Board taps Texas Education Agency’s deputy commissioner Dr. Jeff Cottrill to lead network of public charter schools focused on College for All The Board of

IDEA Public Schools is proud to join our nation in honoring Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month (Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month) throughout the

This March, IDEA is proud to celebrate Women’s History Month as we remind ourselves and our students of the accomplishments of women and recognize the

“Real education means to inspire people to live more abundantly, to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better.” ―

At IDEA Public Schools, we remain committed to ensuring student success on the road to and through college. As we kick off a new year,

Attention, IDEA families! We know reliable internet at home is essential to extend the learning day, help students complete their homework and boost the home-to-school connection.  If you are

We look forward to having our students return to IDEA Public Schools for the 2022-2023 school year! To guarantee your student’s spot, you will need to

We hope your child has had an amazing year so far at IDEA Public Schools! With only a few months left in the 2021-22 school year,

The holiday season is here! After another unprecedented year that greatly impacted each of us and changed how we live, work, and learn, we hope

Can you believe it? Our regional lotteries are only a couple months away! If you are interested in becoming a new IDEA Public Schools family,

We are excited to announce that 10 of our Class of 2022 students were selected for full-ride scholarships to top colleges through the highly selective QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship program. This includes two Ivy

For the 15th consecutive year, IDEA is celebrating college matriculation!    This year, 61% of the Class of 2021 were accepted into the country’s best colleges or universities, a 13% increase from

IDEA Public Schools is proud to announce that 43 of our elementary and middle schools are ranked among the best in the nation according to U.S. News &

Twenty-six students from IDEA’s Class of 2022 have been selected as finalists for the QuestBridge National College Match Program. Our students are among 6,312 high school

IDEA is excited to celebrate and recognize National School Lunch Week (NSLW) from October 25-29. During NSLW, IDEA is highlighting the healthy food available daily to students

Held during the third full week of October each year, National School Bus Safety Week serves as an opportunity to highlight and address the importance of

October is Children’s Health Month and the month of Child Health Day! Each year, we’re reminded of the importance of keeping our students healthy and

October is National Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate the connections happening all over the country between children and local food! To celebrate, IDEA

“Acknowledging our history is a celebration of how we’ve persevered, were radical, and demanded our humanity be acknowledged even when it was difficult.” – Aleia McDaniel, National

Did you know that Tuesday, September 28, is National Voter Registration Day? National Voter Registration Day aims to make sure no one who wants to cast a

IDEA Public Schools is proud to announce that 11 IDEA high schools in the Rio Grande Valley were awarded the 2021 College Success Award by GreatSchools.org.  The College

IDEA Public Schools is proud to join our nation in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 – October 15! This annual celebration honors the history, cultures, and contributions of U.S. Hispanic and Latinx communities to American

If your family may prefer virtual learning as an additional health and safety precaution, please access the survey. (*Updated 09/20: This survey is now closed. If

The application window to apply to IDEA Public Schools for the 2022-2023 school year is now open!     IDEA is a family of tuition-free public charter schools

We are so excited to kick off the 2021-22 school year with our new and returning IDEA families! In preparation for our first day of

IDEA Public Schools is proud to celebrate Pride Month throughout the month of June! This annual celebration commemorates Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ)+ contributions

Dear IDEA Families, IDEA Public Schools’ national Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for every IDEA school’s success and for our organization’s accountability — to

For families at IDEA, no event represents every family’s hopes and dreams more than College Signing Day! From tearful thank you speeches to the roar of the crowd

IDEA Public Schools is proud to join our nation in honoring Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month (Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month) throughout the month of May! This community has played a significant

For the 13th consecutive year, IDEA college preparatory schools were ranked among the best performing high schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report! This annual

Congratulations! Fourteen students from IDEA’s Class of 2022 have been selected for the QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program. Our scholars are among 3,908 high school juniors nationwide selected this year from over 15,000 applications! Students were selected

We’re celebrating National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) from March 22 – March 26 with a week of celebratory activities and delicious breakfast options!   This year’s NSBW celebration’s theme

Great news! Thirty-one scholars from IDEA’s 2021 graduating class have been named Dell Scholar finalists. Our scholars are among 500 winners nationwide selected this year to receive the prestigious Dell Scholarship, providing students with financial assistance, networking resources, and college and

March is National Nutrition Month, an annual Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics initiative inviting you to learn more about making informed food choices and developing healthy eating and physical activity habits.  To

