Watching the final graduate of Grand Oaks High School cross the stage was the perfect capstone to my 21st year as a Texas superintendent, and a truly unforgettable first year with Conroe ISD celebrating 5,316 graduates! I head into the summer feeling deeply grateful, incredibly encouraged, and more inspired than ever by the strength of our school district.
Since hitting the ground running in October, my mission has been to see our schools in action. I’ve had the privilege of making more than 300 campus and classroom visits, and that doesn’t even include the spectacular energy I've witnessed at our band contests, musicals, robotics matches, athletic events, and spirit competitions. Every single one of these moments allowed me to talk with our kids and experience the heartbeat of our district: our classrooms.
One of those visits beautifully captured the essence of why we do this work. While at Powell Elementary, a polite fourth grader walked up to me, pointed directly at his classroom door, and proudly declared, “She’s a great teacher!”
Having just stepped out of that very room, I wholeheartedly agreed. Mrs.Stacey Dunn didn't just teach; she made reading and language arts truly come alive for her students. It is educators like her who define the excellence of Conroe ISD. Our campuses are full of amazing teachers across the district, and our student results are a reflection of this excellence.
While our hallways are quieter now that summer is here, our vision for the future is already in high gear. As we prepare to receive this year's STAAR results, we view this data not as a final grade, but as a powerful roadmap. These insights will empower our talented teachers and administrators to tailor curriculum, elevate instruction, and unlock the unique potential of every student next year.
This year, we had a little jump on planning, as we completed a district wide curriculum audit to ensure we were equipping our teachers with the tools they need to help their students learn and grow. This was especially important as elementary reading teachers in grades K-5 were introducing a new curriculum and math teachers across the district were in the process of selecting a new curriculum to implement in 2026-27.
We also have to keep in mind that STAAR will move to a three assessment model in the 2027-28 school year. Thankfully, we launched an assessment system called MAP that will practically mirror the new STAAR. (Spoiler alert, our kids did great and our teachers implemented MAP flawlessly.)
We measure student progress with different assessments including SAT, ACT, PSAT, MAP, CTE certifications in addition to STAAR. Student performance on PSAT yielded a record number of high school National Merit Finalists. Conroe ISD boasted 102 National Merit Commended Scholars, 339 Rural and Small-town Recognition Award Scholars, 239 received the First-Generation Recognition Award and 36 National Merit Finalists! Comparatively, what we accomplished in a single year would take many large Texas school districts a decade to achieve. Lastly, the Lone Star Cup is a competition that includes Academics, Fine Arts, and Athletics through UIL competition. Conroe ISD had 3 schools in the top 15 in the state of Texas for the 6A Lone Star Cup. We have some amazing kids and rock star educators!
As we begin receiving preliminary STAAR results, I am reminded that behind every score is a great teacher making a difference in the lives of children. In Mrs. April Gaspard-Grimes’ fifth-grade mathematics classroom at Grangerland Intermediate, we see the impact of a teacher who guided her students to strong mathematics outcomes while ensuring every learner experienced rigorous and engaging instruction. Teachers like Mrs. Gaspard-Grimes are laying the foundation for future success, and our student results are a reflection of the excellence found in classrooms across Conroe ISD.
Some initial STAAR scores have been released, and the remaining results will be available soon. Our team has received the preliminary reports and is currently analyzing the data. We are committed to keeping you informed, stay tuned for future updates. Ultimately, as educators, parents and the public, we know that standardized test scores only tell part of the story of our students' success.
The data we are receiving now is completely preliminary. It does not include factors such as growth or other important factors that will come later. They can, and will, change before the final campus and district ratings are released.
Conroe ISD High Schools Achieved Outstanding Graduation Rates Across the Board
Across the entire district, graduation numbers stand out as a premier area of strength. Every single traditional high school met top-tier performance expectations for keeping students on track to graduate. Most notably, Booker T. Washington High School achieved maximum performance under the alternative education framework for its graduation rate, demonstrating a rock-solid district commitment to ensuring our most vulnerable student populations successfully cross the finish line.
Gains in STAAR, End-of-Course (EOC) Exams
Conroe ISD high school students have once again demonstrated academic excellence, outpacing the state average across all subject areas in the recently released State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) End-of-Course (EOC) results. Most notably, the district celebrated significant performance surges in critical STEM subjects, including Algebra 1 and Biology.
Middle School Results, Planning for the Future
We are incredibly proud of Conroe ISD’s junior high and intermediate students and teachers. While preliminary STAAR campus performance data did not fall and showed slight increases, we are taking proactive steps to achieve even greater results next year. Based on the recent curriculum audit revealing specific needs, the district is now focusing on providing targeted support and a clear roadmap to help instructional leadership teams with curriculum coordinators for each content area focusing on Grades 5th through 8th.
