The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo School District (PSJA ISD) is transitioning one of its current High School Programs into the district’s first 6th through 12th grade standalone campus for the 2022-2023 school year. Courtesy Imag
Texas Border Business
SAN JUAN – The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo School District (PSJA ISD) is transitioning one of its current High School Programs into the district’s first 6th through 12th grade standalone campus for the 2022-2023 school year.
Opening August 2022, PSJA Collegiate School of Health Professions will focus on educating the next generation of healthcare and medical professionals, helping address projected critical shortages in the workforce.
According to a Texas Health & Human Services report published in 2020, the Rio Grande Valley along with other public health regions across the State of Texas, is projected to face critical shortages of physicians and healthcare professionals within the next decade. Results from the report indicate that demand for physicians specializing in various fields including anesthesiology, family medicine, pediatrics, psychology, and nurses, to name a few, is projected to increase significantly by 2032.
As a result, PSJA Collegiate School of Health Professions will be designated an Early College campus helping expand the district’s Portfolio of High Schools while providing another school choice focused on health sciences for 6th through 12th grade students in Hidalgo County.
The school will provide a small middle and high school setting, as well as advanced-academics and college readiness opportunities with a focus on health care.
“Through this new school design, we will be helping to educate and develop the next generation of healthcare professionals to help address the critical shortage of these high-demand professions,” said PSJA Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “As one of the largest school districts in the Rio Grande Valley, we take our responsibility of educating and preparing students while helping meet the educational needs of our region, state, and nation.”
In addition to conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of the region’s employment needs, and high demand careers, focus groups consisting of PSJA ISD parents, students, and staff, also helped prioritize the healthcare field as an area of interest for families.
The redesigned campus, which opened in the fall of 2018, will continue to serve its current student body while accepting a new cohort of rising 6th and 9th grade students for the new school year starting August 2022. A limited number of students will be accepted.
“We want to thank our team and families for helping us throughout this journey,” said PSJA Chief Academic Officer Dr. Rudy Treviño. “The redesign of this school will continue to place PSJA ISD as a leader in providing schools that fit our students’ educational goals. This is one of many high-quality schools with rigorous academic programs our families can choose from.”
Individuals interested in learning more and attending future information sessions can complete this interest form. For more information, visit www.psjaisd.us/CollegiateHealth or call 956-354-2290.
