Texas Border Business
MERCEDES, Texas – South Texas Independent School District (STISD) is announced that five of its campuses have been recognized as Apple Distinguished Schools for the 2026-2029 program term. Schools apply and are selected for this distinction based on their commitment to continuous innovation in education and using Apple products to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning.
The campuses designated for this program term include South Texas ISD Health Professions in Mercedes, South Texas ISD Medical Professions in Olmito, South Texas ISD Rising Scholars Academy in San Benito, South Texas ISD Science Academy in Mercedes, and South Texas ISD World Scholars in Edinburg.
With the addition of these campuses, all seven STISD schools are now part of the program, including STISD Virtual Academy (2023–2026) and STISD Preparatory Academy (2025–2028).
Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., Ed.D., superintendent of schools at STISD, shared what this recognition means to the STISD community, saying, “It is an honor to be recognized alongside innovative educational institutions from around the world through the Apple Distinguished Schools program. We are proud of the work happening across our campuses to thoughtfully integrate technology into teaching and learning, and we are grateful for the opportunity to connect with fellow educators, learn from their work, and share the lessons that continue to strengthen the opportunities we provide our students.”
Apple Distinguished Schools are centers of leadership and educational excellence, with a clear vision for how technology-rich environments support learning goals. In Apple Distinguished Schools, forward-thinking leaders and their communities work to inspire, imagine, and impact teaching and learning, and they have documented results of academic accomplishments.
Schools all over the world are using iPad and Mac to transform learning. As teachers incorporate technology into their lessons, they empower students to lead, learn, and thrive, to discover new opportunities, and to make their world a better place.
STISD is comprised of four magnet high schools – South Texas ISD Health Professions in Mercedes, South Texas ISD Medical Professions in Olmito, South Texas ISD Science Academy in Mercedes, and South Texas ISD World Scholars in Edinburg – as well as two middle schools – South Texas ISD Preparatory Academy in Edinburg and South Texas ISD Rising Scholars Academy in San Benito, and one stand-alone virtual campus, South Texas ISD Virtual Academy, which serves students in grades 6-12. All campuses are tuition-free and serve students from Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties. For more information, call 1-800-21STUDY or visit www.stisd.net.
