(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – Aug. 15, 2025) — El Paso ISD is making waves in education. The newly released 2025 Texas Education Agency Accountability Ratings awarded the district an overall “B,” underscoring districtwide academic gains and marking a pivotal milestone in the journey toward academic excellence.
This year’s performance reflects far more than a letter grade; it represents a transformative moment for El Paso ISD. The district not only surpassed pre-pandemic reading levels but also posted a six-point increase in overall academic growth rate, signaling that El Paso ISD’s strategic initiatives are producing measurable, sustained results.
“The Academic gains that each of our schools made this year is evidence of the commitment to putting students first and leveraging the curriculum supports from the classroom to the district service center,” said Chief Academic Officer Al Garcia.
Overall, 53% of campuses within El Paso ISD have an “A” or “B” rating, reflecting the district’s upward trajectory and growing number of high-quality schools. The accountability data indicates 59 campuses experienced positive academic growth, including 30 schools with double-digit gains from the prior year.
The results highlight districtwide improvements and historic gains across campuses:
A-rated campuses jumped from 4 to 15.
B-rated campuses increased from 22 to 24.
In a year when many districts across Texas are still working to recover learning loss due to the pandemic, El Paso ISD made significant progress in closing the achievement gaps. These gains are especially significant given the size and diversity of the district, proving that intentional, student-centered strategies, such as targeted interventionists, the IMPACT summer learning program, and rigorous curriculum supports, are delivering transformative results for learners across every grade level and background.
“These results reflect the remarkable progress we can achieve when we work together with purpose and dedication,” said Interim Superintendent Martha Aguirre. “Our teachers, staff, students, and families have worked tirelessly to raise expectations and achievement. While we are proud of earning a ‘B’ rating, we will leverage the momentum to reach our goal of being an ‘A’ rated district."
District leaders attribute the improvement to bold, student-centered initiatives, including:
Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum — built with teacher input to ensure rigor, consistency, and equity in every classroom.
High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) — providing daily, structured resources to strengthen teaching and learning.
Leadership Development — building the leadership pipeline to ensure strong campus and district leadership.
Innovative Academic Programs — launching new STEAM, STEM, Fine Arts, and Environmental Science academies to inspire student engagement and growth.
Expanded Access to Algebra I — giving more students the opportunity to accelerate into advanced math pathways starting in middle school.
“This rating shows we are moving in the right direction and building momentum,” Board President Leah Hanany said. “We deeply value our campus teachers and leaders for their dedication, the staff and families who support their work, and recognize our students, whose efforts deserve credit. As a board, we are committed to providing the resources, policies, and targeted attention they need to serve El Paso ISD students. This is progress, and our focus remains on making excellence the norm for every child in every school.”
In addition, 122 total distinction designations were awarded to 39 El Paso ISD campuses. Distinction designations are awards recognizing exceptional performance by campuses that excel beyond standard expectations. Charles Middle School, Hawkins Elementary School, Milam Elementary School, and Young Women’s Academy received all possible distinctions.
Distinction designations are awarded in the following areas:
Academic Achievement in Reading/Language Arts
Academic Achievement in Mathematics
Academic Achievement in Science
Academic Achievement in Social Studies
Top 25%: Comparative Academic Growth
Top 25%: Comparative Closing the Gaps
Postsecondary Readiness
“This ‘B’ rating is a reflection of the momentum we’ve built together,” said Guy Rosales, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. “We are on the right track, and our focus remains on continuous improvement so that every child has the best opportunity to succeed.”
From classroom instruction to campus culture, El Paso ISD is making intentional investments to ensure every student has access to a high-quality seat and the support needed to thrive. The District thanks teachers, staff, students, and families for their endeavor, collaboration, and trust, and remains committed to delivering on the promise of a high-quality public education for all of El Paso’s children.