Abilene ISD Climbs in Ratings, Pushes for More Progress

Texas public schools made notable strides this year, with the number of D and F campuses dropping by about half compared to last year. According to new Texas Education Agency (TEA) ratings, this is the lowest share of struggling schools since 2019. About a third of campuses improved their scores from the year before.

Get our free mobile app

Statewide, 23% of schools earned an A, 57% landed in the B or C range, and roughly 15% were rated D or F. While those numbers show progress, some campuses are still facing years of low scores, which can lead to state oversight or even leadership changes if improvements aren’t made.

Abilene ISD’s Mixed but Encouraging Results

Here at home, Abilene ISD’s report card was a mix of celebrations and reminders that the work isn’t over. Abilene High School saw one of the biggest jumps, climbing 10 points to a B rating of 86, up 16 points from just two years ago. Both Abilene High and Cooper High also boosted their College, Career, and Military Readiness scores by more than 20 points.

ATEMS, the district’s STEM-focused high school, continued to shine with an A rating for the fourth straight year. Craig Middle School improved its standing with a B, and Purcell Elementary made one of the largest leaps in the district, climbing 19 points in a single year.

Read More: Abilene’s Green Light Hack: Law Enforcement Says It’s Not Illegal

Overall, the number of AISD students attending A- or B-rated schools jumped from 6% last year to 34% this year. District leaders have set a goal to push that number to 75% by the 2028-29 school year.

My Perspective from the Teacher Tribute Front Lines

As someone who’s been part of the Teacher Tribute Prize Patrol for years, these numbers aren’t just statistics to me, they’re personal. Teacher Tribute is where students write heartfelt letters about an educator who has changed their life, both in the classroom and beyond.

When our Prize Patrol rolls in, it’s a full-on celebration. I’m there broadcasting for KEAN 105 FM and The Ranch 92-5 KMWX, joined by the KTXS Channel 12 news crew, Hispanic Life magazine, Lamar Billboards, and Communities in Schools. We bring prizes for both the student and the teacher, including $100 cash, gift cards to local restaurants, and, thanks to Arrow Ford, the program’s founding sponsor, the teacher gets to drive a brand-new car for a month.

I’ve seen the smiles, the tears, and the pure joy when a teacher realizes just how much they’ve impacted a student’s life. It’s a reminder that while ratings are important, the true measure of a school is in the relationships and support that help kids believe in themselves.

Why This Matters for Our Future

The next leader of your business, your civic group, or even this country is sitting in one of today’s classrooms. Their success depends on more than just test scores, it’s about parents, teachers, and the community working together to build confidence, provide resources, and inspire learning.

We’ve made progress in Abilene, but the job isn’t done. If we keep showing up, in classrooms, at events, and in support of our teachers, we can make sure that momentum continues. Because every student matters, and every student deserves the chance to succeed.