Big Bend Rural Initiative for Success in Education (BB-RISE)

Expanding opportunity through high-quality college and career pathways in the Big Bend
region.

Empowering rural students to graduate ready for college, careers, and a thriving future.

About BB-RISE

BB-RISE is a cross-district partnership between Marfa ISD, Alpine ISD, and Marathon ISD that brings together school districts, higher education institutions, and local industry to provide rural students with access to high-quality, college and career-aligned pathways. BB-RISE is officially designated as a Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) by the Texas Education Agency.

Our mission is to expand opportunities for students in the Big Bend region by creating career-aligned programs of study that lead to credentials, work-based learning, and college credit—setting students up for long-term success in education and the workforce.

BB-RISE Kick-Off Sizzle Reel

BB-Rise 2025-2026 Annual Report

Why BB-RISE?

  • Address rural opportunity gaps

  • Align education with workforce needs

  • Build sustainable career pipelines for local industries

  • Foster collaboration across districts and institutions