Texas Border Business
PHARR – Berta Palacios Elementary in Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) has been authorized as an International Baccalaureate World School for the Primary Years Program (PYP) by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB).
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) offers a transdisciplinary, inquiry-based and student-centered education with responsible action at its core, enabling students to learn between, across and beyond traditional subject boundaries. Through the programme of inquiry and by reflecting on their learning, PYP students develop knowledge, conceptual understandings, skills and the attributes of the IB Learner profile.
“This program will expose our students to the world around them and help us instill in them valuable attributes that will make them life-long learners. As educators our job is to make sure we are helping students make meaningful connections for their success,” said Palacios Elementary Principal Michelle Fox-Cardoza. “As an IB School, our work further aligns with our district’s vision of preparing students to compete and excel in today’s global society.”
With Palacios Elementary, PSJA ISD now has three campuses in Pharr that have earned this rigorous IB authorization. Campuses include Graciela Garcia Elementary, first authorized in 2009 and Liberty Middle School, which received its designation in 2013.
“We commend Palacios Elementary leadership, faculty and staff for working hard to earn this prestigious designation,” said PSJA Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “We want to prepare our students to achieve the highest levels of success and their years in elementary are critical to establish a strong foundation.”
As a World School, Palacios Elementary will use the IB curriculum framework to develop students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being, focusing on international-mindedness and a sense of belonging to local and global communities.
“Earning this authorization shows that the staff at Palacios is willing to be models of risk-taking and open-minded educators that prepare our students for global citizenship,” said PSJA Chief of Academics Dr. Rudy Treviño. “This IB program will help our students participate in a rigorous international program designed to develop our students’ intellectual, emotional, personal and social skills.”
About PSJA ISD Elementary Schools
In addition to International Baccalaureate campuses, PSJA ISD has numerous elementary campuses designated as National Blue Ribbon Schools and Honor Roll Schools for their high achievement in student academic success.
In addition, all PSJA ISD elementary schools offer highly rated and nationally recognized Academic Enrichment, Fine Arts & Athletic Programs such as:
- Dual Language Enrichment Program
- A.R. Reading Laureate Program
- UIL Competitive Programs
- Destination Imagination
- Gifted & Talented Program
- Spelling Bee
- PSJA Summer Reading Program
- Robotics, Chess & Coding
- Local Habitat Conservation
- Choir
- Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball
- Dance/Cheerleading/Folkloric
- Enrichment Camps, to name a few
