Special to the NEWS
MERCEDES, TX—South Texas Independent School District (STISD), which has a campus in San Benito, opened enrollment for the 2026–2027 school year on Saturday, January 24.
According to a STISD press release, enrollment forms must be completed online at www.stisd.net. STISD is a tuition-free, open-enrollment public school district. Students residing in Cameron, Hidalgo, or Willacy counties are eligible to enroll.
Recognized at both the state and national levels, STISD offers families an innovative educational option through seven magnet schools across the Rio Grande Valley: two middle schools, four high schools, and one virtual campus serving students in both middle and high school.
STISD’s middle school campuses offer accelerated, above-grade-level coursework and opportunities for students to earn high school credit: STISD Preparatory Academy – Edinburg and STISD Rising Scholars Academy – San Benito. At these campuses, students are prepared for advanced academic pathways leading to one of STISD’s magnet high schools.
STISD’s high schools emphasize college, career, and life readiness through rigorous academics, career and technical education (CTE), hands-on learning, and industry-based certifications.
Students may also earn college credit through partnerships with institutions such as The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), South Texas College (STC), and Texas State Technical College (TSTC).
South Texas ISD Health Professions – Mercedes focuses on health-related careers, offering students hands-on clinical experience in hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes, pharmacies, and dental settings, with additional opportunities in veterinary environments.
South Texas ISD Medical Professions – Olmito emphasizes careers in medicine, providing students with hands-on clinical experience in hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes, pharmacies, and dental settings.
South Texas ISD Science Academy – Mercedes specializes in math, science, and engineering pathways.
The campus partners with Project Lead the Way and offers a Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program that allows students to earn college credit and industry credentials aligned with workforce needs.
South Texas ISD World Scholars – Edinburg offers seven CTE programs across four career clusters, including Law and Public Service; Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications; Business, Marketing and Finance; and Information Technology. World Scholars is one of the few International Baccalaureate (IB) campuses in the Rio Grande Valley, offering students opportunities to earn an IB diploma.
Students can also get a head start on college by earning college credit while still in high school through partnerships with institutions of higher education, including STC and UTRGV.
The Virtual Academy offers fully online instruction with certified teachers, small-group learning, and individualized support.
Students complete 100 percent of their coursework online while still having access to extracurricular activities, including athletics. The campus offers CTE courses and an all-virtual associate degree option through STC.
All campuses will begin accepting enrollment forms at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24. While seat reservation requests cannot be submitted before then, families are encouraged to prepare by creating a Family/Student Profile in advance.
Preparatory Academy and Rising Scholars Academy: Students entering grades 6–8 in August 2026. Health Professions, Medical Professions, Science Academy, and World Scholars: Students entering grades 9–11 in August 2026.
As a public school district, STISD charges no tuition and provides free bus transportation.
The district and its campuses consistently rank among the best in Texas and nationally, earning recognition from U.S. News & World Report and Niche. In the 2026 Niche Best K–12 School Rankings, STISD ranked second in Texas and 59th nationally.
For more information, visit www.stisd.net or call (956) 565-2454.
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