Texas Border Business
MERCEDES, Texas – Educational Results Partnership (ERP) has released its 2025 Texas Honor Roll, recognizing the state’s highest performing schools. South Texas Independent School District (STISD) earned a place on the Honor Roll Districts list, while four STISD campuses were named to the Honor Roll Schools list.
The ERP Honor Roll identifies schools and districts that have outperformed their peers in student achievement, improvement overtime, and closing achievement gaps—particularly among higher-poverty and historically underserved student populations. This marks the eleventh year ERP has published the Honor Roll.
The four STISD campuses recognized in 2025 are STISD Health Professions in Mercedes, STISD Medical Professions in Olmito,STISD Preparatory Academy in Edinburg, and STISD Rising Scholars Academy in San Benito.
Statewide, 1,076 schools and 84 school districts earned Honor Roll recognition this year—representing approximately 15 percent of all Texas schools and 14.5 percent of districts. The full list of Honor Roll schools and districts is available on ERP’s website.
“We are proud of our district and campus communities for achieving this recognition,” said Marco Antonio Lara, Jr., Ed.D., superintendent of schools for STISD. “This honor reflects our continued commitment to preparing every student for college, career, and life.”
The Honor Roll program is part of a national effort to engage business leaders in recognizing effective schools and promoting best practices that improve student outcomes. The 2025 Honor Roll is presented in collaboration with the Texas Business Leadership Council.
“Texas Business Leadership Council is proud to recognize higher performing schools in our state that are preparing students with theskills needed to be successful in a globally competitive workforce,” said Justin Yancy, president and CEO of the Texas Business Leadership Council.
“Many educators across Texas are already delivering rigorous instruction that equips students with the fundamentalsthey need to succeed in the workforce and in life,” said ERP’s Board Chair James Lanich, Ph.D. “The Honor Roll recognizes that work—identifying schools in a diversity of ZIP codes where students of all backgrounds are masteringthe core academic skills that will help them thrive in a rapidly changing world of work.”
“Across Texas, there are schools and systems delivering strong results for students of all backgrounds,” said Alex Barrios, President& CEO of ERP. “The Honor Roll recognizes these schools because they are doing something essential—preparing students withdurable, foundational skills that
remain valuable in any economy, particularly as artificial intelligence continues to transform the nature
of work.”
About Educational Results Partnership
Educational Results Partnership (ERP) is a nonprofit organization that applies data science and predictive analytics to identify successful public education systems, practices, programs, and policies that are delivering the best results for students. ERP hasaccumulated the nation’s largest database on student achievement from kindergarten into the labor market. In partnership with educators and employers, ERP charts the pathways that lead to academic success and living-wage jobs. ERP’s goal is to ensure that more students are equipped to enter the workforce with the skills today’s global economy demands.
About Campaign for Business and Education Excellence
The Campaign for Business and Education Excellence (CBEE) aims to improve economic mobility for the next generation of learners by matching talent to jobs and career opportunities. Aligning academic achievements with job market needs, the campaign engages employers while helping learners pursue careers matched to their existing skills and abilities. Learners across the United States can discover how their education opens doors to immediate career opportunities.
About South Texas ISD
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.
