In just four years since reopening as an elementary school, H.S. Thompson STEAM Academy received its first rating from the Texas Education Agency, a hard-earned B that reflects years of dedication from team members, students, and the community.
Jennifer Atkins, the school’s principal, served in South Dallas since the start of her career with Dallas ISD and says the area is now home.
When she took on leadership at Thompson, she brought strategies such as community building and academic retention that had proven successful at other schools in the Lincoln-Madison vertical team.
“It is my goal to make sure that our children succeed because we can achieve anything. It is my purpose to motivate our students,” Atkins said.
Her strategy also consists of sustaining student enrollment and creating legacy students. This ensures they receive a quality education and fosters family involvement. She encourages teachers to collaborate across grade levels, using student data to identify learning gaps and foster a campus-wide growth mindset. Her leadership has been a driving force in shaping a culture of success.
“She leads by example,” said Sheila Henry, assistant principal. “She’s very hands-on with everything that we do on the campus and is always visible. She never asks anyone to do something that she isn’t willing to do herself as an educator.”
According to Rockell Stewart, executive director of the Lincoln-Madison vertical team, Atkins goes above and beyond the call to align Thompson academically with the other B-rated schools in the vertical team.
Across every grade level, the STEAM academy encourages both campus and classroom celebrations, big and small. From ice cream socials and classroom parties to carts filled with snacks for the entire school, campus team members make it a priority to ensure students are valued and recognized each day.
This passion for learning also stretches across campuses and generations through the Aspiring Teachers Program, a collaboration with Lincoln High School and Humanities/Communications Magnet for students who plan to pursue careers in education.
Each week, select high school students visit Thompson to read and teach language arts to elementary students. This opportunity gives them real-world classroom experience and allows the vertical team to begin shaping the next generation of teachers in the community even before they graduate.
“I think students are getting a real opportunity to see what the craft is all about and what it takes to make a difference in students’ lives,” said Henry. “My high school teacher motivated me to want to be a teacher. With high school students coming over and gaining experience from real educators, they are seeing the need for teachers, and that makes a difference.”
Like other elementary schools in the vertical team, the STEAM academy lays an early foundation for success and helps the team work toward its long-term expectation of 100% graduation.
With a history of supportive alumni and active community partners, Thompson is here to stay.
“H.S. Thompson is B-rated today, with an A on the way,” said Henry.