Beginning early next week, the IDEA Public Schools Child Nutrition Program (CNP) will be proudly serving FREE meals during Spring Break to any child ages 2 – 18! Each meal bundle

IDEA Public Schools is proud to announce that 100% of the Class of 2021 have been accepted to college!  We take pride in this momentous achievement

On Tuesday, March 2, Texas Governor Greg Abbott released updates to COVID mandates for the state. These changes include rescinding the state-wide mask requirement and

IDEA Public Schools is proud to join our nation in honoring Women’s History Month throughout the month of March! This annual celebration commemorates and encourages

Our student lottery is complete! We are so excited to welcome our new families to IDEA Public Schools, beginning in August 2021! Now that lottery is over,

IDEA’s Student Lottery in Texas (with the exception of IDEA Travis) and Florida is on Saturday, February 27! This important event is held annually in all our regions to ensure equal access for

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela  IDEA Public Schools is proud to join our nation

Great news! IDEA Public Schools is pleased to announce that 21 IDEA schools have been named 2019-2020 Texas Honor Roll Schools—our largest group of schools ever!

We look forward to having our scholars return to IDEA Public Schools for the 2021-2022 school year! To guarantee your scholar’s spot, you will need to

We hope your child has had an amazing year so far at IDEA Public Schools! With only a few months left in the 2020-21 school

A new year brings opportunity to start fresh! What better way to get started than with a focus on healthy meals and habits for the

The holiday season is here! After an unprecedented year that greatly impacted each of us and changed how we live, work, and learn, we hope this season

Beginning late next week, the IDEA Public Schools Child Nutrition Program (CNP) will be proudly serving FREE meals during the winter break to any child ages 18 and under through the Holiday Meal Bundles Initiative! Each meal bundle will

Today, the Houston-based research and advocacy nonprofit Children at Risk (Children@Risk) announced its annual list of San Antonio’s Best Schools. IDEA South Flores College Prep and IDEA Carver College Prep ranked

On Tuesday, the Houston-based research and advocacy nonprofit Children at Risk announced its annual list of the Rio Grande Valley’s Best Schools. Nineteen IDEA Public Schools middle and high schools were ranked among the

Can you believe it? Our regional lotteries are about to begin! If you are interested in becoming a new IDEA Public Schools family, please review

“STEM is all around us. STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators.” – Shaddaiia Wilson, 6th grade Pre-AP Science Teacher and

This month, IDEA Public Schools is proud to celebrate the rich ancestry, culture, traditions, and contributions of American Indian and Indigenous Communities during Native American Heritage Month. This celebration is also an important opportunity to educate our

Early voting for the 2020 primary election has begun in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida! Many counties in Texas have already seen record-breaking numbers with early voting turnout and

As both the holidays and cooler weather approach, we want to make sure our Team & Family are taking every precaution to stay healthy. We’re sharing some guidance for keeping yourself, your family and

Held during the third full week of October each year, National School Bus Safety Week serves as an important opportunity to highlight and address the

IDEA is excited to celebrate and recognize National School Lunch Week (NSLW) from October 12-16. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) serves nearly 30 million

Child Health Day is a federal holiday that was first introduced to Congress in 1928 and celebrated for the first time in May 1929. Occurring

IDEA is excited to announce six new campuses opening for the 2021-2022 school year in six Texas regions, including IDEA Mesquite Hills in El Paso,

The application window to apply to IDEA Public Schools for the 2021-2022 school year is now open!     IDEA is a family of tuition-free public charter

For the 14th consecutive year, IDEA is celebrating college matriculation!    The Class of 2020 saw 48% percent of students accepted to the country’s best colleges, a 1%

Did you know that today is National Voter Registration Day? National Voter Registration Day aims to make sure no one who wants to cast a

“Preservation of one’s own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures.” – Cesar Chavez  This month, IDEA Public Schools is proud to celebrate

As the need for telehealth services continues to grow, school districts are seeking additional resources where they can receive safe and dependable healthcare.   As a

IDEA Public Schools is excited to announce an online after-school Junior Master Gardener program for all grade levels beginning Wednesday, September 16. As an added bonus, students in grades

Rene Molina, an International Baccalaureate (IB) English Language Arts teacher at IDEA College Preparatory McAllen, has been recognized by the Yale University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a recipient of the 2020 Yale

IDEA is excited to announce that 59 schools across five Texas regions are among the 517 schools nationwide to earn a spot on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s (Healthier

