La Joya Independent School District

La Joya Independent School District is a school district headquartered in La Joya, Texas, United States.

The La Joya Independent School District, located in the western portion of Hidalgo County, Texas consist of more than 226 square miles (590 km²) stretching west of Mission (small portions of Mission are in LJISD) to Sullivan City, including the smaller communities of La Joya, Palmview, and Penitas. Boundaries extend from the United States border formed by the Rio Grande River to the 13-mile (21 km) line near McCook.

La Joya ISD also serves other unincorporated communities include Abram-Perezville, Citrus City, Cuevitas, Doffing, Havana, La Homa, Los Ebanos, and Palmview South.

In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency.

The Texas Education Agency's college readiness performance data shows that only 2.4% (31 out of 1288 students) of the graduates of the class of 2010 of the La Joya school district met TEA's average performance criterion on SAT or ACT college admission tests.

District growth

Picture taken from one of La Joya's lakes, with the red, grey, and black Performing Arts Center in the background, along with the white steeple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

With a peak enrollment of 23,444 students for the 2004-2005 academic school year, of which Hispanic students account for over 99 percent of enrollment, La Joya ISD is one of the fastest growing school districts in Texas with an estimated increase of 1,400 students per year. Overall, La Joya ISD boasts over 30 campuses; twenty-two elementary schools, seven middle schools, three Alternative Education Centers (one per high school), and three high schools. La Joya ISD employs over 4,260 individuals from all across the Rio Grande Valley and some from overseas.

History

Nellie Schunior Memorial High School Being Built, torn photo. Half Missing

The first schools were established during the 19th century to provide educational opportunities for the people living in western Hidalgo County who did not have access to existing educational institutions. One of the first of these schoolhouses was built in Havana in 1849 when citizens from the towns and villages of Abram-Perezville (Ojo de Agua), Penitas, Tabasco (now La Joya), Havana, Los Ebanos and Cuevitas established a place of learning. Although far from the little red schoolhouse one might envision, the structure of rock and adobe sheltered the students of this area and gave them a solid education. This building would later become known as the La Joya Independent School District

Schools

High Schools (Grades 9-12)

School	Address	Phone	Principal
La Joya High School	604 N. Coyote Blvd., La Joya, TX 78560	956) 580-5100	Melinda Flores
Palmview High School	3901 N. La Homa Rd , Mission, TX 78572	(956) 519-5779	Mary Ann Contreras
Juarez-Lincoln High School	801 N. Coyote Dr., La Joya, TX 78560 - Temporary Location	(956) 580-5900	Leticia Martinez
College & Career Center	200 W. Expressway 83, La Joya, TX 78560	(956) 519-4031	Ronny Cabrera
HOPE Academy	221-A N. Stadium Dr., La Joya, TX 78560	(956) 580-5962

Middle Schools (Grades 6-8)

School	Address	Phone	Principal
César E. Chávez Middle School	Showers Rd., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 580-6182	Daniel Villarreal
Lorenzo De Zavala Middle School	603 N. Tabasco St., La Joya, TX 78560	(956) 580-5472	Le-Ann Alaniz
Irene M. García Middle School	933 Paula Dr., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 584-0800	Paz Elizondo
Memorial Middle School	2610 N. Moorefield Rd., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 580-6087	Rolando Rios
Ann Richards Middle School	7005 Ann Richards Rd., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 519-5710	Leticia Martinez
Dr. Javier Saenz Middle School	39200 Mile 7 Road, Peñitas, TX 78576	(956) 519-4007	Lionel Perez
Juan De Dios Salinas Middle SchoolJ.D Salinas	603 North Coyote Ave., La Joya, TX 78560 (Temporary)	(956) 584-4832	Clem Garza
Domingo Trevino Middle School	Mile 5 and Inspiration, Alton, TX 78574	Pending	DaLee Garcia

Elementary Schools (Grades PK-5)

