South Texas ISD Virtual Academy

A stand-alone virtual school established in Fall 2021

Like the six existing STISD schools, South Texas ISD Virtual Academy will serve students from Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties. It will eventually serve students in grades 6-12; however, it will open in the fall with grades 6 through 9 and will phase in additional grades as these cohorts progress through the school years and new ones enroll. This will be the district’s first time serving 6th-graders, as historically, the district has served grades 7-12. 

Because it is a public school district, there is no cost for students to attend, and students are accepted for admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Best of all, STISD schools maintain an open enrollment policy, meaning any student with the desire to learn and work hard can attend so long as he or she resides within the tri-county area served. 

In the initial years, the Virtual Academy will offer students the opportunity to take their core courses and several electives, with the opportunity to participate in Dual Credit courses in the future. Instruction and programs will be designed specifically for a virtual setting, with teachers bringing with them to the school expertise in this area. Teachers will teach from a centralized location, while students will participate in their courses 100 percent virtually from home.

If you thrive in a virtual setting and wish to pursue your education through online courses, STISD has the educators, curriculum and resources needed to successfully prepare you for higher education, careers and life.

Offerings:

  • Flexible scheduling
  • Individualized student support from certified teachers
  • Social and extracurricular activities through STISD
  • Tuition-free public school (Cameron, Hidalgo & Willacy Counties)
  • All resources and equipment provided
  • Advanced coursework in middle school
  • Opportunities for associates degrees and certifications

Meet the Principal, Ms. Maribel Valdez


 

Contact:

Virtual Academy Main Phone: 956.514.4201


 

Issue or Concern Reporting

Student In Frame - STISD's first-ever Coca Cola Scholar: Alfia Bilal

There's often a silent exchange from STISD's first-ever Coca-Cola scholar and soon-to-be grad walking the halls, a student that just keeps going and going and going. Behind that silence, there's a whole lot of sleepless nights, sweat, and tears that others don't see, shaping quite the esteemed and accomplished individual, leading to the beauty behind it all.

Alfia is one of 150 high school seniors from an initial pool of 103,800+ applications from across the country to be named a 2024 Coca-Cola Scholar. That's less than 1/6th of 1% of applicants. 😮 Pretty impressive, don't you think?

Read More about Student In Frame - STISD's first-ever Coca Cola Scholar: Alfia Bilal
South Texas ISD Science Academy engineering teacher receives 'Outstanding Teacher' award from the UTRGV College of Engineering and Computer Science

Late last month, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) honored its inaugural Outstanding Secondary Education Teacher of the Year during its E-Week & Broadening Participation in Engineering Summit. This year’s award recipient is Nelly Houston, engineering teacher and Career and Technical Education (CTE) department team leader at STISD Science Academy in Mercedes.

Read More about South Texas ISD Science Academy engineering teacher receives 'Outstanding Teacher' award from the UTRGV College of Engineering and Computer Science
You're invited: District Title I Family Literacy Meeting on March 21 - Saving for College

STISD is hosting a District Title I Family Literacy Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, at the STISD Central Administration Teaching & Learning Center, located at 7001 E. Expressway 83 in Mercedes. Leticia Romero, President of the Curiman Brokers of the Rio Grande Valley, will present on the topic “Saving for College.”

All STISD parents are invited to attend.

Read More about You're invited: District Title I Family Literacy Meeting on March 21 - Saving for College

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Students seen working in virtual setting