Sunday, August 5, 2007

Back to School: About Laredo Schools

Preschools/Daycares/Mother's Day Out Programs and Pre-K

Many daycare centers and preschools exist in the Laredo area. These range from private, in-home situations to Montessori schools. Speaking to the families involved in the Family Group of the Laredo Newcomers Club would be a great starting point for any search for quality childcare in Laredo. For licensing reports about Laredo childcare centers visit the DFPS website.

First Baptist Church of Laredo currently offers a twice-monthly Mom's Morning Out program and a monthly Parent's Night Out program, year-round.

Public schools in Laredo also offer preschool programs starting at age three. Enrollment is limited to children who meet certain income restrictions or who speak Spanish only. Contact the local school districts for more information.

Elementary through High School

Laredo public schools are divided into two school systems: United Independent School District (UISD) and Laredo Independent School District (LISD).

Both UISD's website and LISD's website contain school uniform regulations, a student handbook, school year calendars, and links to individual schools.

District boundary maps for UISD can be found here. LISD district maps can be found here.

Laredo is also served by Catholic and non-Catholic private schools:

Blessed Sacrament School, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, Saint Augustine Elementary, Saint Augustine High School, Saint Peter Memorial School, and Mary Help of Christians School are all part of the Catholic Diocese of Laredo (for addresses and phone numbers).

The Laredo Christian Academy is an Assemblies of God private school. Grades PK through 12th are taught in the academy. It is located at 6103 N. McPherson (956-727-2732).

Power Christian Academy is affiliated with Dunamis Ministries located at 1601 Shiloh Drive (956-712-1172) and serves students from pre-K through 9th grade.

United Day School (pre-K4 through 8th grade) is located beside Doctors Hospital on the north side of Laredo.

Homeschooling

Laredo has a strong support network for homeschoolers in the form of the Providence Homeschool Association. Though the website hasn't been updated recently, the group does have bi-monthly meetings, sponsors activities including a science fair, and has a resource packet about how to get started in homeschooling. Signing the guestbook at the bottom of the "Newsletter" page will let this group know to add you to the mailing list.

For information about homeschooling regulations in Texas, the Texas Homeschool Coalition website is a good place to start.

Higher Education

Laredo Community College (LCC) has a main campus located near downtown Laredo (West End Washington Street) and a branch campus located in South Laredo (Zapata Highway). LCC offers a variety of tw0-year and certificate programs, transfer assistance to four-year universities, distance education, and community education classes.

Texas A & M International University (TAMIU) offers baccalaureate and masters programs in the arts, humanities, business, education, physical, biological, and social sciences, and health professions, with authority for select doctoral programs. It is located on Loop 20 on the north side of Laredo.