Several Dallas ISD campuses made it onto U.S. News & World Report’s lists of best elementary and middle schools in Texas despite the troubling metrics logged at the district level during the 2021-2022 school year.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Dallas ISD’s student achievement outcomes came in considerably below statewide averages that school year. Only 41% of students scored at grade level on their STAAR exams, and only 81.1% of the graduating Class of 2022 earned a diploma in four years. Such metrics at Dallas ISD put Dallas County in last place in a ranking of Texas’ top six big-city counties last year.
Still, some campuses recently earned recognition as some of the best schools in the Lone Star State.
William B. Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted (grades 4-8) came in at No.1 on the publication’s list of best elementary schools in the state. Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy (grades 4-8) came in at No.7. Lakewood Elementary School was placed at No.9, and the School for the Talented & Gifted in Pleasant Grove (grades 4-8) was ranked No.14.
“Earning this recognition reflects the dedication, hard work, and excellence of the students, teachers, staff, and community involved,” said Bridgett Ladipo, principal of Sudie L. Williams, according to a Dallas ISD news release.
“Their commitment to educational excellence is truly commendable, and these rankings are a testament to the quality of teaching, leadership, and overall educational environment. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of everyone involved and to continue striving to grow gifted leaders one talent at a time,” she added.
Despite the earned honors, some elementary schools in Dallas ISD logged alarming student achievement outcomes. John Neely Bryan Elementary, for instance, scored a 56 out of 100 in the student achievement metric during the 2021-2022 school year. Only 25% of students scored at grade level on their STAAR exams despite the hard work of the campus’ hardworking teachers and staff, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
J.N. Ervin Elementary was another low-performing campus that school year. It logged similar metrics as John Neely Bryan Elementary.
On the list of best middle schools, William B. Travis Academy/Vanguard for the Academically Talented and Gifted (grades 4-8) got the No.1 spot. Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School came in at No.6. Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy (grades 4-8) was ranked No.17. George Bannerman Dealey Montessori Academy came in two spots behind at No.17, and School for the Talented & Gifted in Pleasant Grove (grades 4-8) placed No.28.
