Santa Gertrudis ISD, comprised of 190 square miles, is located in Kleberg County approximately 40 miles south of Corpus Christi. The county seat is located in Kingsville, which is the home of the King Ranch. Santa Gertrudis was formally established in 1917 as one of three schools associated with the King Ranch of South Texas. Today, Santa Gertrudis is the only remaining school facility associated with the King Ranch.

Santa Gertrudis is fully accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and has operated as an independent school district since 1942. Currently the district operates two schools in two separate locations; a combined elementary/junior high that includes students from early childhood through grade eight and a high school that includes grades 9-12.

In 1994, TEA approved the formation of Academy High School; originally a collaborative program of Santa Gertrudis ISD, Driscoll ISD and Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The school began with a freshman class in 1994-1995 and expanded to serve all four grades (9-12) by 1997-1998.