Once rated an F, Haas Middle School is now a model of growth, earning a B from the TEA and helping CCISD eliminate all F campuses since 2023.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — After years of struggling under a failing grade, Haas Middle School is celebrating a major comeback.

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The Corpus Christi Independent School District campus recently improved its Texas Education Agency rating from an F to a B, marking a dramatic turnaround years in the making. The achievement also means CCISD now has no campuses rated “F” for the first time since 2023.

Principal Danny Noyola said the improvement has been a long-term goal since the school’s consolidation with Cullen Middle School in the 2018–2019 academic year.

“I’m living the dream,” Noyola said. “To see the success of students, teachers, community, and parents all together, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

The road to recovery wasn’t easy. Haas Middle School began its improvement journey in 2019 after receiving an “F” rating and a targeted improvement plan from the TEA. Just as the school began showing progress, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted learning across Texas and halted STAAR testing, setting efforts back.

Still, Noyola said the team stayed focused on their goal.

“Anytime two schools combine, we tend to see an academic dip,” he said. “After the consolidation, Haas was the only ‘F’ campus in the district, which can have huge ramifications on morale for students, teachers, and the community.”

Teacher Debra Gonzalez, who has been with Haas since it first opened as a middle school, said renewed collaboration and parent involvement have made a visible difference.

“It’s been nice to see more parental involvement,” Gonzalez said. “There was a time when we didn’t even have a PTA. Now, with our daily team meetings and instructional support, we’re all working together toward the same goal.”

Noyola said the school’s next challenge is improving student attendance. He and his staff are partnering with Haas’ feeder elementary and high schools to build on the progress and strengthen the district’s academic pipeline.

“The goal isn’t just to be successful for one year,” Noyola said. “It’s to continue that momentum for years to come.”