EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Some El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) campuses are adopting the Accelerated Campus Excellence (ACE) model, a proven framework for advancing literacy, numeracy, and holistic student development, the district announced Thursday, Dec. 5 in a news release.
Supported by the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO) grant, Tinajero PK-8, Guillen Middle School, and Murphree PK-8 are adopting the ACE model, EPISD said.
EPISD said this transformation is designed to replicate the success of Canyon Hills Middle School, which implemented the ACE model two years ago and experienced a significant double-digit increase in academic performance.
Canyon Hills is now ranked as the district’s third-highest performing middle school, a testament to the effectiveness of this model, EPISD said.
The ACE model is built on five foundational pillars:
Effective principals and teachers
Instructional excellence
Extended school day
Social and emotional support
Parent and community partnerships
“These pillars reflect El Paso ISD’s unwavering dedication to delivering high-quality Tier 1 instruction and fostering enriching environments where students thrive both academically and emotionally,” read the news release.
“El Paso ISD’s commitment to academic excellence drives every initiative we undertake,” Superintendent Diana Sayavedra said. “This redesign is about giving our students every opportunity to succeed. By creating an environment that supports their growth and encourages their best efforts, we are setting the stage for remarkable outcomes. This isn’t just about academics—it’s about building a community of learners ready to thrive in life.”
EPISD said a key focus of the ACE model is the recruitment and retention of exceptional educators who are passionate about student success.
As part of the transformation, any teacher or staff member interested in becoming part of the faculty at Tinajero PK-8, Guillen Middle School, and Murphree PK-8 must apply and meet specific criteria to be considered.
“Our work is not only for the students but also for the educators,” Sayavedra added. “We are fostering a culture of excellence where staff members feel valued and empowered to make a difference every day.”
Through the redesign at these campuses, El Paso ISD aims to set a new benchmark for academic excellence and community engagement.
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