PIHS moves up in state rankings, District nets $500,000 grant

By DINA ARÉVALO
Port Isabel-South Padre Press
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com

Port Isabel High School (PIHS) has been named one of the best high schools in the country for the second year in a row by U.S. News and World Report.

Of the 1,915 high schools in the state of Texas, PIHS was ranked 187th. Last year, it was ranked 223rd. Nationally, the school was ranked 2,214th — a jump from last year’s rank of 2,477th. U.S. News and World Report ranks schools based on college readiness indicators.

“We’re very proud of the district for staying on the list and actually improving and jumping some spots,” Dr. Lisa Garcia, superintendent of schools, said after Tuesday’s school board meeting.

Though the high school was the only school within the district to be ranked, Garcia called the award a ‘district award,’ saying that the success of the district’s high school students depends on their success in earlier grades, as well.

The District was also pleased to announce that it had been named the recipient of a $500,000 grant via Raise Your Hand Texas to incorporate blended learning in its classrooms.

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