School is back in session and we want to share some of the most frequently asked questions about the 2020-21 school year, including our plans for continued rigorous and joyful instruction, whether

Welcome back, Team & Family! We are so excited to kick off a brand–new year of school here in Texas.   This year, IDEA’s Texas region will welcome families at 11 new

IDEA’s first day of school is just around the corner and we have put together a comprehensive uniform guide as families prepare.  IDEA continuously strives

Welcome back, Team & Family! Today, IDEA Southern Louisiana welcomes hundreds of students for their first day of school via virtual learning.   Earlier this week,

IDEA Team & Family- We are counting down the days until we see you again. With many news articles circulating about Back to School plans,

IDEA’s first day of school is just around the corner and we are excited to start the new school year with you! Our campuses have been busy

The Child Nutrition Program (CNP) of IDEA Public Schools announced a change to its policy for serving meals to children served under the National School

As students return for virtual learning in August, IDEA aims to leverage 1 to 1 computer access to help build a competitive edge for students to be successful in college, career, and a

IDEA Team and Family- As we continue to prepare for a safe and strong start to the school year, we are closely monitoring City and

IDEA Public Schools is celebrating National Summer Learning Week from July 6 – July 11! Summer may look different this year, but the learning never

Election season is here! This month, Texans’ ballots will be packed with runoff elections for important leadership positions throughout various levels of government. We want

The 2020-2021 school year is quickly approaching and parents of students who are attending new IDEA campuses are encouraged to complete the free and reduced-price

IDEA Public Schools applauds the Supreme Court’s decision that the ending of the Delayed Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was unlawful. Since 2012, the

An important voter registration deadline in Texas is approaching, and we want to make sure that all IDEA parents, staff members, and students over the

We’re going to miss our in-person graduation ceremonies at IDEA this year, but that won’t stop us from holding virtual campus graduation events—from Austin, to

As we celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend, we want to share a story about a mother and daughter working together at IDEA Public Schools. Pamela

Attention new IDEA families!  Thank you for committing to attend IDEA Public Schools this fall.  We hope your experience so far has been enjoyable and

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week at IDEA, and we salute our teachers for their hard work and dedication as they transform the lives of our students.

All 15 eligible IDEA college preparatory schools were ranked among the top one percent of the most challenging high schools in the nation by the Jay Mathews Challenge Index High School Rankings formerly known as America’s Most Challenging High Schools published

Senior health aide Graciela Garcia knows all too well that her job at IDEA Public Schools entails a little of everything. She’s worked with our

For the 12th consecutive year, IDEA college preparatory schools in the Rio Grande Valley were ranked among the best performing high schools in the nation

Hi IDEA Alumni- I have had a lot of jobs in my 20 years at IDEA Public Schools, starting as Assistant Director and one of

Hi Team & Family. I have had a lot of jobs in my 20 years at IDEA Public Schools, starting as Assistant Director and teacher

Note From Al Lopez, IDEA Board Chair Dear IDEA Team & Family, As chair of IDEA’s Board of Directors, I am writing after our meeting

There is no doubt that IDEA’s AR Zones can be magical places capable of transporting us to faraway lands, a refuge to feed our curiosities

During these unprecedented times IDEA Public Schools remains committed to connecting students and families to resources that can help them overcome various challenges.   Our Team & Family is

Have you heard the great news?  Nine scholars from IDEA’s 2020 graduating class have been named Dell Scholar Finalists.  Our scholars are among 500 winners nationwide selected this year to receive the prestigious Dell Scholarship, providing students

By now you’ve probably received a 2020 U.S. Census letter, asking you to fill out a short questionnaire. We urge you to take the time

Our mission is to prepare students for success in college and citizenship. COVID-19 will not change that, nor deter us from achieving our goal of

As the country and the world respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19), we are all feeling a range of emotions – fear, anxiety, stress, and uncertainty.

As school districts across the nation face unprecedented closures in light of the COVID-19, IDEA Public Schools remains committed to continuing to serve our families

In efforts to help support students during school closures, IDEA Public Schools will be offering free curbside meals to all children under the age of

As public conversations around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increase, children may worry about themselves, their family, and friends getting ill with COVID-19. Parents, family members,

As school districts across the nation face unprecedented closures in light of the COVID-19, IDEA Public Schools remains committed to continuing to serve our families

As our scholars prepare for an extended spring break, it is more important than ever to ensure that your child reads as much as possible.

