United Independent School District
Location
201 Lindenwood Dr
Laredo, Texas
United States
Coordinates27°34′27″N 99°28′49″W / 27.574168°N 99.480182°W / 27.574168; -99.480182
District information
TypePublic
GradesPK-12
Established1961[1]
SuperintendentDavid H. Gonzalez[2]
Schools42[3]
Budget$367,034,000[3]
NCES District ID4843650[3]
Students and staff
Students40,885 as of 2010[3]
Teachers2,538.01 (on an FTE basis)[3]
Student–teacher ratio16.11[3]
Other information
Websitewww.uisd.net

United Independent School District is a school district headquartered in Laredo, Texas.

History

The renovated Nye Elementary School on Del Mar Boulevard in Laredo

The district was created in 1961 via the consolidation of the former Cactus, Johnson, and Nye school districts. The "Big Three" involved in the establishment of UISD were rancher Joe B. Finley, Amparo Gutierrez, and John W. Arndt, all of whom have schools named in their honor.

By the 2000s, United ISD had a rapidly growing student population due to the burgeoning populations of many colonias along the Texas-Mexico border. As of the 2000s, United ISD gains about 1,500 students per year.[4]

On November 5, 2013, voters handily approved a $408.7 million school bond issue to acquire land, construct new schools, and expand other facilities. The tabulation in a low-turnout election was 5,148 (66.1 percent) in support and 2,643 (33.9 percent) in opposition.[5]

In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" under the accountability ratings system used by the Texas Education Agency.[6]

Service area

UISD serves portions of the city of Laredo, the cities of El Cenizo and Rio Bravo, and several unincorporated areas in Webb County. The census-designated places include:[7]

It also serves Larga Vista, now a part of Laredo.[8]

United ISD's land area exceeds that of Delaware.[9]

Standardized dress

Students in pre-Kindergarten through 8th grades are required to follow standardized dress code provided by the district; the dress code began during the 2006-2007 school year. Since the 2007-2008 school year, high school students are also required to follow the same standardized dress code procedures as approved by the Board of Trustees.

The Texas Education Agency specified that the parents and/or guardians of students zoned to a school with uniforms may apply for a waiver to opt out of the uniform policy so their children do not have to wear the uniform; parents must specify "bona fide" reasons, such as religious reasons or philosophical objections.

Shortly before the 2021-2022 school year, the Board of Trustees passed a "casual dress code". However, some restrictions still apply.[10]

Schools

Water tower advertises J.B. Alexander Bulldogs in Laredo.

High schools

Middle schools

Elementary schools

Former school

References

  1. ^ "About United ISD". United I.S.D. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2011. The 1961-1962 school year was the first for UISD, serving about 340 students from first through ninth grades.
  2. ^ "Office of the Superintendent". United I.S.D. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for United Isd". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  4. ^ "Texas Colonias - A Thumbnail Sketch of the Conditions, Issues, Challenges and Opportunities" (PDF). Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 25, 2004. Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  5. ^ "LISD, UISD school bonds pass as final voting results are released". Laredo Morning Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  6. ^ "2009 Accountability Rating System". Texas Education Agency. Archived from the original on 2015-10-25.
  7. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2020 CENSUS): Webb County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2021-04-19. - 2010 map
  8. ^ "CENSUS 2000 BLOCK MAP: LARGA VISTA CDP" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2021-04-19..
  9. ^ "District Maps". United Independent School District. Archived from the original on 2003-10-20. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
  10. ^ "UISD announces updated dress code for new school year". KGNS. 2021-08-11. Retrieved 2022-03-24.

External links

City of Laredo
Education in Webb County, Texas
School districts in Texas served by Region 1 Education Service Center
Authority control databases
Categories