School	Address	Phone	Principal
Rosendo Benavides Elementary School	1882 El Pinto Rd., Sullivan City, TX 78595	(956) 580-6175	Mary Lily Garza-Ibarra
Lloyd M. Bentsen Elementary School	2916 Mile 3, Mission, TX 78574	(956) 519-5746	Silvia Palacios
Enrique "Kiki" Camarena Elementary School	2612 N. Moorefield Rd., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 584-0827	Lupita smith
Narciso G. Cavázos Elementary School	4563 Minnesota Rd., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 580-8850	Marisa Garza
Elodia R. Chapa Elementary School	5670 Daffing Rd., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 580-6150	Raul Valdez
William J. Clinton Elementary School	39202 Mile 7 Road, Peñitas, TX 78576	(956) 580-8500	Adriana Villarreal
Kika De la Garza Elementary School	5441 La Homa Rd., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 580-6000	Irene Fernandez
Díaz-Villareal Elementary School	5543 La Homa Rd., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 580-6170	Magda Villarreal
José De Escandón Elementary School 2000-01 National Blue Ribbon School	700 N. Shuerbach Rd., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 580-6132	Dianabel Villarreal
Guillermo Flores Elementary School	1913 Roque Salinas, Mission, TX 78572	(956) 580-6100	Maria Rosanelia Flores
Sam Fordyce Elementary School	801 FM 886, Sullivan City, TX 78595	(956) 580-8894	Myra Trigo Ramos
Evangelina Garza Elementary School	Pending	Pending	Pending
Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School	3912 N. Goodwin Rd., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 580-8870	Yolanda Salazar-Meave
John F. Kennedy "JFK" Elementary School	1801 Diamond Ave., Peñitas, TX 78576	(956) 584-4800	Diane Hinojosa
Leo J. Leo Elementary School	1625 Roque Salinas, Mission, TX 78572	(956) 580-6030	Maria Flores-Guerra
Dr. Americo Paredes Elementary School	5301 N. Bentsen Palm Dr., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 584-0871	Irma F. Vela
Corina Peña Elementary School	4800 Liberty Blvd, Peñitas, TX 78576	(956) 519-5770	Sofia Villarreal
Patricio Pérez Elementary School	4431 Minnosota Rd., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 580-8830	Belinda De la Rosa
E.B. Reyna Elementary School 1993-94 National Blue Ribbon School	900 E. Veterans Blvd., Mission, TX 78572	(956) 580-5975	Sara Alvarado
Juan N. Seguin Elementary School	8500 N. Western Rd., Mission, TX 78574	(956) 580-8511	Marta Castillo
Tabasco Elementary School	223 S. Leo Ave., La Joya, TX 78560	(956) 580-8810	Velma Ochoa
Emiliano Zapata Elementary School	9100 N. La Homa, Mission, TX 78574	(956) 519-5760	Bertha Perez
Elementary School No. 25	Under Construction	Pending	Pending

UIL District Alignment

2008-2010 District 30-5A

• Donna ISD
  • Donna High School Redskins
• La Joya ISD
  • La Joya High School Coyotes
  • Palmview High School Lobos
• McAllen ISD
  • McAllen High School Bulldogs
  • McAllen Memorial High School Mustangs
  • James "Nikki" Rowe High School Warriors
• Rio Grande City CISD
  • Rio Grande City High School Rattlers
• Sharyland ISD
  • Sharyland High School Rattlers

2008-2010 District 32-4A

• Edcouch-Elsa ISD
  • Edcouch-Elsa High School Yellowjackets
• La Joya ISD
  • Juarez-Lincoln High School Huskies
• Mercedes ISD
  • Mercedes High School Tigers
• Mission CISD
  • Mission High School Eagles
  • Mission Veterans Memorial High School Patriots
• Roma ISD
  • Roma High School Gladiators
• Valley View ISD
  • Valley View High School Tigers
• Weslaco ISD
  • Weslaco East High School Wildcats

Athletics

La Joya ISD has a built a tradition of excellence in its athletic teams throughout the district's many schools. The following sports are offered at these institutions.

Football

5A La Joya Coyotes

5A Palmview Lobos

4A Juarez-Lincoln Huskies

La Joya really had not been a sports icon in the valley for long. Not until the late 1990s was it that the team started making some noise. Simply known as "Los Coyotes", the Coyotes remained favorites in the Rio Grande Valley's 5A school from 2001-2005. Accumulating four district titles in that span, they were involved in the biggest game in 2004 between La Joya and Converse Judson despite losing in a lopsided affair. No team in the valley had made it past the third round of the playoffs in the 5A level. The reputation La Joya has in South Texas was created by its unwavering fan support. Thousands of residents attended Friday Night Football at La Joya ISD Stadium (often regarded the best football stadium south of San Antonio). Attendance to games easily surpassed the 12,500 capacity of the stadium. More times than not, fans of the La Joya Coyotes would have to be seated on the visitors side if there was space available.

The 2008-2009 school year split La Joya into three high schools; evidently, the Coyotes took damage in athletics with none of the three schools making it to the postseason in the 2008 campaign. The two new teams, the Juarez-Lincoln Huskies and the Palmview Lobos had developing seasons.

Baseball

The baseball team for the Coyotes have been very successful lately, winning district titles the past two years. They were being considered as a possible State run in 2008 with an outstanding left-handed pitcher and a solid team but fell short in a surprising victory for their in-district rivals Mcallen.

Men and Women's Wrestling

The wrestling team has also been very successful, winning back to back titles in 2008 & 2009, they are currently sending three student to the State competition in Austin.

