According to the district's documents and internal tracking, prior to 1994, Santa Gertrudis ISD and Driscoll ISD experienced a student dropout rate of 40 percent by the sophomore year. The program follows a performance-based academic program that moves students through the application of skills in real world situations. Students work at their own pace and are tested to determine readiness to begin each successive level of instruction. The program uses a portfolio containing examples of work that demonstrate skills the students have attained. The portfolio often includes different types of media, such as video recordings, computer discs, audio tapes and multimedia presentations.
Parents view the portfolio during student-led conferences which are held every nine weeks.
In addition, Academy High School's Booster club will pay tuition for concurrent courses for students who enroll in college classes. The district is presently working on developing guidelines for a full four-year scholarship program. Most graduating students have accumulated some college hours from either TAMU-K or Coastal Bend Community College. A new performance-based concept for secondary education has drastically reduced the dropout rate from 40 percent to zero and increased the number of students pursuing higher education.