Hidalgo's first school was established in 1852. Schools were also established in the nearby communities of Junco, Capote, and Granjeno during the late 19th century. The Hidalgo Independent School District was created in 1925 by the Texas Legislature. Its boundaries, covering a thirty-six square mile area, were established at that time as well. Hidalgo ISD remained small and by the 1950s, the district made arrangements to transport high school students to neighboring McAllen ISD for their studies. As enrollment increased, however, a new Hidalgo High School was constructed and opened its doors in 1976, serving grades 7-12.
Ida Diaz Junior High School and the district's second elementary campus (J.C. Kelly Elementary School) opened in the 1980s.
Growth slowed in the 1990s, due in part to the completion of a new high school in neighboring Valley View ISD. Students from that district had attended Hidalgo High since it was reestablished in 1976.
Dr. Alejo Salinas Jr. Elementary School opened in 1999. District enrollment topped 3,000 for the first time during the 2002-03 school year. An alternative high school, Hidalgo Academy, was established soon after and a fourth elementary campus (Hidalgo Park) opened in August 2004. Frequent renovations and other improvements have been made to accommodate the growing student population.[5]
Student demographics
The website City-Data.com stated that about 33% of the families in the district lived below the poverty line.[2]
The following figures are as of the 2007-08 school year.[6]
Total District Enrollment: 3,395
Student enrollment by campus
Hidalgo High School (893)
Ida Diaz Junior High School (696)
Hidalgo Elementary School (480)
Hidalgo Park Elementary School (421)
J.C. Kelly Elementary School (442)
Dr. Alejo Salinas Jr. Elementary School (423)
Hidalgo Academy (40)
Student enrollment by ethnicity
Hispanic: 3,383 (99.65%)
White: 6 (0.18%)
African American: 4 (0.12%)
Asian/Pacific Islander: 2 (0.06%)
Students by socio-economic status
Economically Disadvantaged: 3,050 (89.84%)
Limited English Proficient: 1,903 (56.05%)
Students w/Disciplinary Placements (2006–07): 29 (0.85%)