Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District is a public school district based in Pharr, Texas (U.S.) in the Rio Grande Valley. The district serves Pharr, San Juan, and Alamo as well as a small portion of McAllen. PSJA ISD's total student enrollment for 2010 was 31,329 according to the Texas Education Agency's website. In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency. PSJA ISD's current superintendent is Dr. Jorge Arredondo. In 2018, Carman Elementary in San Juan and Chavez Elementary in Pharr were named National Education Association Blue Ribbon Schools. History On March 15, 1919, Common School District No. 4 in Hidalgo County became Pharr-San Juan Independent School District. Forty years later in 1959, Alamo merged with the district, establishing what is now known as the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District, a district that caters to over 31,000 students in the tri-city area. PBS NewsHour showcased PSJA ISD nationally in a two-part series featuring the district's dropout recovery program success and early college high school work (July 2012). On June 6, 2007, The Dallas Morning News reported that Arturo Guajardo, the superintendent of PSJA ISD, and board members Raul Navarro, Evangelina De Leon, and Rogelio Rodriguez, were indicted on corruption charges. On January 24, 2011, former PSJA superintendent Arturo Guajardo and board members Rogelio "Little Roy" Rodriguez, Rogelio "Big Roy" Navarro, and Evangelina "Vangie" De Leon pled guilty and were sentenced to probation, fines, and prison terms. Also, Arnulfo "Arnie" Olivarez (former insurance agent) and George Hernandez (former Donna ISD board president) pleaded guilty and were sentenced to probation, fines, and prison term for their role in the bribery and extortion scandal involving PSJA ISD's finances. Service area The district serves portions of the cities of Pharr, San Juan, Alamo, and McAllen, as well as the census-designated place (CDP) of North Alamo, and a portion of the Lopezville CDP. Student Information In 2010 the district had 32,000 students, and in 2012 8,000 of them were attending senior high school. the student body at PSJA ISD was 99% Hispanic, and 41% of the students were classified as English as a second language students; with Spanish being the language spoken at home. TEA Academic Status For the 2009–2010 school year the Texas Education Agency designated 11 PSJA campuses with an "Exemplary" status and 19 as "Recognized," and the district was also designated as a "Recognized" School District. PSJA