IDEA Public Schools’ Advocacy Action Team I (AAT) is comprised of parent advocates who use their voices and stories to advocate for high-quality public education for

Spring Break is upon us and our scholars and educators are looking forward to the well-deserved break. With the recent media coverage of the coronavirus, we recognize

More than 2,300 runners registered to participate at the Annual IDEA Public Schools‘ 5K and Healthy Living Expo which this year took place across the

IDEA Edinburg College Prep Principal Ramiro Gomez Jr. was only in 2nd grade when he realized that one day, he would become a school administrator.

Yahanna Gonzalez has not been deterred by life’s challenges. Born blind, Yahanna has instead worked hard at mastering braille. She even sells braille name plaques to

Over the last two decades, student enrollment in public charter schools in the U.S. has grown exponentially. Today, charter schools serve an estimated 3.2 million public school students nationwide. And IDEA Public

IDEA Public Schools is proud to join our nation in honoring Black History Month. The celebratory month also is known as National African American History Month,

IDEA’s Student Lottery is held annually to ensure equal access for all student applicants.  Read below for what you should know about this important event. You can also review

This week, IDEA Public Schools will join thousands of schools, districts, and communities in recognition of National School Choice Week (NSCW). NSCW is an initiative created

Each month, IDEA collects and celebrates student writing as a means of recognizing and rewarding exemplary student and campus writing achievement on district-wide assessments or

We are thrilled to announce eight outstanding individuals who will become principals of IDEA schools during the 2020-21 school year.  These leaders will serve as

Happy Holidays! IDEA Public Schools will be closed for Winter Break from December 23 through January 5. During the break, we encourage you to continue reading and engaging in

As our IDEA Team & Family prepares for a two-week winter break, we are reflecting on another tremendous year. Heading into our 20th year, we

Did you know that according to National Family Partnership, children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to

More than 25 million children ride the yellow bus every school day, and National School Bus Safety Week serves as a reminder for students, parents, teachers,

October 15-18 is National School Lunch Week (NSLW), and IDEA is joining the celebration with a week of celebratory activities and delicious lunches!  This year’s

The IDEA Hotline is now available. The safety and care of our Team & Family is of utmost importance, and the introduction of the IDEA

Looking for the perfect dish to enjoy while spending time with family and friends? Look no further! Here is a delicious and nutritious kid-friendly recipe

Looking for the perfect dish to enjoy while spending time with family and friends? Look no further! Here is a delicious and nutritious kid-friendly recipe

It’s official!     IDEA Public Schools is proud to announce that, in addition to 100 percent of the Class of 2019 gaining admission to college,

IDEA Quest College Preparatory has been designated an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing National Blue Ribbon School for 2019 by U. S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. IDEA Quest

To get a better understanding of how our IDEA families are feeling and experiencing the Beginning of the School Year at IDEA, we ask that they take our annual Beginning of Year Family survey. While there

Julie Sandoval is the proud mom of three IDEA Montopolis Academy scholars: M’kynzie, Kaedin, and Maesyn. Her oldest child, M’kynzie, is excelling in the third grade, but started her experience with

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week to recognize the rich culture and contributions of Americans who

The application window to apply to IDEA Public Schools for the 2020-2021 school year is now open! IDEA is a family of tuition-free public charter schools committed

IDEA Public Schools’ new student applications for the 2020-21 school year will open on September 1, 2019! So that our prospective families know what to expect, we have listed answers to

For the first time ever, IDEA Public Schools celebrated its first day of school in Tarrant County, welcoming nearly 1,000 scholars on two campuses—IDEA Achieve and IDEA Rise. Students

For the first time ever, IDEA Public Schools celebrated its first day of school in Tarrant County, welcoming nearly 1,000 scholars on two campuses—IDEA Achieve and IDEA Rise. Students

Today, the Texas Education Agency released its School and District A-F Accountability Ratings, and IDEA Public Schools earned a B (89). Each year, the Texas

The first week of school is an exciting time for our Team & Family! As we prepare for the best year yet, we wanted to share

August is National Immunization Awareness Month and at IDEA Public Schools, the safety and well-being of every student is our top priority. We are committed to ensuring

The 2019-2020 school year is quickly approaching and parents of students who are attending new IDEA campuses are encouraged to complete the free and reduced priced meals (FARM) application

Great news!    IDEA Public Schools was recently recognized as a Texas Honor Roll school district.  Due to high achievement and student excellence in academics, IDEA