Elementary Student Performance, A Year of Transition
With the introduction of the new Bluebonnet RLA curriculum this year, we anticipated an adjustment period and the data reflects a promising start. NWEA MAP results for kindergarten through 5th grade showed meaningful student growth, and while preliminary STAAR RLA data indicates some variance in certain areas, it's worth highlighting that these early numbers don't yet include student growth measures or other upcoming data points that will provide a fuller, more meaningful picture. Notably, more than half of all campuses demonstrated accelerated growth, with students in 3rd and 4th grade reaching Meets or Masters proficiency levels at higher rates. NWEA MAP performance scores for students in grades 2 through 5 climbed 1% from the beginning of the year to the end — a positive sign of momentum. And for our youngest learners, 52% of Kindergarten and 1st grade students met their projected growth goals, a strong foundation as we continue building on this new curriculum.
Conroe ISD’s elementary school STAAR Mathematics outcomes reflect relatively stable student performance across grade levels. While there is still room for growth, the newly adopted, teacher-selected Savvas curriculum is positioned to bring a welcome, impactful change for both educators and students. Standout successes emerged in 3rd and 4th-grade math, where multiple campuses achieved significant gains, boosting student performance at the Masters level in 3rd grade and across both the Meets and Masters levels in 4th grade.
Many of you were stepping into a brand-new curriculum and we all know that is quite an undertaking, but you pulled out all the stops and did exactly what our students needed. We see your hard work, and we are deeply grateful.
While you recharge, we are making adjustments to lift the weight off your shoulders. We’ve listened closely to your feedback, and our goal for next year is simple: less introduction of the new, and a deeper focus on implementation. We are equipping your classrooms with practical tools and targeted training that save you time.
We are fully committed to doing things with you and for you, not to you. Thank you for your faith, your expertise, and for everything you do to love and teach our kiddos.
Based directly on what teachers told us they needed, we have restructured our support across all levels:
Elementary Classrooms
More Tools: We are providing every elementary teacher with more than seven additional classroom tools that you specifically requested to help streamline your day.
On-Campus Experts: We are placing a designated Reading and Math Interventionist at every campus to provide direct, one-on-one support to struggling students.
Intermediate & Junior High Classrooms
Redesigned Support: Our recent curriculum audit revealed a clear truth: you needed more help, not more work.
Through a Teacher’s Eyes: We have completely overhauled our district support system. It is now designed by experienced educators who have taught your exact subjects and understand intermediate and middle school dynamics firsthand.
Teacher-Approved Reading: We are actively piloting the reading curriculum in intermediate and junior high classrooms next year, with the goal of delivering it district-wide once it has an official teacher seal of approval.
World-Class Math: Just like elementary, we are working hard to ensure a seamless, world-class implementation of our new math curriculum.
On-Campus Experts: We are placing a designated Reading and Math Interventionist at every Intermediate campus to provide direct, one-on-one support to struggling students
High School Classrooms
Increased Flexibility: You requested laptops instead of new desktops to give you freedom and flexibility as you move between classrooms, and we are currently deploying those devices to your campuses.
Resource Access: We have secured and provided the Advanced Placement textbooks you need.
Math Implementation: We will be smoothly rolling out the new math curriculum adoption that you chose during the school year.
Our school district theme this year is LEGACY, which we define as what will be remembered, revered, and worth repeating. Our goal is to ensure every decision we make honors that definition by focusing on five key pillars:
Setting the Texas Standard: Growing Smart and Good kids by establishing a districtwide movement that equips students for success in all aspects of life by developing a unified, values-based framework to guide students as they plan and pursue their future pathways.
Fostering a Culture of Family: Finding meaningful ways to better support our employees financially, educationally, and emotionally.
Loving Our Kids: Helping our students grow in mind, spirit, and character. We want them to be proud of their school, and to believe in their hearts that we are profoundly proud of them.
Partnering with Parents: Building an environment where parents understand, support, and actively participate in our decisions, keeping them proud of Conroe ISD and confident that their children are receiving an elite education.
The Drive to 90: Our curriculum audit showed that Conroe ISD has the distinct potential to receive an A rating in 2027. With the adjustments we’ve made to our curriculum delivery and the spectacular talent of our teachers and students, I fully believe this is within our reach.
In my time here, I have quickly learned that Conroe ISD is made of incredible people who truly want the best for the babies in our care. I wholeheartedly believe that the school belongs to the people. This community holds a high standard for our kids and this district. I share that standard, and I want to exceed your expectations.
As a superintendent, I have led four different comprehensive district curriculum implementations. Each was unique, and all had their challenges, but every single one ultimately resulted in achieving the highest state ratings available. Because of the caliber of our teachers, leaders, and students, I know Conroe ISD is poised for greatness.
This is OUR school district. Greatness is achieved when we work hand-in-hand. In the coming days and months, as we unpack what the STAAR results reveal, I welcome your praise, value your concerns, and deeply appreciate your support.
Our teachers need us, our kids need us, and we all need each other as we set the Texas Standard for Excellence, together. May that be our legacy.
Thank you for your dedication, your resilience, and your heart. You matter!