Milestones and Achievements

There are a number of milestones and achievements (as well as a few shout-outs) that have occurred over the last five years — too many to share in two pages. However, here are just a few points of pride:

Weather

Severe weather events resulted in school closures and interrupted routine and academic progress. Staff and students in Aldine and surrounding Houston suburbs faced challenges related to property damage, transportation issues, and power outages.

In September 2019, Tropical Storm Imelda, the fourth-wettest on record in Texas, brought heavy rain, wind, and flooding.

A historic Texas winter storm in February 2021 triggered an energy infrastructure failure leading to water, food, and heat shortages. Nearly all buildings in Aldine lost power, and more than half of the facilities experienced damage. The district canceled school for six days, and students returned to a virtual learning environment before resuming normal operations.

Current Events, Politics and Culture

Events and forces outside our control have had a broad impact on learning.

In June 2019, Gov. Greg Abbott signed and passed House Bill 3, a historic school finance bill that provided more money for Texas classrooms, increased teacher compensation, reduced recapture, and cut local property taxes.

The death of George Floyd in May 2020 renewed the racial justice movement, which prompted Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney to urgently call for an examination of the black student experience in Aldine. In July 2020, Aldine ISD partnered with Good Reason Houston, embarking on a three-phase project to develop an action plan to dramatically improve Black student outcomes and opportunities.

In May 2022, the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, took the lives of 19 students and two educators, prompting Aldine ISD to increase police presence at the end-of-year events. Safety and security plans have also evolved to meet the district’s needs.

COVID-19

The pandemic had a transformative impact on education. It caused school closures and the eventual transition to a virtual learning environment. This resulted in learning loss, a decline in enrollment, as well as the way staff communicated and connected with the Aldine community.

In March 2020, Aldine ISD students and staff left for spring break, marking the last day of in-person instruction of the school year. The COVID-19 pandemic gripped the nation, and an emergency crisis was declared, resulting in states implementing shutdowns. The Class of 2020 graduation ceremony was held virtually.

Aldine ISD kicked off the 2020-2021 school year virtually with a rolling plan to welcome students back in waves. The Class of 2021 graduation ceremony was held outdoors. In the 2021-2022 school year, all students were invited back to in-person instruction, and the Class of 2022 graduation was held indoors again.

Choices and Opportunities

To continue to be the best choice for families and their students, Aldine ISD expanded its educational options and implemented more rigorous curriculum and instruction models.

In August 2019, Goodman Elementary and Worsham Elementary launched as Accelerated Campus Excellence (ACE) model schools; the model has been extended through the 2025-2026 school year.

Since 2021, Aldine ISD has opened the newest Choice School options, La Promesa (Aug. 2021), Young Women’s Leadership Academy at Parker (Aug. 2021), and Impact Leadership Academy at Wilson (Aug. 2022).

Aldine ISD announced the launch of its own college prep program, Hoffman College Prep, in fall 2022 amid the conclusion of a partnership with YES Prep.

In January 2024, Aldine ISD announced the launching of the Health Education and Learning (HEAL) program at Nimitz HS in partnership with Memorial Hermann fall 2024. Bloomberg Philanthropies is funding the program to create a career technical education (CTE) high school that prepares students for five high-demand healthcare career pathways.

Student Achievement

Aldine students, faculty, facilities, and programs continued to excel with several notable designations and achievements.

In 2024, Victory Early College High School maintained its streak, placing among U.S. News & World Report’s top high school rankings. Victory ECHS has done so since its inception in 2007. Looking at the rankings over the last five years Carver HS (2019, 2020, and 2024) and Blanson CTEHS (2024) also made the list of top high schools. Blanson CTEHS was also named to the prestigious AP School Honor Roll in 2023.

Aldine ISD partnered with EMERGE in 2019, a program that supports first-generation students through the college application process and helps them get into highly selective colleges and universities such as Northeastern University, Rice University, William College, Harvard University, Barnard College, Amherst College, University of Virginia, Carleton College, and more.

A Davis High School Class of 2023 student became the first certified private pilot in the Davis HS Aeronautics and Aviation program, solidifying the program’s pathway.

School Culture

Aldine ISD cultivates an inclusive culture that celebrates diversity, embraces differences, and promotes a community of positivity and success. The district is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment that focuses on every student’s social, emotional, and cultural needs.

Aldine ISD’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Department implements systems for students and staff that include a social and emotional learning philosophy and approach to help them manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, and feel and show empathy.

In July 2023, Aldine ISD implemented new student badges to increase the safety and security of students and staff. In addition to interfacing with the school bus tracking app, the badges help identify campus visitors earlier, decrease the risk of unidentified visitors, and reduce unsecured doors.

Aldine ISD celebrates a range of administrative observances, focusing on boosting staff morale and celebrating culture and diversity. Observances include National Police Week, World Teachers Day, and cultural celebrations such as Black History Month, Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month.

Mission Driven Leadership

In Aldine, leadership matters. Selecting and developing strong leaders throughout the organization determines the success of our students as well as the progress of our district.

Aldine ISD’s Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) application, was approved for the 2022-2023 school year, a significant milestone. Designated teachers can be rewarded as “Distinguished,” “Exemplary,” and “Master.” The TIA designation underscores our high-performing teachers’ value and integral role, making it possible for them to earn six-figure salaries. AISD teachers earned TIA designations in 2023 and 2024.

Organizational Efficiency

By aligning resources, streamlining systems, and continuously monitoring progress, Aldine ISD ensures that all efforts positively impact and support student achievement.

The Office of Communications unveiled the district’s rebrand with a new logo and website in 2019. It launched the strategic plan, A New Way Forward. The 2020 pandemic also prompted the department to launch All The Things: The Aldine ISD Podcast as a new way to share stories and connect with the community.

Aldine ISD kicked off 2023 with the groundbreaking W.W. Thorne stadium, a state-of-the-art facility built to meet safety standards and enhance the student and community experience.

In February 2024, Aldine ISD trustees approved the closure of Conley Elementary School, Sammons Elementary School, and Gray Elementary School at the end of the 2023-2024 school year to optimize the highest-quality facilities and continue providing Aldine students with the best educational choices and experiences.

In November 2023, voters approved all three propositions in the $1.8 billion Aldine ISD Bond. The bond’s focus areas include: safety and security, facility enhancements, and instructional technology.

Community Engagement and Outreach

Aldine ISD is committed to engaging with families and communities to increase brand awareness and share stories, information, and resources. By strengthening partnerships with families, community leaders, and business partners, Aldine ISD continues fostering a culture of transparency, trust, and district pride.

The Aldine Education Foundation, with the support of our community, awarded an impressive $3,481,836 in scholarships between 2019 and 2024, a testament to our commitment to the education and success of our students.