Abilene ISD recently announced that Thomas and Ortiz elementary schools will begin a sunsetting process in 2025-26. The district will also pilot a school choice program at Martinez, Purcell, and Stafford elementaries.
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Click here to read the Board's announcement after their meeting on Jan. 13.
Building Brighter Futures in Abilene ISD's innovative strategic planning and development project intended to elevate it as the district of choice in Abilene and the Big Country.
The program is intended to ensure that every AISD student has access to exceptional academic experiences and the best possible learning resources through a thoughtful evaluation of academic programming, enhancement of the operational efficiency of our district, and a commitment to the equitable allocation of resources and facilities that best meet student and family needs.
Building Brighter Futures is about ensuring that every dollar spent, every program offered, and every facility utilized is in service of Abilene ISD’s mission to equip learners to make a positive impact in their world through relevant, innovative, and challenging learning experiences.
Thomas and Ortiz Elementary Schools will have a sunset year in 2025-26, operating only for grades 2-5 before being repurposed in 2026-27.
District-wide analyses of student outcomes and building usage showed that maximizing facility use will provide AISD families with more innovative teaching and learning options.
Thomas and Ortiz were selected for repurposing because they have the fewest students living in their attendance zones. Families will have the opportunity to choose from a range of outstanding AISD schools that best meet their children’s needs.
In 2025-26, AISD will launch a school choice pilot program at Martinez, Purcell, and Stafford elementary schools, offering families greater access to innovative teaching and learning opportunities.
This initiative follows a period of engagement with families and the community, where feedback highlighted a strong desire for innovation, advanced academics, and expanded student options.
Specialty campuses offer a focus on a specific theme, program, or educational approach, offering unique opportunities or resources that differentiate them from traditional campuses. These campuses are often designed to meet diverse student needs, interests, or career goals.
Though specific specialties have not yet been determined, possible examples include:
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) schools
Fine arts academies
Language immersion schools
Montessori or project-based learning schools
Career and technical education (CTE) campuses
At their meeting on December 9, 2024, the Abilene ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve the district’s application for a Strong Foundations Implementation grant. If awarded, this grant will provide direct grant funds to AISD to support high-fidelity implementation of curriculum and professional learning programs at every Abilene ISD elementary school. The Strong Foundations Implementation grant is just one of up to four innovative grant processes the district is considering that will drive innovative change as part of the Building Brighter Futures program.
The TEA provides two types of Strong Foundations grants. The planning grant helps schools adopt or prepare to use high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). The implementation grant supports LEAs in effectively implementing HQIM.
The TEA's School Action Fund grant provides technical assistance, resources, and grant funds to support the planning and implementation of whole-school actions.
Actions may include creating a new school or redesigning a whole school.
Mann Middle School is currently in the process of a school redesign through the School Action Fund.
As an example of the kind of school innovations that will be part of the Building Brighter Futures program, Mann Middle School is currently being redesigned as a STEM-focused campus and will open with that new model for the 2025-26 school year. The redesign of Mann was made possible by AISD’s application for a School Action Fund (SAF) grant with the Texas Education Agency.
