It’s the start of a new era. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and McAllen Independent School District celebrated the new UTRGV McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 29, 2024.
This new venture between McAllen ISD and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will benefit high school students for many years to come. This facility enables students to participate in a dual enrollment program with both entities and acquire college credits prior to high school graduation.
"It's a momentous occasion," McAllen ISD School Board President Sofia Pena said. "This building has been a few years coming and a lot of work has gone into this. So, today, we get to celebrate the fact that our students in our community at McAllen ISD have this beautiful building ... where our kids will learn. They will do high school and college at the same time."
“This historic new program is creating pathways for our students to go into high-demand fields,” McAllen ISD Superintendent Dr. René Gutiérrez said. “Together, with our partners, UTRGV and the City of McAllen, we have turned a dream into a reality.”
The initial class of 265 students entered the doors in August, just one month after construction was finished. The student body is made up of high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors. A senior class will be added next year.
“Educational opportunities like the UTRGV McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy are truly transformative,” UTRGV President Dr. Guy Bailey said. “UTRGV proudly partners with McAllen ISD to inspire students to their greatest potential without any financial burden on their families. This brand new, state-of-the-art institution will lay the foundation for a seamless transition from high school to higher education, influencing the future of the Rio Grande Valley and Texas for generations to come.”
The academy will provide students with a huge head start on a bachelor’s degree at no cost to their families. Based on UTRGV’s tuition costs, students will save approximately $4,993 per semester (based on 12-13 credit hours). This translates to $19,972 over two years (four semesters).
Students may choose from one of four tracks:
• Health Science
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Education
The 65,500-square foot, two-story structure includes 23 general classrooms, two physics labs, a chemistry lab, biology lab and health science lab classroom. Between all the instructional areas there are break-out spaces for students to enjoy.
The specialty classrooms are rich in equipment, technology and Audio/Visual infrastructure. The campus also includes a tiered-seating large group instruction space for 175 occupants. The main two-story Commons Area is the hub of the building and is utilized by students as a collaboration space and dining area.
The Commons Area is anchored by the Information Literacy Center and a feature Learning Stair. These areas provide unique opportunities for delivering instruction to students and provide flexibility for presentations to small or large groups. The academy sits on a 38-acre property at the corner of McColl Road and Pecan Boulevard.
Timeline of events
· March 23, 2022 Agreement signed by UTRGV, McAllen ISD & City of McAllen
· January 18, 2023 Ground-breaking ceremony
· July 22, 2024 Construction completed
· August 19, 2024 First day of classes
About UTRGV
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 as the first major public university of the 21st century in Texas. This transformative initiative provided the opportunity to expand educational opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley, including a new School of Medicine, and made it possible for residents of the region to benefit from the Permanent University Fund – a public endowment contributing support to the University of Texas System and other institutions.
UTRGV has campuses and off-campus research and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley including in Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville (formerly The University of Texas at Brownsville campus), Edinburg (formerly The University of Texas-Pan American campus), Harlingen, McAllen, Port Isabel, Rio Grande City, and South Padre Island. UTRGV, a comprehensive academic institution, enrolled its first class in the fall of 2015, and the School of Medicine welcomed its first class in the summer of 2016.
About McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD is a three-time winner of the state’s highest rating, an “A,” and a four-time winner of the state’s Post-Secondary Readiness Distinction. In 2022, McAllen ISD was named the Best Large District in Texas through the H-E-B Excellence in Education awards. The district is home to 31 campuses and approximately 20,000 students. To learn more about McAllen ISD’s schools and programs, contact Student Outreach at 956-687-MISD (6473).
PHOTO CAPTIONS
At top, officials and students pose as the ceremonial ribbon is cut to celebrate the new UTRGV McAllen ISD Collegiate Academy. Above, from left to right, are Dr. Nolan Perez of the University of Texas Regents; Dr. Guy Bailey, President of UTRGV; Dr. Rene Gutierrez, Superintendent of McAllen ISD; Sofia Pena, McAllen School Board President; Javier Villalobos, Mayor of McAllen; Lucia Regalado, McAllen School Board Vice-President; and Aaron Rivera, McAllen School Board Trustee.