IDEA Public Schools is pleased to announce that 19 of our campuses were ranked and graded an ‘A’ by Children at Risk, a Houston-based nonprofit. Every year,

Great news! IDEA Public Schools was recently recognized as a Texas Honor Roll school district.  Due to high achievement and student excellence in academics, IDEA

As part of IDEA’s commitment to local Texas communities in the Rio Grande Valley, Austin, El Paso, and San Antonio and the Baton Rouge community in Louisiana, the Child Nutrition Program (CNP) will

IDEA college preparatory schools were ranked among the best performing high schools in the nation by the Jay Mathews Challenge Index High School Rankings formerly known as The

As leaders, mentors, and educators, teachers are at the heart of our schools. In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we would like to salute our

For the 11th consecutive year, IDEA college preparatory schools in the Rio Grande Valley were ranked among the best performing high schools in the nation

We are so excited to welcome you to our Team & Family! The first big step in the enrollment process is completing registration. Registration is required to confirm your child’s seat for the

For families at IDEA, no event represents every family’s hopes and dreams more than College Signing Day. From tearful thank you speeches to the roar

As a parent, nothing is more important than a child’s safety. No one wants to think of their child waiting alone to be picked up or getting

IDEA Public Schools is proudly celebrating World Social Work Day on March 19. This special day promotes the importance of human relationships.  It is the key day in the

Today, March 3, marks IDEA Public Schools’ 19th birthday! To help us celebrate in a big way,  check out our birthday Facebook page to donate to our birthday scholarship

If your child was selected to attend IDEA for the 2019-20 school year, congratulations! Welcome to our Team & Family! You’ve made a great decision to

IDEA’s Student Lottery is held annually to ensure equal access for all student applicants.  Read below for eight things you should know about this important

“We like to take time to thank our Team & Family for being the heartbeat of IDEA and the real-life connection between our mission and our students,” says

Our staff members are our most valuable asset in achieving our mission of College for All Children. IDEA Public Schools has more than 5,600 employees

IDEA Public Schools is proud to join our nation in honoring Black History Month. The celebratory month also known as National African American History Month, is

In the fertile borderlands of South Texas, agriculture is booming. The mild climate and bright sunshine offer farmers the chance to grow a wide range of crops

Next month at IDEA, we will hold our annual random lottery to ensure equal access for all student applicants.  Our lottery will be held February

IDEA Team & Family, We hope your child has had an amazing year so far at IDEA Public Schools!  With only a few months left

We look forward to having our scholars return to IDEA Public Schools for the 2019-20 school year! To guarantee your scholar’s spot, you will need

“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and

We had another amazing year at IDEA Public Schools. We are so proud of these accomplishments, and we know none of it would be possible

At IDEA Public Schools, we partner with families to ensure their children get the education they deserve to have a successful future. We recently asked

An open dialogue between families and staff is critical to the success of any school. By incorporating the thoughts, perspectives and opinions of our IDEA families, we can enhance our

On your mark…get set…go! On Saturday, December 1 more than 500 runners participated in IDEA Public Schools‘  annual 5K Run/Walk and Healthy Living Expo in Harlingen, Texas. The competitive event

On November 14, IDEA Public Schools joined Austin community members, and supporters in the groundbreaking of IDEA Health Professions. The campus will serve more than 468 students when

On Thursday, November 15, IDEA Public Schools partnered with Green Mountain Energy Sun Club and Alba Energy to “flip the switch” for a 1,072 solar panel system at the IDEA headquarters in Weslaco,Texas. The ceremony served a

What’s a Thanksgiving meal without plenty of side dishes? Well, IDEA has just the recipes you need to complete your Turkey Day spread. We’re pulling

Thanks, in part, to a $100,000 sustainability grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club®, the IDEA headquarters in Weslaco, TX, is being fitted with 1,072 solar

Every third week in October, school districts throughout the country observe National School Bus Safety Week to raise awareness of the importance of school bus

Did you know that according to National Family Partnership, children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to

This week, IDEA Public Schools celebrated 6 years of educational excellence in Austin and honored the contributions and achievements of  senior leadership, founding students, teachers, and community

October 15-19 is National School Lunch Week (NSLW), and IDEA is celebrating in a big way! This annual celebration raises awareness about the availability of the

It’s National Taco Day!  As a recent National Healthy Schools Award winner, and part of IDEA’s Healthy Kids Here initiative, we have created a nutritious taco recipe from our