Congratulations to F. J. Scott Elementary School on earning the 2023 National ESEA Distinguished Schools Award! Scott Elementary was selected for the award because of their exceptional student academic performance and academic growth; excellence in closing the achievement gaps between student groups; and excellence in serving special populations of students such as migrants or English learners.
This is F. J. Scott Elementary School’s second time earning the award, the first time being in 2016. R. & C. Saenz Elementary School earned the award in 2022.
The National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program is a project of NAESPA that publicly recognizes qualifying federally-funded schools for positive educational advances and the outstanding academic achievement of their students. Established in 1996, the program showcases hundreds of schools identified by the State Education Agency for their success. Scott Elementary School was nominated for the award by the Texas Education Agency.
“We are extremely proud of the Knights at F. J. Scott Elementary School. They exemplify excellence in education, which is the basis for everything we do at Roma ISD,” said Roma ISD Superintendent Carlos M. Gonzalez Jr. “I am so proud of Principal Diana Perez and her excellent team of educators. They have put in place a variety of programs that have helped students achieve at the highest levels in academics and extracurriculars. Congratulations, and know how proud The Gladiator Nation is of your fantastic work!”
In order to be a candidate for the honor, schools have a poverty rate of at least 35% for the selected year, demonstrate high academic achievement for two or more consecutive years, and met or exceeded state standards of Adequate Yearly Progress for at least two consecutive years.
“The Texas Education Agency is proud to have F. J. Scott Elementary represent Texas as one of the highest-rated ESEA Distinguished Schools,” said TEA Commissioner Mike Morath in a letter to Superintendent Gonzalez. “Your administration, faculty, students, parents, and community are to be congratulated for their commitment to developing and maintaining a quality program, which serves as an example for other schools to follow.”
All National ESEA Distinguished Schools are honored with a commemorative award package, a dedicated section on the ESEA Network website, and a special presentation at the National ESEA Conference, which takes place in Portland, Oregon in February 2024. Throughout the National ESEA Conference, select sessions feature Stories of Success from Distinguished Schools, highlighting the notable work they have done to make significant improvements for their students. Distinguished School attendees are celebrated during several exclusive conference events.
