The Brownsville Independent School District (BISD), encompassing 95 square miles, is the largest employer in the Rio Grande Valley. Approximately 7,400 employees have accepted the challenge of serving a population of almost 50,000 students. BISD recognizes and addresses the unique cultural lifestyle of South Texas with a broad selection of activities and programs for all students. These programs range from the GALAXY program for gifted and talented students to support programs for students with special needs. Special Services offers a multitude of educational programs to ensure that all students have an opportunity to succeed. Limited English speaking students are served through the Bilingual or English as a Second Language program.

Brownsville ISD has targeted eight vital areas of interest to match the needs of the 21st Century. The district is proud to have developed a magnet program for each discipline from within the district’s six high school campuses. The magnet programs all feature a “school within a school concept.” This allows for specialization, as well as, a fully rounded high school experience. Porter High School is home to the High School for Engineering Professions. The school for Medical and Health Professions is located at Hanna High School. Lopez High School houses the district’s Fine Arts and Teaching Academies and Pace High School has a Criminal Justice Magnet. The International Business Program is located at Rivera High School. The New Veterans Memorial High School, opening in August 2010, will house magnet programs in Architecture & Construction Technology and Government & Public Administration.

There is pride in the progress BISD has made in recent years with regard to state-mandated testing. The district has shown a steady rate of improvement in the mastery percentage of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). Better scores have translated into more seniors fulfilling degree requirements and completing their basic education with a high school diploma. The efforts of our fine teachers and campus personnel have resulted in the Texas Education Agency awarding Exemplary and Recognized honors to 41 schools in 2009. In fact, 84% of all BISD schools are now rated either Exemplary or Recognized.

Academically, both the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Texas Education Agency have accredited Brownsville public schools.

Brownsville ISD is committed not only to working with students, but also with the community as well. The district supports Campus Care Centers to serve the unmet needs of school age children and adolescents. Because no student deserves to go through the school day hungry, BISD features Universal Feeding, Provision Two. This plan provides breakfast and lunch, free of charge, to all students, regardless of income or ability to pay.

The Brownsville Independent School District uses these elements, and many more, to achieve its mission. Quality education can’t be a vague statement. It must be the challenge that encourages students and educators to be the best that they can be.

•Brownsville ISD is the winner of the 2008 Broad Prize for Urban Education, an annual $1 million award that honors school districts across the U.S. making the greatest progress in raising student achievement.

•The district offers eight high school magnet programs in architecture, criminal justice, education, engineering, government, health, international business, and fine arts.

•All secondary schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

•District K-12 chess teams have won numerous state, national, and international titles.

•BISD’s secondary fine arts programs consistently dominate state competition.

•The entire community utilizes the district’s state-of-the art aquatic center.

•The USDA Provision 2 Program allows all students to enjoy a healthy breakfast and lunch daily.

•Over 150 Brownsville area businesses and organizations participate in the district’s adopt-a-school program.

•BISD boasts a recognized elementary transitional program, only one of three in Texas.

•The Brownsville Early College High School is in its third year of operation.

•In 2009, Southmost Elementary was named a U.S. Blue Ribbon School.

•A total of $235 million in school construction bonds has been approved by local voters since 1997