Education

Point Isabel Independent School District

Point Isabel ISD serves approximately 2600 students from the communities of South Padre Island, Port Isabel, Laguna Heights, Laguna Vista and Boca Chica on two elementary campuses, a junior high and a high school. Home of the “Mighty Tarpons,” the district’s mission is to prepare skilled, life-long learners to responsibly contribute to our global society.

Port Isabel High School is ranked in the top 10% in the state and was named one of America’s Best High Schools by U.S. News and World Report for two consecutive years. The district has been designated a District of Innovation by the Texas Education Agency and is one of five demonstration sites for Raise Your Hand Texas Blended Learning grant program. The innovative five year business plan for implementation of Blended Learning will transform the education experience for students by providing a personalized approach to better meet each student’s individual academic goals.

Point Isabel ISD students excel in academics and extra-curricular activities. The fighting Tarpon athletic teams consistently succeed in district, regional and state competitions. The award winning Silver Tarpon Band garners accolades from around the state in UIL marching and concert band contests. Derry and Garriga Elementary Schools provide a variety of activities including academic UIL competition for student participation. Further information about the school district can be found at www.pi-isd.net. If you want to learn more about the events in PIISD follow us on Facebook at Point Isabel ISD Tarpons and on Twitter Point Isabel ISD@ tarponnews

Laguna Madre Christian Academy

The Laguna Madre Christian Academy is a private school located in Laguna Vista. The Academy teaches the A Beka Curriculum with a small class ratio to K-3 through 12th grade. Each and every child is given a Christian based educational curriculum. The program builds self-confidence within students due to the success of our phonetic reading course. Other studies offered include Bible Lessons, Mathematics, Science, Art, Social Studies, Computer Lab, Penmanship, English Language Arts, Music, Physical Education and Field Trips.

Laguna Madre Christian Academy students have consistently scored higher than public school students testing on national standardized achievement tests. The Stanford Achievement Test is annually administered to all students. Laguna Madre Christian Academy exists to help parents equip their children to become Christian men and women of character who excel academically, morally, and spiritually in every area of life and society. For more information contact the academy at 956.943.4446, office@lmcatexas.org or www.lmcatexas.org.

Texas Southmost College

Originally established in 1926, Texas Southmost College (TSC) continues today to offer affordable and accessible quality education to everyone! It’s a great place to get a degree, earn credits and transfer them toward a four-year degree. It’s also a great place to enhance career skills, prepare for a career change and learn something new. TSC, a public community college, offers a wide-range of pathways and programs of study leading to a certificate or associate degree. As a learning-centered institution, TSC is fully committed to student success and innovation. TSC provides a digitally-enhanced teaching and learning environment for students, including e-textbooks, personalized digital learning tools, and on-demand online tutoring services. A comprehensive curriculum consisting of general academic courses transferable to a baccalaureate degree program, career and technical training, and non-credit continuing education provide affordable and high-quality educational opportunities for all—from high school students to adults of all ages. Courses specializing in college preparatory and developmental education are available to assist students in developing necessary skills to ensure their academic success. Workforce training, adult literacy and non-credit continuing education meet individualized needs and support the evolving training needs of industry and economic development initiatives. Visit www.tsc.edu for additional information or call 956.295.3600.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is the first public university in Texas in the 21st century. Its focus is on student success, educational opportunities, medical education, and research on issues affecting the South Texas region.

UTRGV opened Aug. 31, 2015 to a student population of about 29,000. It is a “distributed institution” with two main campuses –Brownsville and Edinburg – and additional sites in McAllen, South Padre Island and Rio Grande City, and offers a broad array of powerful learning opportunities.

With close proximity to the Gulf Coast, students studying the natural and environmental sciences benefit from an expansive living laboratory through the Coastal Studies program. The SpaceX private launch site planned in Brownsville and its partnership with the university will bring opportunities for students to explore the aerospace field up close and personal. Additionally, campus locations along the border with Mexico provide unparalleled venues to study international business and cultural border issues.

The UTRGV School of Medicine opened in July 2016 with 50 students, and offers cutting-edge facilities and resources, including a 15,000-square-foot Smart Hospital and technology complex in Harlingen, a Medical Academic Building in Edinburg, and the South Texas Diabetes and Obesity Institute, which includes two genome sequencing machines, in Brownsville.

Following in the path of its legacy universities, The University of Texas Brownsville and The University of Texas Pan American in Edinburg, UTRGV is pledged to be a “Gateway to the Americas,” a bilingual, bicultural and biliterate institution designed to prepare and empower students in all disciplines to become leaders and create positive change in their communities, the state, the country, the world — even into outer space. For more information, or if you are interested in applying for admission to UTRGV, call 888-882-4026 or visit www.utrgv.edu. `

VISIT HISTORIC FORT BROWN at TEXAS SOUTHMOST COLLEGE

Enjoy learning about life on the post through war and peacetime, military architecture, and important medical discoveries, as you tour the eight historic buildings and original earthen works dating back to 1846.