About PSJA ISD
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) is a leading public school district in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, serving more than 29,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade.
PSJA ISD is recognized for expanding access to early college programs, dual credit, and career pathways, allowing students to earn college credit and associate degrees at no cost while still in high school. Each semester, more than 3,000 students enroll in college-level courses through partnerships with South Texas College.
The district maintains a graduation rate above 97% and continues to deliver strong outcomes, including hundreds of associate degrees and industry certifications earned each year, along with millions in college tuition savings for families.
PSJA ISD is also committed to creating opportunities for all, extending beyond students to families and the broader community. Through the PSJA Community Engagement Program, parents and families are supported with resources that strengthen student success. The PSJA Ballew Learning Center provides adults the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and connect to career pathways.
In addition, programs such as PSJA Pathways Toward Independence and the PSJA Family Shop support adults with special needs by providing life skills, job training, and meaningful work opportunities.
Through strong academics, workforce preparation, and community-centered programs, PSJA ISD is preparing students and families for long-term success.
Opportunities for All
What does “Opportunities for All” mean at PSJA ISD?
At Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD), “Opportunities for All” means ensuring that every student, family, and community member has access to education, support, and real pathways to success.
Opportunities for Students
PSJA ISD provides students with access to:
- Early College programs and Dual Credit opportunities
- Associate Degrees in partnership with South Texas College at no cost
- Career and Technical education (CTE) pathways
- Dual language and bilingual education
- strong academic and extracurricular programs
These opportunities prepare students for college, careers, and military service.
Opportunities for Families
PSJA ISD supports families through:
- the PSJA Community Engagement Program
- parent resources and training
- opportunities to stay involved in their child’s education
Opportunities for Adult Learners
PSJA ISD extends education beyond K–12 by offering:
- the PSJA Ballew Learning Center, where adults can earn a high school diploma
- the PSJA College, Career & Technology Academy, where adults ages 18–26 can complete their diploma and connect to career pathways
Opportunities for Individuals with Special Needs
PSJA ISD provides programs that support independence and workforce readiness, including:
- PSJA Pathways Toward Independence
- the PSJA Family Shop, offering life skills training and work-based learning
Why “Opportunities for All” matters
“Opportunities for All” at PSJA ISD means removing barriers, expanding access, and ensuring that every learner—at every stage of life—has the opportunity to succeed.
Points of Pride
PSJA ISD Delivers Strong Academic and Postsecondary Results
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) continues to demonstrate strong academic performance, high graduation rates, and expanded college and career opportunities for students in the Rio Grande Valley.
For the 2024–2025 school year, PSJA ISD reported major gains in early college completion, Associate Degree attainment, Industry Certifications, and Workforce Readiness. These results reflect the district’s focus on preparing students for college, careers, and military service.
What makes PSJA ISD stand out?
PSJA ISD stands out for its:
- High graduation rate
- Early college high school programs
- Free dual credit opportunities
- Associate Degree pathways
- Career and Technical Education programs
- Dual Language Education
- Early Childhood Education Programs
- Focus on College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR)
PSJA ISD Early College and Career Success
PSJA ISD achieved historic results for the Class of 2025 through its early college and career program in partnership with South Texas College.
2024–2025 Early College Outcomes
- 715 students participated in dual credit commencement ceremonies at South Texas College
- 522 students earned associate degrees
- 193 students earned industry certifications
Students earned Associate Degrees in:
- Biology
- Criminal Justice
- Computer Science
- Graphic Arts
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Mathematics
Students earned Industry Certifications in:
- Structural Welding
- Automotive Technology
- Computer Applications
These results show that PSJA ISD students graduate with both academic credentials and career-ready skills.
How much money have PSJA ISD families saved through Dual Credit?
PSJA ISD continues to lead the Rio Grande Valley in reducing college costs for families.
- Families have saved more than $96 million in college tuition since 2013
- This is the highest total savings of any school district in the Rio Grande Valley
Through its partnership with South Texas College, students earn college credits at no cost while still in high school.
What is the graduation rate at PSJA ISD?
PSJA ISD maintains a graduation rate above 98%, which is significantly higher than state averages.
Students graduate with:
- College Credit
- Associate Degrees
- Industry Certifications
- Workforce-ready skills
This gives graduates a strong start in college and career pathways.
- How did PSJA ISD perform in Texas accountability ratings?
- What early college opportunities does PSJA ISD offer?
- Does PSJA ISD offer Dual Language programs?
- What early childhood programs does PSJA ISD provide?
- What Career and Technical Education programs are available?
- How does PSJA ISD support College, Career, and Military Readiness?
- PSJA ISD 2024–2025 Key Results
- Why PSJA ISD matters for students and families
How did PSJA ISD perform in Texas accountability ratings?
Under the Texas Education Agency accountability system for 2024–2025, PSJA ISD continues to demonstrate strong academic outcomes across campuses.
