Raising the Bar: Legal Studies at IDEA Public Schools
Career and Technical Education students at IDEA Public Schools gain hands-on experience that prepares them for their college majors and careers. This summer, students in the Legal Studies pathway at IDEA Elsa College Prep participated in “Raise the Bar,” a new legal internship program that gives students with career interests in law and public service opportunities to gain experience through partnerships with local law firms and judges. Through immersive summer observerships, students apply their academic knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and build professional networks.
Application Process
Four incoming juniors and seniors and one recent IDEA Elsa College Prep graduate were selected to participate in the Raise the Bar internship program after meeting eligibility criteria and participating in a rigorous application process. Applicants participated in a half-hour interview panel with their Legal Studies teacher and Raise the Bar Site Coordinator, Priscilla Frias, campus leadership, and one legal partner.
Interviews included a range of questions assessing communication skills, understanding of legal concepts covered in class, and critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The 2025 cohort of Raise the Bar scholars completed three Career and Technical Education courses in the Legal Studies pathway, maintained a minimum of 3.0 grade average in legal studies courses, and are active participants in a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) such as Mock Trial or SkillsUSA.
Program Outline
Raise the Bar Program interns spend four weeks during the summer immersed in an introduction to legal work. Firms can track the tasks students observe and complete, ensuring consistency in their learning experiences, which include a range of participating in client intake meetings, drafting demand letters, shadowing paralegals, and conducting courthouse filings.
Internship Highlights
Caleb Mata, recent IDEA Elsa College Prep graduate credits Career and Technical Education’s Raise the Bar program for affirming his commitment to pursue law school.
“Raise the Bar gave me a firsthand look into the legal world, allowing me to build connections and understand what being an attorney involves,” Caleb explained.
With plans to major in Government at the University of Texas at Austin this fall, he is walking into class with the future of others in mind.
“My goal is to use my education to stand up for others and to be a strong, positive voice in my community,” Caleb said.
Raise the Bar scholars had opportunities to work in office settings at law firms and in the courtroom alongside judges.
Incoming senior, Nataly Diaz, attests to the impact the experience and mentorship have had in her decision to continue with legal studies.
“The opportunity to engage in legal research, attend hearings, and observe legal strategies firsthand was both challenging and rewarding,” Nataly shared. “I will carry the lessons I learned throughout my journey.”
Local Partners in the RGV
In the program’s first year, Raise the Bar partnered with four local leaders in law to ensure students received a well-rounded experience of the legal field. We are grateful to Judge Armando Marroquin and the Hidalgo County Courthouse, Vanessa Flores, Esq. of The Law Office of Flores and Dietz, Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace Andre Maldonado, Cynthia Contreras, Esq. , Hidalgo County District Judge Keno Vasquez, State Representative Oscar Longoria, and State Representative Sergio Munoz Jr. for their generosity and support in showing IDEA students what practice looks like in action.
Beyond opening their courtrooms and offices, these leaders — along with many others — provided invaluable mentorship, shared words of wisdom, and offered students opportunities to build professional networks that will last well beyond the internship.
Throughout the duration of Raise the Bar, students are committed to a full week of activities including Lunch and Learn sessions, reviewing case materials, and shadowing different roles in law. Students developed public speaking skills and writing skills through debate activities like building their case proving why Twilight heartthrob Edward Cullen is superior to Jacob Black.
The Future of Raise the Bar
With the success of Raise the Bar’s first cohort, the internship program plans to expand to all IDEA College Preparatory campuses that offer the Legal Studies Pathway in Career and Technical Education. Schools with eligible students are currently located in the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Austin regions.
Legal Studies Curriculum Manager, Norlande Menner, emphasizes that programs like IDEA’s Legal Studies Pathway is where justice begins.
“Expanding the Raise the Bar internship program means equipping scholars across Texas with the multidimensional skills, confidence, and experiences to pursue careers in law and justice while serving as advocates and leaders in their communities today,” Norlande said. “I look forward to seeing campuses offer this transformative experience that develops true changemakers and centers the learner experience.”
For more information about legal studies or to inquire about being a Raise the Bar legal partner, contact Norlande Dathis Menner at norlande.dathis@ideapublicschools.org.
