Two Campuses Earn TEA All-Distinctions Top Ratings

The Texas Education Agency has announced that more than 400 campuses across the state – including two Spring Branch ISD schools – achieved the Met Standard rating in the 2016 state accountability ratings and also earned all seven distinction designations applicable to their individual campus.

The SBISD campuses recognized for receiving all possible distinctions are district charter middle school Cornerstone Academy and highly innovative Spring Branch Academic Institute, formerly called the School for Highly Gifted Students TEA announced the all-distinction honors for schools on Sept. 14.

Many SBISD campuses earned one or more TEA distinctions, but not all possible.

The distinction designation is awarded to a district campus based on achievement in performance indicators relative to a group of 40 campuses of similar type, size and student demographics.

Depending on campus grade levels and type, the number of potential designations of distinction can vary. Up to seven distinction designations can be earned for the following:

• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading;
• Academic Achievement in Mathematics;
• Academic Achievement in Science;
• Academic Achievement in Social Studies;
• Top 25 Percent: Student Progress;
• Top 25 Percent: Closing Performance Gaps; and
• Postsecondary Readiness

In making the state announcement, TEA Commissioner of Education Mike Morath noted that earning one or more distinctions is noteworthy and should be a source of pride in a school community.

“Earning all possible distinctions is a significant accomplishment and should signal to parents that there is extraordinary work taking place on that campus,” the state’s highest education officer said.
The SBISD Board of Trustees in April unanimously approved renaming the School for Highly Gifted Students as the Spring Branch Academic Institute.

The institute operates a “school within a school” concept at three campus locations – Valley Oaks Elementary, Spring Forest Middle and Stratford High. About 80 students identified as highly, exceptionally and profoundly gifted are provided learning opportunities by meeting individual abilities, strengths and interests.

Cornerstone Academy, with about 380 students enrolled, has provided a program of high academic success since it opened more than a decade ago. Since opening, this campus has earned TEA’s Exemplary rating yearly. Students are provided a challenging and advanced curriculum in all subject areas.

In addition, advanced technology and hands-on project methods are combined to pursue individual and group projects and learning methods.

To view the 2016 state accountability and distinction designations for all districts, charters and campuses in Texas, please visit the TEA website.