Texas Border Business
SAN JUAN, Texas – The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) kicked off its 18th Annual Countdown to Zero Dropout Recovery Walk on Saturday, September 6, 2025, with a historic turnout of more than 400 volunteers joining together to ensure every student has the opportunity to complete their education.
As part of the Annual Countdown to Zero initiative, PSJA ISD volunteers walk through neighborhoods, aiming to reconnect with students who have dropped out or are not currently attending school. The goal is to provide support, encouragement, and resources to help them return to complete their high school education and explore college or career pathways.
Before the volunteers headed out, PSJA ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alejandro Elias expressed his gratitude to those in attendance and shared a reminder of why these efforts are important for the community.
“Thank you for being here on a Saturday. It takes all of us working together to bring our students back,” said Elias. “Just recently, we celebrated our PSJA CCTA graduation, where over 60 students walked across the stage with a sense of accomplishment. That moment is a direct result of the work we do every year through Countdown to Zero. We are giving students a second chance to finish their education and have better opportunities not just for themselves but for their families.”
Since its inception, the PSJA Countdown to Zero initiative has successfully recovered and re-enrolled thousands of students into school, changing the trajectory of countless lives and families across the PSJA Community.
The 18th Annual PSJA Countdown to Zero will continue with two more walks scheduled for Saturday, September 13th and 20th, 2025, at 8:00 am. Volunteers are encouraged to join the cause and be part of the effort to keep students on track for graduation.
In addition to the annual walks, the PSJA College, Career & Technology Academy (CCTA) is open year-round and continues to accept students. The Academy provides individuals between the ages of 18-26 who have not earned their high school diploma with the opportunity to complete their education and connect with various college and career pathways. Interested individuals can call 956.784.1515 for more information or visit www.psjaisd.us/ccta
