McLeod Elementary earns prestigious honor

The United States Department of Education (USDE) recently recognized 26 Texas public schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023. Nationwide, 353 schools received this prestigious honor.

One of the 26 schools in the state of Texas and 353 schools nationwide was McLeod Elementary.

McLeod Elementary has a culture of honoring hard work. The campus itself has had a history of highs and lows related to academic performance.

In the early 2000s, students excelled due to a high level of teacher professional development and grant funds, allowing teachers additional preparatory work and student intervention programs.

Curriculum and practices shifted over time and foundational gaps in learning widened, resulting in decreased student achievement. McLeod Elementary had an uphill climb each year to bridge learning gaps and meet increasingly more difficult expectations.

In the past two years, the campus rallied to positively change the culture with high expectations, find long-lasting strategies for academic achievement, and close achievement gaps.

Through a culture of caring and collective teamwork among hardworking teachers and students, the campus has experienced exponential growth and unprecedented progress.

At McLeod Elementary, the focus is on every single student. Teachers continually assess each student with both formal and informal data gathering, identify and target specific needs, develop instructional plans, and help students set personalized goals that are achievable by holding meaningful conferences and charting measurable growth.

When students meet their goals, they are always celebrated. As a result of their hard work, students begin to see their hard work pay off, which builds momentum, motivation, and ownership of their learning.

Students realize that they can achieve at high levels, and they do just that. This laser focus on every student seeing and tracking their own progress gives students confidence where they once may have had doubts.

Academic achievement paired with good character lessons and praising good student choices are just a few of the many things that make McLeod Elementary stand out among the rest.

Texas Education Commissioner, Mike Morath had this to say, “These schools are a shining example of the great things happening in classrooms across Texas. Each foster strong learning environments, employ loving, dedicated educators who focus on student outcomes, and facilitate programs and support that positively shape the leaders of tomorrow. I join Texans everywhere in saying congratulations on this incredible recognition.”

Established in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,700 schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms and validates the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in striving for – and attaining – exemplary achievement.

While awardee schools represent the diverse fabric of American schools, they also share some core elements. National Blue Ribbon School leaders articulate a vision of excellence and hold everyone to high standards.

They demonstrate effective and innovative teaching and learning, and the schools value and support teachers and staff through meaningful professional learning. Data from many sources are used to drive instruction and every student strives for success. Families, communities, and educators work together toward common goals.

National Blue Ribbon Schools serve as models of effective and innovative school practices for state and district educators and other schools throughout the nation.

A National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing a school’s entryway or on a flagpole is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning.

The USDE recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates: Exemplary High-Performing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.

Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and community involvement.

Up to 420 schools may be nominated each year. For more on the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program in Texas, visit the TEA’s Blue Ribbon Schools webpage.