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About HISD » Hidalgo ISD: Quick Facts

Hidalgo ISD: Quick Facts

Hidalgo ISD: A Centennial Story of Growth & Achievement

 

1852–1925: Foundations

  • 1852: Community-built schools begin in Hidalgo, with the first permanent schoolhouse soon following—the oldest educational building still standing in Hidalgo County.

  • Late 1800s: One-room schools sprout in Junco, Capote, and Granjeno under county administration.

  • 1925: Texas Legislature consolidates these schools, forming Hidalgo ISD with a 36-square-mile boundary covering Hidalgo, Granjeno, and parts of McAllen, Pharr, Las Milpas

1925–1976: Slow Growth and Foundations

  • Initial growth fuels a new elementary–high school in the 1890s; later converted to a teacherage and central office. By the 1970s, that structure becomes the district administration’s home.

  • 1950s: High school-aged students attend McAllen ISD due to dwindling numbers.

  • 1976: A new Hidalgo High School opens (grades 7–12), and by 1978, local graduations are reinstated.

1980s–2004: Expansion & Excellence

  • 1980s: District opens Ida Diaz Jr. High and J.C. Kelly Elementary in response to Las Milpas growth.

  • 1990s: Valley View ISD’s high school (early ’90s) slightly slows growth. Two major bond issues in 1991 and 1997 support ~$12 million in improvements—adding classrooms, labs, band halls, gymnasiums, and a new elementary (Dr. Alejo Salinas, Jr., 1999)

  • 2002–2004: Enrollment surpasses 3,000 (2002–03); bond funding in 2003 and 2004 funds major renovations, an alternative high school (Hidalgo Academy), and Hidalgo Park Elementary (opened Aug 2004)

2005–2019: Academic Transformation

  • 2005: Gates Foundation grants $1.2 million to launch Hidalgo Early College High School (HECHS); first class graduates in 2010 accumulating ~3,800 college hours.

  • HECHS earns national acclaim, including US News Gold Medal, College Board Inspiration Award (2009), and multiple Grammy Signature School honors.

  • Extracurricular success includes UIL championships, state titles in powerlifting, robotics, soccer, cheer, and performing arts.

  • All elementary schools earn National Blue Ribbon recognition between 2018–2021; district receives an overall A rating from TEA.

2020–2025: Resilience & Renewal

  • 2020: Hidalgo ISD shifts to 100% virtual instruction during COVID‑19, keeps academic standards high, and distributes over 1 million meals. HECHS again lands in U.S. News’ America’s Best High Schools. Athletic notable: first UIL track state appearance, triple-jump placed fifth hidalgo-isd.org.

  • Nov 2024: TEA Commissioner Mike Morath praises Hidalgo’s exceptional and consistently improving academic results.

  • May 2025: New superintendent Dr. J.A. Gonzalez—2020 Texas Superintendent of the Year and former leader in Harlingen & McAllen ISDs—is named; brings STEAM‑Plus, mental-health initiatives, and career-path programs.

  • April–May 2025: Voters consider a $25 million bond:

    • Proposition A ($22.5 M): Career & Technical building, agriculture barn, elementary upgrades.

    • Proposition B ($2.5 M): Sports center for tennis and softball, locker rooms.

Current Metrics & Achievements

  • Enrollment: ~3,019 students (2023–24).

  • Graduation rate: 96.9% (2023) vs. 90.3% statewide; dropout rate: 0.7%

  • Bilingual/ESL participation: 83.5%; 53.4% of 11–12 graders take AP

  • College-ready: 59.9% in reading; 80.6% in math—surpassing state averages

Looking Ahead

Hidalgo ISD continues its century-long pursuit of excellence, with plans to modernize facilities, expand career and technical pathways, and enhance arts, athletics, and mental health supports under Dr. Gonzalez’s leadership.