- 98%+ graduation rate
- Overall TEA accountability rating of B
- 16 campuses rated A
These ratings reflect performance in student achievement, school progress, and closing achievement gaps.
In addition to state accountability results, PSJA ISD campuses are also earning national recognition for academic rigor.
Two campuses, PSJA T. Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School and PSJA Collegiate School of Health Professions, earned the College Board AP School Honor Roll Gold Level Recognition for the 2024–2025 school year. This marks the first time the district has had two campuses receive this distinction in the same year.
The recognition reflects strong performance in expanding access to Advanced Placement (AP) coursework and supporting students in earning college credit while in high school.
PSJA ISD continues to grow participation in AP courses, with students actively enrolling in college-level classes and successfully earning qualifying scores on AP exams. This progress supports a strong college-going culture and reinforces the district’s focus on academic excellence and postsecondary readiness.
What early college opportunities does PSJA ISD offer?
PSJA ISD offers a unique wall-to-wall Early College High School model, with all six comprehensive high schools designated as Early College campuses—a distinction that sets PSJA ISD apart from other school districts in the Rio Grande Valley.
A wall-to-wall model means that early college opportunities are available to all students at every high school, rather than limited to a single campus or a small group of participants.
Through this model, students can:
- earn up to 60 college credit hours
- graduate with an associate degree at no cost
- complete industry certifications
By providing early college access at every high school, PSJA ISD ensures that all students—not just a select group—have the opportunity to graduate with college credentials and a head start on their future.
Does PSJA ISD offer Dual Language programs?
Yes. The PSJA Dual Language Enrichment Program supports:
- bilingualism
- biliteracy
- academic achievement
- cultural competence
Students develop literacy in English and Spanish and may earn the Texas Seal of Biliteracy.
Beginning in the 2024–2025 school year, PSJA ISD expanded its Dual Language Enrichment Program to include Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses, allowing students to build both technical skills and bilingual proficiency at the same time.
This expansion gives students the opportunity to:
- pursue industry-based certifications
- complete college-level coursework
- graduate bilingual and biliterate
By integrating dual language with career pathways, PSJA ISD is preparing students for high-demand, high-wage careers in a global workforce.
District leadership emphasizes that combining technical expertise with bilingual skills gives students a clear advantage after graduation. This approach, often described as “dual language, dual power,” reflects PSJA ISD’s commitment to expanding opportunity and preparing students for diverse professional environments.
What early childhood programs does PSJA ISD provide?
PSJA ISD offers early learning programs including:
- Full-day Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 at every elementary campus
- Building Blocks Academies for kindergarten readiness
- Family engagement aligned with state standards
These programs help students build strong foundations in literacy, math, and social-emotional development.
What Career and Technical Education programs are available?
How does PSJA ISD support College, Career, and Military Readiness?
PSJA ISD 2024–2025 Key Results
Why PSJA ISD matters for students and families
PSJA ISD provides a comprehensive education that includes early learning, college access, career training, and strong academic outcomes.
Students graduate with real advantages, including college credits, degrees, and certifications. Families benefit from reduced college costs and increased access to higher education.
PSJA ISD continues to be a leading school district in the Rio Grande Valley focused on student success, affordability, and opportunity.
Our History
On March 15, 1919 Common School District No. 4 in Hidalgo County became Pharr-San Juan Independent School District. Forty years later in 1959, Alamo merged with the district, establishing what is now known as the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District, a district that caters to over 29,000 students in the tri-city area.
PSJA ISD houses students from three different cities, who come from similar backgrounds and way of life. The student body at PSJA ISD is 98.97% Hispanic, 85.37% economically disadvantaged and 73.16% at risk. With the district’s proximity to Mexico, 41.36% of the students are considered Limited English Proficient (LEP) with Spanish being the language spoken at home.
Despite those figures, PSJA ISD has maintained a culture of pride and excellence. Known for its “children first” environment it has actively taken those challenges and has helped motivate students to pursue an education beyond high school.
For the 2018-19 school year, 12 PSJA campuses earned "A" ratings from the Texas Education Agency. In addition, seven schools earned All-Performance Distinction Designations for ELA/Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies (Middle Schools Only), Academic Growth, Closing the Gaps and Postsecondary Readiness.
PSJA's Carmen Anaya Elementary and Cesar Chavez Elementary, both located in the South Pharr, Las Milpas area, were designated National Blue Ribbon Schools in 2018. Since the inception of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program's, PSJA ISD has had three other schools receive these honors. In the 1987-88 school year Raul Longoria Elementary was awarded the Blue Ribbon School designation. In the 1998-99 school year, Napper Elementary received this honor and in 2009 James Bowie Elementary, now McKeever Elementary was awarded.
PSJA ISD believes all children can learn and within that motto it is focused on performance by having highly qualified teaching staff, effective research-based curriculum, plus state-of-the-art technology to meet all instructional needs.
