Drivers near Vanguard Academy's Van Gogh Campus in the area of southern Pharr say school traffic is making their daily commutes harder.

Cars line Moore Road outside the campus during drop-off and pickup times. Less than a mile away, Pharr resident Ricardo Lemus has watched traffic in the area grow over the years.

"Every year traffic has kept growing and growing until we've reached this point right now, which is frustrating," Lemus said.

Lemus said school mornings can be especially busy with the campus less than a mile away.

"School traffic makes it pretty hard to get out in the morning from Hall Acres to Jackson because of the school," Lemus said. "Sometimes I have to use Cage and go all the way to Ridge to cross over to McAllen and the same thing on the way back."

This is Van Gogh Campus's first week back to school. Vanguard Academy says there have been longer-than-usual wait times during drop-off and pickup.

In a statement sent to Channel 5 News, the school said it put new traffic procedures in place for the 2026-2027 school year. That includes a new designated queuing lane on campus designed to fit more cars and reduce the number of cars backing up on surrounding roads.

The school says families are still getting used to the new process. Vanguard says it is monitoring traffic flow and will make adjustments as needed.

For Lemus, school traffic is part of the congestion he now plans his day around. Sometimes that means leaving home much earlier.

"I have to leave earlier to find alternate routes because if I take Jackson, like I said, I won't make it on time," Lemus said. "You have to leave at least 40 minutes before your appointment."

Vanguard Academy also said it will work with city officials when appropriate to help keep traffic around the campus safe and orderly.

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