A Landmark Year Across IDEA
IDEA Public Schools is excited to welcome scholars and families for the 2026–2027 school year! Across our regions, campuses are celebrating new schools, expanded programs, growing grade levels, and founding senior classes preparing for college.
Keep reading to see how our Team and Family is beginning a year filled with new possibilities.
IDEA Greater Cincinnati
More than 1,200 scholars returned to IDEA Price Hill and IDEA Valley View. At IDEA Valley View, the “We Are Crew” model is helping scholars build meaningful relationships, set academic goals, and strengthen their leadership skills. Scholars will also benefit from expanded athletics, including a new athletic complex at IDEA Price Hill, which welcomed its first 11th-grade class this year.
IDEA El Paso
Nearly 6,000 scholars returned to IDEA El Paso, where IDEA Horizon Vista College Preparatory welcomed its first senior class. The Class of 2027 began its journey as founding sixth graders and has since completed advanced coursework, explored career pathways, and visited more than 15 colleges and universities. The campus celebrated their return with a red-carpet arrival and will honor them throughout the year with senior traditions and College Signing Day.
IDEA Greater Houston
Nearly 4,000 scholars began a historic year at IDEA Greater Houston. IDEA Hardy and IDEA Spears welcomed their first senior classes—89 seniors at Hardy and 88 at Spears. In the spring, the region will host its first College Signing Day, where each graduating senior will announce where they plan to continue their education.
IDEA Tampa Bay
IDEA Tampa Bay welcomed more than 2,000 scholars for its largest school year yet. IDEA Victory expanded to K–11, IDEA Lakeland to K–8, and IDEA Hope is serving scholars in K–8.
IDEA Lakeland also launched a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Polk County to provide free after-school programming for up to 150 scholars. The program includes tutoring, enrichment, fitness, mental health support, and a nutritious dinner—all at no cost to families.
IDEA Jacksonville
More than 3,000 scholars returned across IDEA Jacksonville, including the founding scholars of IDEA Compass Academy and College Preparatory. Jacksonville’s third IDEA campus opened to scholars in kindergarten through sixth grade and will add a grade level each year as it grows to serve K–8. IDEA River Bluff and IDEA Bassett also reached new milestones, with both campuses now serving scholars in K–8.
IDEA Permian Basin
History is being made in IDEA Permian Basin as IDEA Henry Academy and College Preparatory welcomes roughly 1,000 K–12 scholars in Midland. IDEA Henry is the first new campus in IDEA’s history to open already fully scaled.
Its opening also marks the beginning of the Permian Basin’s first graduating class and sets the stage for the region’s first College Signing Day. Across IDEA Henry, IDEA Lopez, and IDEA Yukon, close to 3,000 scholars are beginning a new school year.
IDEA Rio Grande Valley
Nearly 34,000 scholars returned to 51 campuses across the Rio Grande Valley, where IDEA Palmview and IDEA Harlingen welcomed their first senior classes.
At IDEA Palmview College Preparatory, seniors marked their “Last First Day of School” by inviting their parents to walk them to homeroom one final time while carrying kindergarten-style backpacks. The tradition celebrated how far the Class of 2027 has come and the legacy its members are creating. IDEA Harlingen College Preparatory will also honor its inaugural senior class through special traditions and College Signing Day.
IDEA San Antonio
More than 18,000 scholars returned to IDEA San Antonio for a year filled with new opportunities and historic milestones. At IDEA Converse College Preparatory, the campus welcomed its first-ever senior class, giving the Class of 2027 an opportunity to create a lasting legacy for future scholars.
At IDEA South Flores Academy and College Preparatory, 140 scholars will participate in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. IDEA South Flores is the only school in San Antonio to automatically enroll every junior and senior in the rigorous program at no cost. Through college-level coursework, scholars strengthen their writing, presentation, and critical-thinking skills—and may earn college credit through qualifying IB exam scores.
IDEA Dallas–Fort Worth
More than 5,000 scholars returned to IDEA’s schools across Fort Worth and Dallas. At IDEA Edgecliff College Preparatory, the Class of 2027 became the first senior class in campus history. These founding scholars began their journey as sixth graders and have since completed advanced and career-focused coursework and visited more than 15 colleges and universities. The campus will celebrate them throughout the year, culminating with College Signing Day in the spring.
IDEA Greater Austin
Nearly 10,000 scholars returned to IDEA’s 16 schools across Greater Austin. At IDEA Round Rock Tech College Preparatory, the Class of 2027 became the first senior class in campus history. With this milestone, every IDEA Greater Austin campus is now fully scaled to serve scholars in K–12. IDEA Round Rock Tech will honor its founding seniors through special traditions and College Signing Day.
A Year of Possibilities
From first days at brand-new campuses to the last first days of founding seniors, the 2026–2027 school year is already filled with moments worth celebrating. These milestones reflect the dedication of our scholars, families, teachers, staff, and communities—and the promise of what lies ahead.
It is never too late to join our Team and Family. Interested in attending an IDEA campus in your community? Find a school near you and begin your journey to and through college with IDEA Public Schools.
