PSJA ISD Students Earn Prestigious College Board National Recognition Awards

PHARR –Students from the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) have been recognized by the College Board National Recognition Program, which celebrates the academic excellence of students across the nation.

Through this program, students are recognized for their outstanding performance on College Board assessments such as PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and AP Exams. These honors help students stand out to colleges and celebrate their hard work. Awardees represent some of the highest-achieving students in their communities. Many colleges are eager to recruit these students because of their demonstrated academic excellence.

In 2025, the College Board offered three types of recognitions: the First Generation Recognition Award, the Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, and the School Recognition Award.

This year, PSJA ISD had 215 student recipients with a total of 317 awards. Their achievement reflects not only their commitment to academic excellence but also the opportunities provided through PSJA ISD’s Nationally Recognized Early College Program and rigorous AP coursework.

“We are so proud of our PSJA ISD students for earning this well-deserved College Board National Recognition,” said PSJA Director of Advanced Academics Michael Murray Carreon. “Our students’ accomplishments demonstrate their determination and perseverance, and they inspire all of us at PSJA ISD to continue supporting them as they reach new heights.

Students in the 10th and 11th grades are eligible for awards based on the following criteria:

• Scoring in the top 10% of PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 test takers in their high school, state’s first-generation test takers, and/or state’s rural and small-town test takers; OR
• Earning a 3+ on two or more distinct AP exams in 8th, 9th, and/or 10th grade
• Maintaining a cumulative GPA of B+ (3.3 or 87–89%) by the time of submission.

“We are incredibly proud of the 215 PSJA ISD students who have earned this prestigious award from the National College Board,” said PSJA Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alejandro Elias. “This recognition affirms the hard work of our students and staff, and it reflects the high-quality education being offered across our district.”

To learn more about PSJA ISD’s Early College Program and Advanced Academic opportunities, visit www.psjaisd.us/whypsja