Mcallen Isd, TX - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Mcallen Isd

McAllen ISD serves a district of substantial size across pre-K through grade twelve. The enrollment is large and heavily concentrated in a single demographic: more than nine in ten students identify as Hispanic. The district spans multiple elementary schools, middle schools, and three high schools, drawing from McAllen and surrounding areas of Hidalgo County.

In reading and English language arts, the district shows solid proficiency across the grade bands where it tests. In grades three through eight, the tested grades cluster in the upper-middle range, with roughly three in five to two in three students reaching proficiency. Grade five stands out at a notably higher rate. Math proficiency is more uneven: early elementary math sits in the low to mid-range, with grades six and seven dipping below that band, though grade eight rebounds to a higher level. Science results at grade eight show upper-middle proficiency; Spanish-language testing in grades four and five shows markedly lower rates, reflecting the smaller population taking those assessments. Social studies at grade eight is a weaker area, with fewer than one in three students meeting proficiency. Overall, the district leans toward reading strength over mathematics and has noticeable gaps in social studies mastery at the tested level.

One data gap worth noting: graduation rate was not provided, so a parent cannot yet assess high school completion outcomes through that lens. The district does publish state testing results across multiple grades, though some grade levels are not yet tested under current state law.

The district has made two concrete, family-relevant moves in the past two years. Property taxes have fallen in two consecutive years, with reductions that exceed state-mandated cuts, directly lowering what homeowners pay for school support. Voters approved a sizable bond program in spring 2026 to fund campus modernization, career and technical education expansions at all three high schools, safety and security upgrades, fine arts facilities, and infrastructure work districtwide, with no increase to the tax rate. Implementation is planned across several years. The district has also embedded Emotional Intelligence as a required curriculum element at every campus from pre-K onward, with dedicated EQ courses as mandatory credits. This is a deliberate pedagogical choice that shapes classroom experience throughout the system.

Housing in the McAllen area carries a below-state-average value, with modest rental costs as well. The affordability of housing relative to income is reasonable for the region. The local labor market shows moderate unemployment.

Among the county's districts, McAllen ISD ranks in the top quartile for overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades. Chronic absenteeism sits above the county median, a factor parents may want to understand further with the school. Per-pupil spending is in the middle range of the county's districts, toward the lower end of that middle. These metrics position the district in the broader county context but do not dictate performance alone; family fit depends on whether the school's curriculum offerings, size, location, and pace align with a child's needs and a household's values.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

20,095

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 94%

Black 0%

White 4%

Asian 1%

Two+ 0%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

52%

77%

Gr 4

33%

80%

Gr 5

61%

80%

Gr 6

57%

83%

Gr 7

56%

84%

Gr 8

56%

89%

Math

Gr 3

44%

70%

Gr 4

21%

69%

Gr 5

22%

—

Gr 6

37%

55%

Gr 7

40%

70%

Gr 8

55%

81%

Science

Gr 5

27%

—

Gr 8

50%

78%

Social studies

Gr 8

25%

51%

all_subjects_approaches

Gr ALL

57%

—

all_subjects_masters

Gr ALL

12%

—

all_subjects_meets

Gr ALL

32%

—

ela_approaches

Gr ALL

56%

—

ela_masters

Gr ALL

11%

—

ela_meets

Gr ALL

33%

—

math_approaches

Gr ALL

58%

—

math_masters

Gr ALL

12%

—

math_meets

Gr ALL

31%

—

science_approaches

Gr ALL

58%

—

science_masters

Gr ALL

17%

—

science_meets

Gr ALL

35%

—

social_studies_approaches

Gr ALL

59%

—

social_studies_masters

Gr ALL

10%

—

social_studies_meets

Gr ALL

29%

—

Schools in this District

31 schools are officially reported under this district.

SOUTHWEST KEY PROGRAM

MICHAEL E FOSSUM MIDDLE

ACHIEVE EARLY COLLEGE H S

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

52%

Grade 3

53%

Grade 4

21%

Grade 5

42%

Grade 6

49%

Grade 7

63%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

60%

Grade 3

36%

Grade 4

67%

Grade 5

65%

Grade 6

64%

Grade 7

66%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

23%

Grade 5

59%

Grade 8

Social Studies

1 grade reported

33%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$214,910

Year-over-year change-0.2%

Range across 4 ZIP codes$181K to $265K

vs. state typical0.71x

vs. national typical0.58x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (4 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
78501	McAllen	$197K	-0.6%	36.8%
78504	McAllen	$265K	+0.7%	32.9%
78503	McAllen	$181K	-0.5%	30.0%
78539	Edinburg	$245K	+0.5%	0.3%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,348/mo

Year-over-year change+0.8%

Range across 4 ZIP codes$1,045 to $1,556/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (4 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
78501	McAllen	$1,171	+2.3%	36.8%
78504	McAllen	$1,556	+1.5%	32.9%
78503	McAllen	$1,340	-1.9%	30.0%
78539	Edinburg	$1,045	-0.0%	0.3%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,084/mo

Home price / national median income2.6x

Annual rent / national median income19.3%

Rent exceeds est. mortgage by$264/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$302,187 (-2.0% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.