- In August 2006, under the state's higher standards, the Texas Education Agency awarded HEB ISD a rating of "Academically Acceptable," for student performance during the 2005-2006 school year. The district has 17 "Recognized" schools, eight "Academically Acceptable" schools, and for the first time under the more rigorous standards, two "Exemplary" schools.
- The District's third International Baccalaureate candidates graduated from LD Bell and Trinity high schools in May 2006. Of the 75 candidates who completed the rigorous two-year program, 56 received the prestigious IB diploma, awarded by the IBO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. This is a significant increase over the first class that graduated in 2004, where 38 diplomas were awarded out of 79 candidates.
- In addition, thanks to the efforts of State Representative Todd Smith, who worked with HEB ISD administration, the Texas Legislature passed SB 111. This law means an institution of higher education shall grant at least 24 semester credit hours or equivalent course credit in appropriate subject areas to an entering freshman student for successful completion of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. The legislation became effective during the fall of 2006, for diploma candidates who received the IB diploma in summer 2006.
- HEB ISD has three Pre-K programs to provide early childhood education: Early Start, which combines Head Start with traditional Pre-K; Core Knowledge Pre-Kindergarten, a tuition-based program that uses the Core Knowledge curriculum; and the state-mandated program designed to enrich language development.
- HEB ISD offers Schools of Choice, where certain campuses offer Suzuki Strings, Core Knowledge and Foreign Language Immersion. Parents can inquire about transferring their children to schools that offer these special programs.
- The HEB ISD has been named in the top 15 percent of school systems nationwide as a recipient of the national School Match What Parents Want Award. An outstanding curriculum, academic test scores, class size and an above average expenditure on pupil instruction are the criteria for this prestigious award.
- For the third year in a row, the District has received a "Superior" Rating in the state FIRST program, the financial accountability rating system. "Superior" is the highest possible in this assessment and reflects the District's low spending on administrative costs and its focus on instructional spending; low student-teacher ratios; and low ratios of students to total staff. The rating was based on the 2003-2004 fiscal year.
- HEB ISD has nationally recognized visual and performing arts programs, including band, choir, art, and theatre.
- HEB ISD has innovative PTA, Adopt-A-School and Volunteers In Public Schools (VIPS) programs which promote school and community partnerships to positively impact student achievement.