Hidalgo High School

Starting with the original two-room schoolhouse, Hidalgo ISD had to be built a larger facility 1890’s to house elementary through high school grades. After decades of proudly celebrating high school graduations Hidalgo ISD found it increasingly difficult to bear the expense of operating a high school with the small number of students available. In the 1950’s, the district made arrangements to transport high school students to McAllen ISD for their studies.

Two decades had to pass in order for Hidalgo ISD to celebrate graduation ceremonies again. As the enrollment continued to climb, the Board of Trustees, decided that Hidalgo could once again afford to operate its own high school. Hidalgo High School was constructed and opened its doors in 1976, serving grades 7-12. Holding its first graduation in 1978.

The 1990’s was a decade of facility expansion and enhancement. Using the proceeds from two bond issues (1991 and 1997), grants, and reserve funds, Hidalgo High School undertook facility enhancements. Approximately forty permanent classrooms were added to the high school, including modern science and computer labs, fine arts classrooms, a spacious band hall, and a large gymnasium.

On July 12, 2003, Hidalgo ISD voters approved the sale of additional bonds in order to continue the improvements to the district’s educational facilities. As a result, Hidalgo High School went through additional construction and renovations. Some of the improvements include a new High School Cafeteria, and the remodeling and expansion of the gymnasium.

The growth in student population and the improvement in facilities in Hidalgo High School have been phenomenal, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. Hidalgo High School has established a Reputation for Excellence and represents one of the best high schools in the State of Texas.

In 2005, Hidalgo High School was named one of the best high schools in Texas by the Texas Educational Excellence Project for quality and equity in educating all students. The high school became nationally recognized that year, as well.

In the Spring of 2005, Hidalgo ISD and the University of Texas System received a grant totaling $1.2 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to transform Hidalgo High School into an Early College High School over the next four years. The goal is to have all of our students "college ready" and enrolled in college during their junior and senior years in high school. The senior class of 2010 will be the first class to graduate from the Early College High School.

If that was not enough, in 2006, Hidalgo High School was named among the three highest performing high schools in Texas based on a national study done by Just for the Kids and sponsored by the National Center for Education Accountability (NCEA).

As a result of hard work and dedication, Hidalgo High School will continue to be preparing tomorrow’s future, today.