Texas Border Business
MERCEDES, Texas – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently released the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 A-F accountability ratings for school systems and campuses throughout the state. For both years, South Texas Independent School District (STISD) received an A rating and overall numerical score of 94.
In the 2025 accountability ratings, STISD’s score claimed the district the highest mark in the Region One area and 25th in school districts throughout the state of Texas.
The district received A ratings in the areas of Student Achievement, School Progress, Relative Performance, and Closing the Gaps, and also earned the Postsecondary Readiness Distinction Designation, the only one available at the district level. STISD has received this designation every year since it became available, a total of 10 times.
Six of the district’s seven middle and high school campuses also earned A ratings overall, including: South Texas ISD Health Professions in Mercedes (Health Professions), South Texas ISD Medical Professions in Olmito (Medical Professions), South Texas ISD Preparatory Academy in Edinburg (Preparatory Academy), South Texas ISD Rising Scholars Academy in San Benito (Rising Scholars), South Texas ISD Science Academy in Mercedes (Science Academy), and South Texas ISD World Scholars in Edinburg (World Scholars). The district’s newest campus, South Texas ISD Virtual Academy (Virtual Academy), earned a B rating.
In addition to receiving A ratings, three of the STISD campuses also received all distinction designations for which they were eligible, including Preparatory Academy, Rising Scholars, and the Science Academy.
STISD is comprised of four magnet high schools – South Texas ISD Health Professions in Mercedes, South Texas ISD Medical Professions in Olmito, South Texas ISD Science Academy in Mercedes, and South Texas ISD World Scholars in Edinburg – as well as two middle schools – South Texas ISD Preparatory Academy in Edinburg and South Texas ISD Rising Scholars Academy in San Benito, and one stand-alone virtual campus, South Texas ISD Virtual Academy, which serves students in grades 6-12. All campuses are tuition-free and serve students from Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties. For more information, call 1-800-21STUDY or visit www.stisd.net.
