PSJA highlights early-college 'wall-to-wall' model, $96M in family savings and new PEK industry partnerships

PSJA Tri-City Talks podcast host Claudia interviewed Dr. Linda Uribe, the district's executive officer for college readiness, about PSJA's early college programs, summer offerings and a new PEK designation from the Texas Education Agency.

Dr. Uribe said PSJA treats "every single student that walks into any of our high schools" as an early college student, contrasting PSJA's districtwide, wall-to-wall model with other districts that limit early college to small cohorts. "It doesn't matter where you're coming from, who you are," she said, describing free access to college courses, textbooks, transportation, advisement and tutoring.

The district and South Texas College provide dual credit on PSJA campuses and at the Dr. King College and University Center, which Dr. Uribe described as "our own mini college" where students are cohorted into degree pathways. She said students who complete dual credit can enter college with up to two years completed, often starting as juniors.

South Texas College data cited on the podcast said PSJA families have saved over $96 million in dual-credit costs since 2013 through 2025; Dr. Uribe attributed the large figure to PSJA being the college's largest partner and representing the majority of STC's dual-credit graduates.

The episode outlined upcoming and ongoing supports: summer dual-credit enrollment (more than 150 course options across two summer sessions), free TSI/TSIA test-prep camps for students not yet college-ready, a summer bridge program for incoming freshmen and targeted outreach to current eighth graders, and counselor-led "counselor cafes" to help students and families plan four-year pathways.

Dr. Uribe also described CCTA (a campus that helps students who dropped out return to school and earn certificates), the Balloon Learning Center that gives parents access to certification programs, and the PTI program that allows some special-education students to pursue industry credentials and job-shadowing.

Looking beyond high school, PSJA has a college transition team (with staff at UTRGV and South Texas College) who help seniors apply for college, manage FAFSA and scholarship support, and follow students to reduce "senior melt."

The district announced it has secured a PEK designation from the Texas Education Agency for its comprehensive high schools, formalizing career pathways and naming DHR and South Texas College as partners to provide internships and industry connections.

Dr. Uribe urged families to meet with counselors early, take the TSI and take advantage of PSJA's free supports. "Make sure your child contacts their high school counselor and that they get all the information that they need," she said. The podcast closed with contact reminders for families to enroll in summer offerings and to visit local school counselors for details.