HISD History
Hidalgo ISD: A Legacy of Excellence, A Future of Promise
The story of Hidalgo Independent School District begins in 1852, when the earliest school was established by local citizens committed to education in South Texas. Soon after, the community constructed its first permanent schoolhouse—now recognized as the oldest standing educational facility in Hidalgo County. In the years that followed, nearby communities such as Junco, Capote, and Granjeno established their own one-room schoolhouses. These rural schools operated under a common district overseen by the county until 1925, when the Texas Legislature unified them into what is now known as Hidalgo Independent School District.
Spanning 36 square miles, Hidalgo ISD includes the original townsite of Hidalgo, most of Granjeno, parts of McAllen and Pharr, and the Las Milpas area. During the mid-20th century, growth was slow but steady. In the 1950s, due to limited high school enrollment, the district arranged for high school students to attend neighboring McAllen ISD. That changed in 1976, when Hidalgo High School was reestablished, serving grades 7–12. By 1978, the community proudly celebrated its first high school graduation in more than two decades.
The 1980s and 1990s brought important expansion. With the opening of Ida Diaz Junior High and J.C. Kelly Elementary, the district began accommodating increasing student populations in the Las Milpas area. The passing of two major bond issues in 1991 and 1997 led to more than $12 million in facility improvements, including new classrooms, science and computer labs, libraries, a band hall, gymnasiums, and additional instructional wings. A third elementary school, Dr. Alejo Salinas Jr. Elementary, opened in 1999, further alleviating overcrowding and reducing the need for portable buildings.
In the early 2000s, Hidalgo ISD surpassed 3,000 students for the first time. Continued voter support allowed for additional bond funding in 2003 and 2004, which led to renovations across all campuses, construction of Hidalgo Park Elementary, and the opening of Hidalgo Academy, the district’s alternative high school. By 2007, further bonds supported the transformation of the original Hidalgo Elementary into a theatre arts and business complex, along with the addition of a new fieldhouse, expanded athletic facilities, and state-of-the-art libraries and career and technology classrooms.
Perhaps one of the most transformative moments in district history came in 2005, when Hidalgo ISD and the University of Texas System received a $1.2 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to establish Hidalgo Early College High School (HECHS). This innovative partnership allowed students to graduate with both a high school diploma and college credit. In 2010, the first cohort graduated, having earned over 3,800 college hours. The success of the Early College model drew national recognition, with U.S. News & World Report repeatedly ranking HECHS among America’s Best High Schools. The school also earned the College Board Inspiration Award and multiple Grammy Signature School honors for its exceptional fine arts program.
Throughout the 2010s, Hidalgo ISD continued to build on this success. Students consistently earned associate degrees through South Texas College while still in high school, and extracurricular achievements in soccer, powerlifting, robotics, cheerleading, and academic UIL competitions became a source of community pride. All four elementary campuses—Hidalgo Elementary, J.C. Kelly Elementary, Hidalgo Park Elementary, and Dr. Alejo Salinas Jr. Elementary—received National Blue Ribbon recognition and earned “A” ratings from the Texas Education Agency.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic presented a major challenge. Hidalgo ISD quickly transitioned to 100% virtual instruction, prioritizing the health and safety of students and staff while ensuring learning never stopped. During this time, the district served over 1 million meals to the community and maintained its academic performance, with HECHS once again receiving national accolades. Hidalgo Elementary was nominated as a National Blue Ribbon School, and student-athletes continued to make history, including the district’s first-ever state finalist in UIL track and field.
The momentum has only grown stronger in recent years. In 2023, Hidalgo ISD achieved a 96.9% graduation rate, well above the state average, and maintained a dropout rate of just 0.7%. More than half of all juniors and seniors are now enrolled in AP or dual-credit coursework, and students are exceeding state averages in college readiness across reading and math. The district’s reputation for educational excellence, equity, and opportunity continues to attract attention.
In June 2025, Hidalgo ISD welcomed a new superintendent, Dr. J.A. Gonzalez, a visionary leader and former Texas Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Gonzalez brings a bold and student-centered approach, with plans to expand STEAM offerings, mental health supports, and workforce pathways that prepare students for college and career success. His arrival comes at a pivotal moment, as the district has proposed a $25 million bond initiative aimed at constructing a career and technical education facility, upgrading campuses, and improving athletic facilities.
As Hidalgo ISD enters its second century, the district remains deeply rooted in its proud history while embracing a future driven by innovation and community pride. With dedicated educators, supportive families, and students who continue to rise to every challenge, Hidalgo ISD truly lives up to its name as the Treasure on the Border—One Student at a Time.