Results of the spring’s administration of the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness,   (STAAR) showed that Dallas ISD students are achieving above pre-pandemic levels in most subject and grade levels and overall achievement remained steady and stable.  In the interest of transparency and accountability, the district is releasing its internal calculations of accountability ratings for the 2023-2024 school year. These preliminary scores show the number of Dallas ISD high schools with A and B grades almost doubling compared to internal calculations for 2023 ratings. The district is also expected to have no failing high schools and the most…

Young Women’s STEAM Academy, Dallas ISD’s first all-girls legacy school, began the 2024-2025 school year with an inaugural freshman class as part of its expansion – and the Young Women’s Preparatory Network’s newest members. In support of YWSA’s integration to the network, Texas Instruments Foundation donated a $2 million grant in an effort to shrink the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math confidence gap. The funds will support the refurbishment of YWSA’s science lab, the installation of a wall wrap featuring female trailblazers, state college visits, a college success advisor, and the recruitment of new teachers. Rubinna Sanchez, principal of Young…

Imagine walking through a tunnel of cheers and high-fives, welcoming you into the first day of the 2024-2025 school year. John J. Pershing Elementary School did just that as the campus welcomed students back to school on Aug. 12. Across the district, more than 140,000 students were greeted in a variety of ways at their campuses prior to the first bell of the day. Campus cheerleaders, drumlines, principals, mascots, and special guests were at their school’s entrance ready to make it happen for students of all grade levels. Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde, Ed.D. set the tone for the school year…

As temperatures soar in Texas, Dallas ISD’s Sports Medicine Department are ensuring student-athletes are safe during extreme heat conditions. The University Interscholastic League (UIL) recently implemented new heat safety protocols, but Dallas ISD has been following similar measures for the past decade. The new UIL standards require cooling stations, restricted outdoor practice hours, and suspension of outdoor activities such as sports, band, and cheer, when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WGBT) reaches 92.1 degrees or higher. WGBT is a collection of ambient temperature, relative humidity, wind, and solar radiation from the sun. Corey Eaton, Assistant Director of Sports Medicine, oversees…