The LAREDO ISD Non-Traditional High School was first developed in 2010-2011 academic school year and was intended to help students with substance abuse issues. The campus was located at the Old Lamar Campus where it remained since its inception until October 2015 where it was relocated to the historical Urban School building, former VMT fine arts building, on 1619 Victoria.

 The LISD Non-Traditional High School officially changed its name to The Jose A. Valdez High School during the 2014-2015 Academic School Year.

The Jose A. Valdez High School serves as a safe haven for high school students who are at risk of dropping out of school due to substance abuse.  The school will provide a supportive learning environment to meet the individual educational needs, as well as the on-going treatment needs of adolescents in recovery.  The school will give the students the opportunity to earn high school credits and graduate from high school. Furthermore, our students currently have the opportunity to attain college credit through the dual enrollment course at LCC. Our students will graduate with the college readiness needed to further their education.