
Back-to-School Resources
Back-to-School Resources: 2025-2026
- 2025-2026 School Year Calendar
- STISD Food Service: All STISD students eligible for free breakfast and lunch for 2025-2026
- Bus Schedules
- South Texas ISD Dress Code + Backpack Guidelines (English)
- Student Code of Conduct
- Student Handbook
- Campus Bell Schedules
- Student Registration + Schedule Pick-Up Events
2025-2026 School Year Calendar
STISD Food Service: All STISD students eligible for free breakfast and lunch for 2025-2026

South Texas ISD is approved to participate in the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) during the 2025-2026 School Year, which will allow all STISD students to eat both breakfast and lunch for free.
Parents/guardians will still need to complete an Income Survey as part of their electronic registration packet in Skyward; however, all STISD students will qualify for free meals.
Click here to visit the Nutrition webpage for more information
Bus Schedules
2025-2026 Bus Schedules are available in the Transportation page of the district website. Click here to access the Transportation section of the website.
South Texas ISD Dress Code + Backpack Guidelines (English)
Dress and Grooming (All Grade Levels) - From Student Handbook
The district’s dress code teaches grooming and hygiene, prevents disruption, and minimizes safety hazards. Students and parents may determine a student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided that they comply with the following:
- Extreme hairstyles are not permitted
- Students should come to school well-groomed and appropriately dressed
(Note: Examples of inappropriate dress would include: backless or semi-backless blouses, see through apparel, mesh stockings/blouses/shirts, low cut blouses, jeans worn at a level between the knees and waist, leather jewelry and other accessories with metallic studs, blouses with one shoulder only, blouses with straps less than three fingers in width, excessively tight clothing, gang or cult-related clothing, absence of foundation garments, etc. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive.)
- All students are required to wear appropriate footwear while on school premises. (Note: Due to safety reasons in laboratory situations, students are discouraged from wearing shower or beach thongs to school.)
- Apparel of any kind having obscene slogans, endorsements of any alcoholic beverages or tobacco products, emblems, or writing that is deemed inappropriate by the principal or designee will not be worn.
- Students may wear shorts. The length of the shorts shall be no more than two inches above knee cap.
- Students may wear earrings. Piercing in any other location of the body will not be worn at school.
- The length of any skirt or dress cannot be more than two inches above the kneecap, nor may slit in clothing extend two inches or more above the knee.
- No gang/cult-related clothing, accessories, or imagery is permitted.
- Chains attached at the waistline are not permitted.
- Undergarments may not be worn as outer garments nor may sleepwear (including slippers) be worn.
- Science and Gateway to Technology classes will follow OSHA standards as it regards dress code and safety, including footwear.
- Male students should not wear sleeveless shirts.
- Frayed/tattered jeans are allowed, provided there is no exposed skin above the knee cap.
- No visible tattoos are allowed.
- Leggings may be worn with a blouse/shirt that extends through the thigh (Leggings cannot be sheer/see through).
- No midriff blouses/shirts allowed. No visible skin of the waistline or midriff is permitted.
- Hood covers (from hoodies or sweaters) are permitted provided that head is not covered inside the building (for student safety)
- Backpacks are allowed but must be clear or mesh.
If the principal determines that a student’s grooming or clothing violates the school’s dress code, the student will be given an opportunity to correct the problem at school and return to the classroom. If the problem cannot be corrected at school, the principal will work with the student and parent to obtain an acceptable change of clothing for the student in a way that minimizes loss of instructional time.
Repeated or severe offenses may result in more serious disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
Student Code of Conduct
Student Handbook
Campus Bell Schedules
Student Registration + Schedule Pick-Up Events
Like last year, Student Registration will be completed electronically by all students/parents - new and returning - through Skyward, our student information system. This process streamlines things for new and returning families and cuts down on the amount of time spent on campus during Schedule Pick-Up. If you complete your child's electronic registration packet before Schedule Pick-Up, the amount of time you spend on campus that day will be minimal.
Click here for additional information on this process.
Campuses will hold “Schedule Pick-up” events from July 30- Aug. 1. See expandable sections below for the dates/times by campus.
Please note that you must complete your child’s electronic registration packet in its entirety before your child’s schedule for the 2025-2026 school year will be released to you.
Campus "Schedule Pick-Up" Dates/Times
Parents/Guardians: Please note that schedule pick-up should be a brief process for you and your child, if you complete your electronic registration packet ahead of time. Once you complete your packet through Skyward, you will not be asked to complete these forms again during your scheduled event.
At this event, you/your child will:
- Complete only forms that you have not yet completed. (If you have already completed your electronic registration packet through Skyward, this should be very limited.)
- Take a new photo for your child's Student ID card and receive it so your child will have it to wear on day one.
- Get information regarding bus transportation and schedule (if applicable).
- Receive your child's schedule for the upcoming school year. (All required forms must be completed before this will be issued.)
High Schools
Health Professions (Mercedes)
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Wednesday, July 30 – 9th and 10th Grade: 9 am to 4 pm
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Thursday, July 31 – 11th and 12th Grade: 9 am to 4 pm
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Friday, August 1 – Make-up Day: 1 pm to 4 pm
Medical Professions (Olmito)
- Wednesday, July 30 - 9th and 10th Grade: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Thursday, July 31 - 11th and 12th Grade: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Science Academy (Mercedes)
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Wednesday, July 30 – 9th and 10th Grade: 9 am to 4 pm
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Thursday, July 31 – 11th and 12th Grade: 9 am to 4 pm
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Friday, August 1 – Make-up Day (All Grades): 9 am to 4 pm
Virtual Academy (100% virtual) - This event will be held at the campus headquarters located inside the Biblioteca Las Americas (300 Med High Dr., Mercedes, TX 78570).
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Wednesday, July 30 – 6th, 7th and 8th Grade: 9 am to 4 pm
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Thursday, July 31 – 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Grade: 9 am to 4 pm
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Friday, August 1 – Make-up Day (All Grades): 9 am to 4 pm
World Scholars (Edinburg)
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Wednesday, July 30 – 9th and 10th Grade: 9 am to 4:30 pm
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Thursday, July 31 – 11th and 12th Grade: 9 am to 4:30 pm
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Friday, August 1 – Make-up Day (All Grades): 9 am to 4:30 pm
Middle Schools
Preparatory Academy (Edinburg)
- Wednesday, July 30 (Last Names A-M):
- Morning Session: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Afternoon Session: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday, July 31 (Last Names N-Z):
- Morning Session: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Afternoon Session: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 1 (Make-up day):
- Morning Session: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Afternoon Session: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Rising Scholars Academy (San Benito)
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Wednesday, July 30 – 8th Grade: 9 am to 4 pm
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Thursday, July 31 – 7th Grade: 9 am to 4 pm
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Friday, August 1 – 6th Grade: 9 am to 4 pm
Virtual Academy (100% virtual) - This event will be held at the campus headquarters located inside the Biblioteca Las Americas (300 Med High Dr., Mercedes, TX 78570).
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Wednesday, July 30 – 6th, 7th and 8th Grade: 9 am to 4 pm
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Thursday, July 31 – 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Grade: 9 am to 4 pm
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Friday, August 1 – Make-up Day (All Grades): 9 am to 4 pm









