For years, PSJA ISD students have stepped into the spotlight.

They have captivated audiences on championship theatre stages, produced award-winning films, and transformed ideas into powerful stories through film, storytelling, and digital media. Their work has earned statewide recognition, proving that creativity is more than a talent. It is a pathway to opportunity.

Now, that pathway is growing even stronger.

For the 2026-2027 school year, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District (PSJA ISD) partnered with The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) to launch the UTSA Film Studies Academy, expanding the district’s nationally recognized PSJA Early College Program with a new opportunity for students interested in filmmaking, screenwriting, media production, and digital storytelling.

Housed at the Dr. Daniel P. King PSJA College & University Center in San Juan, the academy allows students to earn up to 18 college credit hours toward UTSA’s Undergraduate Film Minor in Film Studies while still in high school, giving them a head start on a university education and future careers in the creative arts.

“At PSJA, we believe every student’s passion deserves a pathway,” said PSJA Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alejandro Elias. “Our students have already demonstrated that they can compete among the best in Texas through theatre, film, and digital media. This partnership with UTSA allows them to build on that success by earning university credit while refining their craft and preparing for careers in the creative industries. It is another example of how we continue expanding opportunities that transform talent into college, career, and life success.”

Students enrolled in the academy are getting to explore the art and history of filmmaking through university-level coursework, including Basics of Screenwriting and History of Film: 1960s to Present. As they advance, they will have opportunities to study Introduction to Film and Media, Acting for the Screen, Music Video Production, and Digital Video Production, developing technical skills while learning how compelling stories are written, filmed, and shared with audiences.

For students like PSJA Collegiate School of Health Professions sophomore Arianna Chavez, the opportunity is already extending beyond the classroom.

As one of the students enrolled in the UTSA Film Minor courses, Chavez recently had the opportunity to assist with a video shoot for Grammy Award-winning Grupo Frontera, gaining firsthand experience in a professional production environment.

“When I went to the Grupo Frontera set, I got to see how everything works in a real production. I was able to see how the cameras were used, how they filmed different shots, and how the entire production team worked together,” said Chavez. “It was really cool, and I feel like I’m taking a step toward my future.”

The experience gave Chavez an opportunity to apply skills she is developing through the academy while seeing firsthand the possibilities that a career in film and media can offer.

The academy reflects PSJA ISD’s long-standing investment in Fine Arts, where students have consistently earned recognition across multiple disciplines.

This year, PSJA Southwest Early College High School captured the UIL 5A State Championship in Theatre, while PSJA North Early College High School finished as the UIL 5A State First Runner-Up, making PSJA ISD home to the top two theatre programs in Texas.

Students also earned statewide honors in the UIL State Film Contest, where PSJA Southwest’s documentary El Museo 956 placed second in the 5A Documentary Division and PSJA North’s Your Reality earned second place in the 5A Digital Animation Division.

For PSJA ISD Director of Fine Arts Jon Taylor, the academy represents the natural next step for students whose creativity has already earned statewide recognition.

“Every award our students have earned is proof that they have something meaningful to say,” Taylor said. “This academy gives them tools, mentorship, and college experience to amplify those voices. It’s exciting to see our Fine Arts students move beyond performance and into creating stories that can reach audiences everywhere.”

While students pursue the UTSA Film Studies curriculum, they will also continue to benefit from PSJA ISD’s partnership with South Texas College, allowing them to earn an associate degree, complete core college coursework, or accumulate additional dual credit before graduating from high school.

That layered approach to college readiness has become a defining characteristic of PSJA ISD’s Early College Program. According to the latest Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR), 18 percent of PSJA graduates earned an associate degree before receiving their high school diploma, significantly surpassing regional and state averages. The Class of 2026 also earned more than $159 million in scholarships and $44 million in grants, reflecting the district’s continued commitment to expanding educational opportunities for every student.

“The UTSA Film Studies Academy represents another significant step forward in our commitment to providing students with diverse and innovative college pathways,” said Dr. Linda Uribe, PSJA ISD Executive Officer for College Readiness. “We are grateful to our higher education partners at UTSA and South Texas College for their collaboration and shared commitment to student success. By expanding opportunities through our PSJA Academies and Early College Program, we are ensuring students can pursue their passions, earn meaningful college credit, and graduate with a competitive advantage as they continue their educational and career journeys.”

As storytelling continues to evolve across film, streaming platforms, and digital media, PSJA ISD is ensuring students are prepared not only to appreciate creative work, but to lead it.

For aspiring filmmakers, writers, actors, and content creators, the UTSA Film Studies Academy offers an opportunity rarely available to high school students: the chance to begin a university film education while still earning a high school diploma.

At PSJA ISD, the next generation of storytellers is already finding its voice. Now, students will have an even bigger stage on which to share it.