News like these bring such joy! I happen to know and adore the principal of Dallas ISD’s Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School and I've visited the campus, as well. These stories of these Title I schools illustrate that even in the context of a pandemic, caring school leaders that value students' home cultures and racial backgrounds coupled with high parent involvement and high expectations, our children in these schools can be college going.
I shamelessly shout out here to Trini Garza principal, as well as my former Cultural Studies and Education program doctoral student at UT.
Way to go, Dr. Macario Hernandez!
This must be your 6th such recognition or so. I'm losing count! And how fortunate for your students! I know they love you and all the grow-your-own, community-based teachers at Garza. Keep doing what you're doing. Your school is not just saving lives—as if that weren't sufficient—but you're helping young people achieve their dreams. Felicidades! Congratulations!
You can learn more about the award from the Texas Education Agency website. The future is truly in great hands with principals like Dr. Hernandez and Dr. Ferguson Rodgers.
-Angela Valenzuela
4 Dallas-area campuses named National Blue Ribbon Schools
The coveted honor recognizes schools for high performance and closing achievement gaps.
Four Dallas-area campuses received National Blue Ribbon School honors Tuesday, recognized for their high performance and work to close achievement gaps.
The schools, among 26 receiving the status in Texas, were Dallas ISD’s Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School at Mountain View and Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy; Mesquite ISD’s Porter Elementary School; and Christ the King Catholic School in Dallas.
The program selects campuses based on either how well students perform on standardized tests or how much progress they make in closing achievement gaps among student groups.
Students at Garza and Gilliam typically earn college credit while completing their high school diploma as well.
The majority of those at Garza will be first-generation college students, principal Macario Hernandez said. Among its 431 students, 88% are Hispanic and about 8% are Black. More than 85% come from families that are struggling financially.
The honor is “validation for all the hard work of our teachers and our students and our parents,” Hernandez said. He added that the status is a celebration for the teachers and students who persevered despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The school staff values students’ home culture, racial backgrounds and lived experiences, he said, which allows teachers and students to build relationships that transform the experience for the entire campus community.
“It’s a family that really builds on each other’s strengths,” Hernandez said. “Humility and valuing and respecting and working with people with compassion and empathy can go a long way.”
Gilliam principal Gayle Ferguson Rodgers said the award is proof that a school can perform at high levels despite its at-risk population.
A majority of its students, most of whom are Black or Hispanic, also come from low-income families.
“This award is a celebration of everyone’s efforts as we do our mission here at Gilliam, which is to have college access and success for all,” she said.
Ferguson added that being named a National Blue Ribbon School “wasn’t a goal,” but that the school’s community only focuses on delivering on its mission every day.
The staff’s commitment to the school’s vision “Every Child. Every need. Whatever it takes.” became abundantly clear for Porter Elementary Principal Leeann Englert when she began working at the Mesquite school. She credited parents for pushing the school to meet high expectations.
“The campus exudes this vision in every conversation they have and in every decision they make,” she said in a statement. “Everyone is deeply invested in the success of our children.”
The schools join more than 9,000 others that the National Blue Ribbon Schools program has recognized in the past 39 years.
“I commend all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe while meeting their academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a written statement. “In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you found creative ways to engage, care for, protect, and teach our children.”
The four local campuses are among 302 public and 23 private schools honored across the U.S. on Tuesday.
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from The Beck Group, Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, The Meadows Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University and Todd A. Williams Family Foundation. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.
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