Texas Border Business
PHARR – GreatSchools.org, the nation’s leading nonprofit empowering parents to unlock educational opportunities for their children, announced the recipients of its 2020 College Success Award. PSJA T. Jefferson T-STEM Early College High School in Pharr was among only 26 campuses in South Texas recognized.
The Award honors high schools around the country that excel in ensuring students are prepared for college and careers — as determined by available data in each state. These schools, graduate students who are academically primed for college-level courses, enroll in two- or four-year colleges and persist into their second year. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten the physical and financial health of the nation, the award-winning schools are ensuring students graduate with the skills and resources to succeed as post-secondary scholars and productive citizens. College- and career-ready graduates are critical to fueling the U.S. economy, as 70 percent of jobs will require a post-secondary degree by 2027.
“Congratulations to our students, parents, and staff for their hard work and dedication in making this happen,” said PSJA Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “We commend you for your efforts and representing our PSJA Family at this level.”
The College Success Award delivers a snapshot of whether a high school provides opportunities for all students — regardless of their background or circumstances — to prepare for, enroll in, and succeed in college. In addition to analysis of key indicators for college preparedness, enrollment, and performance, schools that succeed in supporting students from low-income backgrounds receive additional favorability.
“This year’s Award comes at a time when the nation is deeply valuing the perspectives of young people — and the important contributions they will make to our country’s future,” said Jon Deane, CEO of GreatSchools.org. “We commend these award-winning schools for prioritizing college readiness, giving their students opportunities to build the bright futures they deserve. The Award also underscores the need for more states to make post-secondary school-level data publicly available in order to identify successful schools that prepare students for success in school and in life.”
PSJA T-STEM was the first school within the district to be designated Early College by the Texas Education Agency. Since its inception in 2008, the district began its “College for All” initiative currently providing dual and concurrent enrollment coursework at all district high schools.
Through PSJA ISD’s Early College work, students are able to graduate with up to 60 college hours or an Associate Degree from higher education partner South Texas College before their high school graduation.
With a 600-plus student body, PSJA T-STEM specializes in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related careers. Students primarily graduate with Associate Degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Physics, and Computer Science, to name a few, and enroll in a variety of universities, including some of the most prestigious in the nation.
To learn more about the Award methodology, download lists of winning schools by state, and to see videos stories from College Success Award National Spotlight Schools, visit https://bit.ly/3o42JbT.
