Diaz-Villarreal Elementary awarded National Blue Ribbon honor

LA JOYA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Diaz-Villarreal Elementary in La Joya ISD has been awarded the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School Designation, recognizing it as one of the top schools in the nation.

The designation, which is one of the highest honors a school can receive, reflects the dedication of educators, students, and the community at Diaz-Villarreal Elementary. Despite the U.S. Department of Education's decision to stop issuing these designations, the Texas Education Agency continues to recognize schools meeting Blue Ribbon standards.

"This sort of achievement is not possible without great leaders and a hard-working and dedicated staff," said Dr. Marcey Sorensen, Superintendent of Schools for La Joya ISD. "Ms. Hinojosa led this campus to be recognized as one of the best."

Last year, Diaz-Villarreal was invited to apply for the designation. Under the leadership of Principal Bibiana Hinojosa, the campus team worked diligently to complete the rigorous application process. This effort has placed Diaz-Villarreal Elementary among the best schools in the nation, showcasing the district’s commitment to academic excellence through strong leadership.

During a special assembly, Principal Hinojosa, along with district leaders, surprised students and staff with the news of the designation. The celebration featured performances by Palmview High School's Conjunto La Tradicion, energizing the crowd.

Principal Hinojosa expressed her pride in the achievement, stating, "This national accolade belongs to all of us – to our amazing teachers, our determined students, and our supportive parents and community."

Diaz-Villarreal staff will be formally recognized and celebrated at the next La Joya ISD School Board meeting set for Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 5:30 p.m.

La Joya ISD commends Diaz-Villarreal Elementary for representing the district at a national level, reflecting the heart, dedication, and excellence that define the La Joya ISD community.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KVEO. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KVEO staff before being published.