EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Socorro Independent School District said it is the most recent district in the country to earn the National Certificate for STEM Excellence – District (NCSE-D) STEM certificate.
Socorro ISD announced the recognition on Tuesday, May 27, in a news release.
Socorro ISD said the district is the first in West Texas and one of only three in Texas in the nation to earn the district STEM certification.
The certificate, which comes from the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE), recognizes districts for their commitment to continually improving districtwide systems and structures that support STEM educators and their students, Socorro ISD said.
“We are extremely honored to earn the national STEM certification, which validates the hard work and dedication among our faculty, staff and administrators to ensure that our students are receiving meaningful instruction and hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and math,” Socorro ISD Interim Superintendent James Vasquez said. “Our highly qualified teachers, campus and district leaders are achieving outstanding results integrating STEM instruction across all areas of student learning.”
Socorro ISD said NISE, which is headquartered in Houston, Texas, was conceived by seasoned, practicing educators and is based on thousands of hours of research, professional development, curriculum design, and educational leadership.
Using an online platform and supported by a dedicated NISE STEM leadership coach, educators and district leaders work together to refine district operations and instruction to further strengthen STEM practices and the district’s overall STEM culture, Socorro ISD added.
Socorro ISD said that as part of earning the NCSE – District Certification, along with over two years of sustained visioning, planning, and implementing STEM education system, three campuses also earned the NCSE – Campus Certification, and 97 teachers and administrators earned the National Certificate for STEM Teaching (NCST).
Escontrias STEAM Academy was the first school in West Texas to earn the National Certificate for STEM Excellence – Campus Certification in July 2023, the district said.
The district added that Sierra Vista STEAM Academy earned the certification in August 2024, and Montwood High School earned the certification in January 2025.
“I commend the district academics team and our STEM-certified schools who worked diligently to make this national certification a reality for our students and district,” Vasquez said. “It demonstrates that SISD is a leader in STEM education dedicated to providing students the knowledge, skills and resources to excel in our competitive, science and technology-based society.”
Read: Read More