Given the benefits of a well-rounded education, Dallas ISD leaders and trustees are thrilled by the notable increase of students participating in extracurricular or co-curricular activities.
Nearly 60 percent of all enrolled students this school year have participated in an extra-curricular or co-curricular activity.
Here’s a look at the increased student participation by category this school year:
- 19,434 students participated in a student activity (up from 11,482 students in 2015–2016 and 5,248 students in 2014–2015);
- 12,057 students participated in athletics (up from 10,593 students in 2015–2016 and 9,914 students in 2014–2015);
- 54,790 students participated in the secondary level visual and performing arts (up from 46,801 in 2015–2016 and 44,027 in 2014–2015).
Trustees in 2016 adopted a student achievement goal to have all students participate in at least one extracurricular or co-curricular activity each year. Trustees adopted the goal after discussing how students are more successful when they are involved in school-related sports and activities.
To help increase student participation, the district streamlined the field trip approval process; campus principals were provided with additional resources; schools designated a Campus Activity Coordinator to monitor and track student involvement; and campuses promoted activities for increased student participation.
“Even in my wildest dreams, I did not think we could get this much done this quickly,” Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said. “We have a long way to go, but look how much the needle has already moved.”
Trustees also learned during the May 11 board briefing about some of the great student accomplishments this school year in extracurricular and co-curricular activities.
Visual and Performing Arts accomplishments include:
- 24 UIL Sweepstakes Winners across band, orchestra, and choir
- 12 Texas Music Education Association All-State Musicians
- 4 students advanced to UIL State Theatrical Design contest
- 15 students advanced to the State Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) contest
- Visual and Performing Arts seniors districtwide were offered more than $45,000,000 in college scholarships
Athletics accomplishments include:
- Madison Boys’ Basketball team won the State Championship
- Spruce High School wrestler Kym Jackson earned an All-State Medal
- The Skyline Boys’ Basketball Team won a Bronze Medal
- Fifty-four individuals and five teams representing 14 schools participated in state competitions
- Every Dallas ISD high school competed in post-season play in at least one sport
Student activities accomplishments include:
- Eight Dallas ISD teams have advanced to the Destination Imagination Global Finals being held May 24-27 at the University of Tennessee.
- Twenty-three students advanced to UIL State Academics Competition at the University of Texas in Austin. The students competed in Ready Writing, Science, Math, Number Sense and Computer Science, and Cross Examination Debate.
- Four schools advanced and competed at the VEX IQ Robotics World Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. Winnetka Elementary took second place in the competition. Also, Winnetka took first place at the U.S. Open VEX IQ National Competition.
- More than 150 students from nine middle schools qualified and competed at the Texas Math and Science Coaches State Competition at the University of Texas in San Antonio.
- More than 300 cheerleaders from 15 high schools participated in the UIL Texas State Spirit Championship Competition held at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
