Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – Over 100 Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) seniors were named Prospective Graduates for an Associate Degree and/or College Certificate from South Texas College (STC) during their Fall Commencement Ceremony held Saturday, December 9, 2023.
A total of 125 PSJA Early College students proudly walked across the stage at the Bert Ogden Arena an entire semester before their high school graduation in May 2024. Of the 125 students, 81 earned Associate Degrees in numerous fields including Biology, Criminal Justice, Graphic Arts, Interdisciplinary Studies, Computer Science, and Mathematics.
Additionally, 44 seniors earned Industry Level Certificates through the PSJA Academies in high-demand fields such as Structural Welding, Automotive, and Computer Application preparing them for post-secondary success.
For PSJA Early College Graduate Damaris Blanco, earning an associate degree before earning her high school diploma was a life-changing milestone she was thrilled to accomplish at an early age.
“My education is a blessing,” said Blanco. “I would like to thank God, my family, my amazing teachers, counselors, and administrators at PSJA Early College High School, and of course my PSJA Family for providing me with the necessary resources, tools, and instruction to lead me on a path of success as I continue with my post-secondary education.”
Through partnerships with South Texas College and other higher education leaders, more than 3,500 PSJA ISD high school students are enrolled in college courses each semester through the district’s nationally recognized Early College Program.
To learn more, visit www.psjaisd.us/earlycollege
