College for All Department - Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (2024)

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) has emerged as a leading force in providing diverse academic opportunities for students, earning recognition at both state and national levels. Serving a student population of over 30,000 across three cities and spanning from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, PSJA ISD is committed to graduating students who are ready to succeed in today's global landscape.

Renowned for its effective dropout prevention strategies and commitment to college readiness, PSJA ISD boasts an impressive high school completion rate exceeding 97 percent. With all high schools designated as Early College, PSJA ISD has the only wall-to-wall Early College Program in the state and nation.

With an equity-focused approach, the Early College Program’s success is rooted in a holistic approach, offering rigorous academics alongside unwavering support from dedicated teachers, counselors, and mentors. Each semester, over 3,000 high school students are enrolled in college-level courses through dual and concurrent enrollment initiatives through partnerships with South Texas College and other higher education institutions.

PSJA ISD's success stories include innovative programs like the Dual Language Enrichment Program, Early College, and Dropout Recovery Program, all of which have significantly narrowed the pathway to post-secondary education for students. At PSJA ISD, students can earn college credits, become bilingual and biliterate graduates, participate in top-notch athletic programs, and engage in renowned fine arts programs, ensuring a well-rounded and enriched educational experience.

Our commitment to empowering students remains unwavering. As we prepare to host the 2024 PSJA College for All Conference on October 22-24, 2024 in Mission, Texas, educators, district leaders, and higher education institutions from across the state and nation are invited to witness firsthand the impactful initiatives that are shaping futures and transforming our communities.

It is PSJA’s mission to provide comprehensive, quality instructional programs that help connect every student to college and/or the career of their choice.

During our Learning Tours, we share how PSJA is implementing the best instructional practices into the curriculum to better prepare our students for post-secondary education through our ECHS, Dual Language, Back on Track, and 18-26 year special needs programs.

Learning Tours are open to educators and leaders from across the region, state, and nation!

PSJA ISD is fully dedicated to significantly boosting college completion rates within our community. As one of South Texas's largest school districts, we consider it our responsibility to equip our students for post-secondary success and facilitate meaningful connections beyond the classroom. Among our most renowned success stories include innovative programs like the Dual Language Enrichment Program, Early College, and Dropout Recovery Program, all of which have significantly narrowed the pathway to post-secondary education for students.

During the PSJA College for All Conference happening October 22-24, 2024, in Mission, Texas, educators, district leaders, and higher education institutions from across the state and nation are invited to witness firsthand the impactful initiatives that are transforming our communities and learn best practices and insights to implement these programs.

Conference Tracks

Equity in Education: Establishing and Scaling Inclusive Early College High Schools

Learn the essential strategies for achieving college success for all students through Early College High Schools (ECHS). Dive into sessions covering the fundamental implementation of ECHS in Texas, along with insights gained from scaling the early college model and systematically working towards ensuring that all students are college-ready, connected, and complete (All Students: College Ready.Connected.Complete. ™). Gain valuable knowledge about best practices and innovative designs aimed at offering every student the chance to earn a minimum of 12 college hours by high school graduation, with a focus on attaining an Associate Degree or two years of college alongside core coursework completion.

Empowering Equity: Gaining a Competitive Edge in the Workforce

Unlock the pathway to success as we unveil the power of the PSJA Career & Technical Education Program to help students gain a competitive edge in the workforce. In collaboration with our post-secondary partners, we provide students with certifications in more than 12 areas of study, which serves as a great foundation for them to acquire knowledge and skills in their chosen field. Discover the groundbreaking PSJA Academies, where we elevate career preparation to new heights. We take it a step further by providing a cohort-level approach to complete industry-level certificates parallel to college certificates, or up to an Associate Degree prior to high school graduation. Learn about the systems PSJA ISD has in place to ensure that students interested in high-demand, high-wage jobs walk away with the necessary skills.

From Cradle to College: An Equitable Journey

PSJA ISD is committed to nurturing young minds and building a solid foundation for lifelong success. Prepare to be amazed by our exceptional Early Childhood Education Program, where we guide Pre-K 3 to kindergarten students on a transformative journey, setting them up for a path to college and beyond. You’ll uncover practical strategies and innovative approaches that create nurturing environments, focusing on curriculum design, play-based learning, and socio-emotional development. Gain insights into our dedicated efforts to ignite young minds and unlock their full potential. Discover the boundless educational opportunities available at PSJA ISD as we pave the way for a future brimming with endless possibilities by educating students from cradle to college.

Equity & Inclusion: Empowering Resilient Students on the Path to College

The PSJA Pathways Toward Independence (PTI)/LIFE House Program promotes the continued development of vocational training skills and/or functional independent living skills to assist special needs students in becoming emergent adults in the community. Students develop employability skills and access post-secondary education while receiving continuing education certificates through South Texas College. Additionally, the Buell DAEP Program focuses on redirecting and providing students with opportunities to gain invaluable skills through project-based learning projects focused on sustainability and conservation efforts. Come and learn how these programs are motivating students to practice higher-level critical thinking skills through meaningful learning experiences.

Equity in Access: Back-on-Track to College

PSJA ISD has taken a specific approach to ensure that our young people who have fallen off-track not only reengage for high school graduation, but that they prepare for and transition to a post-secondary education. Come learn about the structures and strategies that have made PSJA ISD a top performer in high school completion rates and show promise for impacting college completion for high school dropout and at-risk students. Uncover the successful methods that can transform the trajectory of these students and set them on the path to college success.

Bilingual Brilliance: Unlocking Potential Through Dual Language Programs

It is PSJA’s mission to provide comprehensive, quality instructional programs that help connect every student to college and/or the career of their choice. PSJA’s Dual Language Enrichment Program is one of the rigorous initiatives designed to develop stronger cognitive and academic skills through the development of bilingualism and biliteracy. Learn how PSJA is seamlessly integrating and implementing the best instructional practices into the curriculum to better prepare our students for post-secondary education.

Sustainability by Design: Shaping Tomorrow's Equitable World

Join us to learn how we’ve embedded the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into our curriculum to equip students with real-world knowledge and experiences, preparing them to compete in today’s global society. Explore sessions on curriculum integration, sustainable operations, health and well-being, community engagement, progress measurement, and celebrating success. Gain insights from district leaders, educators, and sustainability experts on how you can leverage the SDGs to provide your students with meaningful connections and real-world experiences through project-based learning.

Why Sponsor?In light of our commitment to fostering excellence in education and creating lasting impacts in our communities, we invite businesses and organizations to consider sponsoring the 2024 PSJA College for All Conference. This conference presents a unique opportunity for sponsors to engage with hundreds of educators and leaders from across the state and nation, showcasing their support for innovative educational initiatives and their dedication to empowering students.

We look forward to partnering with you in shaping a brighter future for our students and communities.

• Sponsorship Opportunities

Register here!