Top 5%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
86%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
92%
46%
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
10%
6%
Hispanic
79%
53%
Black
2%
13%
White
7%
25%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
2%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
37%
57%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
11%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TX Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Spartans
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy's ranking?
South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy is ranked #174 out of 8,188 schools, which ranks it among the top 5% of public schools in Texas.
What schools are South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy often compared to?
South Texas Isd Preparatory Academyis often viewed alongside schools like Morris Middle School, Jackson Technology Center by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
75% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 41% TX state average), while 86% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 51% TX state average).
How many students attend South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy?
732 students attend South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
79% of South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy students are Hispanic, 10% of students are Asian, 7% of students are White, 2% of students are Black, and 2% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy?
South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Texas state average of 14:1.
What grades does South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy offer ?
South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy offers enrollment in grades 6-8
What school district is South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy part of?
South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy is part of South Texas Independent School District.
School Reviews
Review South Texas Isd Preparatory Academy. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