Men and Women's Soccer

With 99 percent of the population of the school being Hispanic, that provides a variety of love for the sport. They have a solid soccer team and are very dangerous when district comes around. They were also considered a possible State team but fell short on a questionable call in San Antonio. The girls have not been as successful as the boys in soccer but they also share that passion for playing the sport

Fine arts

La Joya ISD has a very rich and proud tradition of excellence in its Fine Arts departments over the years. Tradition runs deep in these programs, with annual galas and extravaganzas that showcase the finest La Joya ISD has to offer.

Classical Guitar

Classical Guitar is new to LJHS it has been around for about 5 or 6 years, the guitar instructer Mr.Eagle is a respected teacher, he has gone to many competitions and has been very successful.

Concert Band & Marching Band

The 2008-2009 school year divided LJISD into three high schools.

• La Joya High School Coyote Band

La Joya High School has earned an outstanding number of accolades in the past decade. Concert Bands have consistently received UIL Sweepstakes Awards (given to bands that perform a "Superior" rating on their concert portion of the contest, where they perform three prepared contrasting pieces of music for three judges, and a "Superior" rating on their sight-reading portion of the contest, where they learn a brand new piece of music never-before seen or played by anyone in just seven minutes, then perform it for three additional judges).

LJHS has also had great success on the marching field. In 1998, La Joya High School Marching Band and their show "Firebird Suite" made history by marking its first appearance at the coveted UIL 5A State Marching Band Contest at Baylor University, akin to the State Championships of Football. Roughly 25-35 of the best bands in the entire State of Texas compete to see who is crowned the best band in the state. Because there are many different classifications in UIL, 5A and 3A bands compete only on EVEN years, and 4A, 2A and 1A schools compete on ODD years. Two years later, La Joya HS made history again in 2000 with their show "By Air, By Sea, and By Land", earning a second consecutive appearance at the UIL 5A State Marching Band Contest at Baylor University. In 2002, La Joya HS advanced to the UIL 5A State Marching Band Contest at Baylor University yet again with their show "Stravinky's Uproar". Harlingen High School also advanced to State for its second consecutive time, sparking an unofficial rivalry between the two schools. This would also mark the last time Baylor University would host the UIL contest due to the unnaturally cold weather that year. Bands were not able to compete to their fullest due to the rain and sleet that created BU's football field into a muddy mess. The "Finals" portion of the contest was cancelled due to the many injuries on the field and the unsafe conditions for marching. A consensus was made by UIL officials to leave the Preliminary rankings as the official Finals ranking.

In 2004, UIL decided to move the enormous contest indoors, and since then, UIL 5A State Marching Contest is held at San Antonio's Alamodome. La Joya High School once again made history by marking its fourth consecutive appearance at the contest. The only other 5A school in the Rio Grande Valley to have the same amount of consecutive appearances was Harlingen High School, which also advanced to the State contests in 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004. La Joya High School performed what many call today their "best performance ever" with their show "Midnight at the Louvre". It was a spectacle like no other, and this marked La Joya High School's last appearance. In 2006, La Joya HS failed to advance to the State Marching Contest, after failing to advance to Finals at Area G Contest. This was a very hard moment in the history of the program, and Harlingen High School was able to finally best La Joya by advancing to State yet again. In 2008, the split hurt the program, and it is now working to return to the spotlight where it belongs. Despite this, the marching band has yet to get anything less than a Division I "Superior" rating at the annual UIL "Pigskin Jubilee" since 1997.

• Palmview High School Lobo Band

Palmview High School is a young school, and their band program began with success. The Concert Bands have done well, and the Wind Ensemble received a UIL Sweepstakes Award (see La Joya High School's band section for more on this award) during its inaugural year.

For the Palmview High School Lobo Marching Band, the 2008 year marked its inaugural season, and despite receiving a Division II "Excellent" rating at the annual UIL Pigskin Jubilee with their show "Transfigurations", they went on to win the "2008 USSBA Group IV A Texas State Championship" at Schertz, Texas. In 2009, they received a Division II "Excellent" rating yet again at the UIL Pigskin Jubilee with their show "Nightscapes".

• Juarez-Lincoln High School Husky Band

Juarez-Lincoln High School had the most challenges ahead of them, more than any of the other two schools. The JLHS Band was a very small band, with a student count of about 30. Despite the hardships, they started off history with their first marching show, "Carmen". The band was unable to attend UIL Pigskin Jubilee during its inaugural year because of lack students able to participate. This did not deter the band program. Now in its second year, the marching band has grown to an impressive number of about 60 students, and has recently marked its first official showcase in contest at UIL Pigskin Jubilee, where they received a Division II "Excellent" rating with their show "The 47 Ronin". What started off as a humble program with humble beginnings, the Juarez-Lincoln Husky Band is now marching to a different beat.

External links

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• La Joya ISD
• Google Maps - Satellite view of La Joya's High Schools, Football Stadium, Transportation Dept. and Central Office.