For 25 years, IDEA Public Schools has been transforming lives through excellence in education. What began as a small school with just 150 students in the Rio Grande Valley has flourished into a national network of 145 schools, serving nearly 87,000 students across four states.

Today, we celebrate not just our growth, but the impact we’ve made—sending scholars to and through college and empowering communities along the way.

Our Legacy of Success 

Since opening our doors in 2000, IDEA Public Schools has remained committed to our mission of ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed in college and beyond.

“For 25 years, IDEA has transformed lives by reaffirming our mission to ensure that every student, regardless of their background, has the tools and support needed to prepare them for success in college and in life,” Dr. Jeffrey Cottrill, CEO and Superintendent of IDEA Public Schools, said. “We are immensely grateful to our teachers, staff, students, families, and community partners who have contributed to our legacy, as we renew our commitment to shaping a brighter future for generations to come.”

While IDEA Public Schools has many reasons to celebrate, here is a list of some of the significant accomplishments over the past 25 years:

College Acceptance: Nearly 100 percent college acceptance among seniors for 17 consecutive years.   

• National Recognition: Enrolling 95 percent of graduates in college, more than twice the national rate for low-income students. 

• Academic Excellence: Recognized among the top high schools in the nation, IDEA continues to set the standard for academic excellence, with 22 of our high schools ranking in the top 8% nationwide in 2024, by the U.S. News & World Report. 

• Student Enrollment: Currently, IDEA serves 87,000 students in 145 schools in Texas, Louisiana, Ohio, and Florida.  

• Health Recognition: In 2024, 133 IDEA campuses were honored on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s list of “America’s Healthiest Schools.” 

• Energy Efficient: In 2024, the White House named IDEA Public Schools as a national leader in Efficient and Healthy Schools Program 

• Broad Prize Winner: IDEA Public Schools was named the 2016 Broad Prize Winner, a prestigious award in public education that recognizes strong student academic achievement to prepare students for college. 
• College Signing Day: In its longstanding tradition, IDEA Public Schools has celebrated thousands of graduating seniors as they reveal the college of their choice to classmates, families, teachers, staff, and community members. Watch the magic here.  
• Top Rankings: IDEA Public Schools has been recognized in national rankings for The Washington Post and the U.S. Department of Education’s list of Blue Ribbon Schools.

Join the Celebration!

As IDEA Public Schools commemorates its 25th anniversary, schools across the network are celebrating in a variety of ways, including spirit days, read-a-thons, or essays and art contests. More importantly, the celebrations will include demonstrations of gratitude to our teachers, staff, students, families, and community partners for being part of the journey.

We encourage our alumni, families, and community members to join us in celebrating this milestone by sharing their IDEA stories on social media, attending campus events, and supporting our mission to expand educational opportunities for all. Share your favorite IDEA memories on social media and tag @ideaschools using #IDEA25 for a chance to be featured on our national channels. 

Together, we’ve built a legacy of excellence—and the best is yet to come. Here’s to the next 25 years of changing lives through education!