Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD celebrated its historic “A” rating from the Texas Education Agency and the employees behind the achievement during a rock-inspired Staff Convocation on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Bert Ogden Arena.
More than 4,500 PSJA ISD employees came together under the theme “Together We Make the Greatest Hits,” celebrating the district’s “A” rating, 27 “A” rated campuses and 16 “B” rated campuses, while kicking off the 2026-2027 school year with live performances showcasing PSJA students, educators, and alumni.
Check out the gallery below for more photos from the PSJA ISD 2026 Convocation: All images courtesy of PSJA ISD
“Every day, our employees have the opportunity to change the lives of their students,” said PSJA ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alejandro Elias. “Our greatest successes are not achieved by one person. They are created by all of us, together.”
Among the morning’s highlights was a performance by the Allen & William Arnold Elementary Kronos Rock Band, whose young musicians took the stage before thousands of PSJA employees. The celebration also featured the PSJA ISD Unified Band and cheerleaders representing the district’s four comprehensive high schools.
The rock theme culminated with the homecoming of PSJA alumnus and professional drummer Elias “Bones” Rodriguez, who served as keynote speaker. Born and raised in Alamo, Rodriguez has built a career performing and touring with major names in rock, including Mötley Crüe, Julien-K, Dead By Sunrise, and The Union Underground.
In a fitting finale, Rodriguez joined a special ensemble of PSJA educators for a live performance, bringing the arena to its feet and creating a full-circle moment that connected PSJA students, teachers, and alumni through music.
From PSJA to stages around the world, and back home again, the performances captured the spirit of this year’s Convocation: every member of the PSJA Family has a role in creating the district’s next “greatest hit.”
As PSJA ISD begins the 2026-2027 school year, the district is building on the momentum of its “A” rating while continuing its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and providing Opportunities for All.
To learn more about PSJA ISD, visit www.psjaisd.us/whypsja.
