Academic Success at IDEA Public Schools

State Ratings Highlight Academic Success at IDEA Public Schools

DONNA, Texas – IDEA Public Schools, a tuition-free charter school district with campuses in six Rio Grande Valley communities, received a “Recognized” accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) adding to its track record of success. Accountability ratings across the state were released on Friday, July 31. 

All five campuses operating during the 2008-2009 academic school year performed with excellence, earning high marks. Ratings by campus are as follows: IDEA College Prep Donna, Exemplary; IDEA Academy Donna, Recognized; IDEA Quest College Prep (Edinburg), Recognized; IDEA Quest Academy (Edinburg), Exemplary; IDEA Frontier College Prep (Brownsville), Recognized; IDEA Frontier Academy (Brownsville), Exemplary; IDEA College Prep Mission, Academically Acceptable; IDEA College Prep San Benito, Recognized. A sixth campus, IDEA San Juan, is set to open this fall.

“These ratings are a testament to the hard work and dedication produced by our campus leaders, staff and students,” shares Tom Torkelson, IDEA Co-Founder and CEO. “IDEA is on mission to serve students in underserved communities and ensure they reach their highest potential.” Currently 100% of graduates are on college campuses across the nation, where they continue to receive support and guidance from IDEA.

The TEA rating system is based on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), introduced in 2003. The ratings were specifically linked this year to three indicators: Spring 2009 performance on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), the Completion Rate I for the class of 2008, and the 2007-2008 Annual Dropout Rate for grades 7 and 8.