Refugio High School Competitors

Committed to developing hearts and minds, Corpus Christi Independent School District serves nearly 33,000 students at 53 campuses within 68 square miles. The district’s mission is to graduate lifelong learners who are prepared to continue their education, enter the world of work, and be productive citizens. Since 1909, when the district was created, CCISD has enjoyed an outstanding reputation as a strong district, focused on excellence in education. In 2023, CCISD was H-E-B’s Excellence in Education Large District Winner.

South Texas Independent School District (STISD) serves middle school and high school students who live along the southernmost tip of Texas, the region known as the Rio Grande Valley. The district stretches over three counties, Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy, and overlaps 28 other school districts, an area of 3,643 miles. STISD is comprised of seven magnet schools throughout the Rio Grande Valley: Middle Schools (grades 6-8): - South Texas ISD Preparatory Academy (Preparatory Academy) in Edinburg - South Texas ISD Rising Scholars Academy (Rising Scholars Academy) in San Benito High Schools (Grades 9-12): - South Texas ISD Health Professions (Health Professions) in Mercedes - South Texas ISD Medical Professions (Medical Professions) in Olmito - South Texas ISD Science Academy (Science Academy) in Mercedes - South Texas ISD World Scholars (World Scholars) in Edinburg Middle & High School (Grades 6-12 beginning with the 2024-2025 school year): South Texas ISD Virtual Academy (opened in fall 2021) - STISD's newest school, through which students within the tri-county area served by the district can participate in courses 100 percent virtually from home. STISD and its campuses are consistently ranked among the best in the state and nation in various polls. In the Niche 2024 rankings, STISD is ranked 2nd in the state and 7th in the nation. The district also earned the top spot in the state in the Districts with the Best Teachers in Texas and the second spot in the Best Places to Teach in Texas. STISD’s two middle schools and all four high schools also ranked again within the top in the state and nation. STISD is a public school district, so there is no cost for students to attend.