IDEA Public Schools Announces New School Sites Opening in 2018

RIO GRANDE VALLEY (August 15, 2017) – IDEA Public Schools, a nationally-ranked charter school network, announced today plans to open four new schools in Elsa and Pharr in August 2018. The two new campuses, IDEA Academy and College Prep Elsa and IDEA Owassa Academy and College Prep, will collectively serve nearly 1,300 students in the Rio Grande Valley in their first year.

IDEA Elsa will be the first campus in the city, and will serve over 650 students in Pre-K through 1st and 6th grade. The campus will add a grade level until it serves Pre-K to 12th grade in 2024.

“IDEA Public Schools is honored to join the community of Elsa,” said Jill Dominguez executive director of schools in the Lower Valley. “We believe in providing high-quality education options for all families and we can’t wait to start making an impact here.”

IDEA Owassa will be the 2nd IDEA campus in Pharr, Texas. The campus will also serve over 650 students in Pre-K through 1st and 6th grade its opening year.

“We are thrilled to continue to serve more students and their families in Pharr in 2018,” said Lisa Garza, executive director of schools in the Upper Valley. “Last year, six IDEA high schools ranked among the top 21 Most Challenging High Schools in America by the Washington Post. We can’t wait to bring these types of educational results to the community ofnorth Pharr.”

Starting September 1, parents can visit www.ideapublicschools.org/apply to submit an application for the 2018-19 school year. Additionally, IDEA will host a student lottery in January to randomly select who will fill spots at IDEA campuses for the 2018-19 school year.  The selection process is done randomly to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to attend an IDEA school.

IDEA is the fastest-growing, highest-achieving charter school network in the country, with 61 schools serving 36,000 students. Since 2001, IDEA has grown to serve over 23,600 students at 18 campuses in the Rio Grande Valley.

For more information on IDEA Public Schools, please contact Kisella Cardenas at kisella.cardenas@ideapublicschools.org or (956) 998-9120, or visit http://www.ideapublicschools.org/.

###