A three-letter-grade turnaround has taken Josè “Joe” May Elementary School to an A-rating for the first time in the school’s history.
Behind that achievement is a focused approach built on academic growth, high expectations, and strong relationships. Each morning over the announcements, students reinforce that culture with an affirmation their principal created, reminding them they’re smart, kind, and ready to do their best the Maverick way.
Joe May also earned Texas Education Agency distinctions in academic growth, postsecondary readiness, and closing the gaps. The journey to an A wasn’t without obstacles, but through a focus on reading, writing, and speaking, students built a new foundation, and teachers worked with them to incrementally challenge themselves.
“The culture changed to kids wanting to learn and do better because they understood the importance. Kids don’t care about what they’re being taught until they know you really care about them,” said Oscar Aponte, principal.
Aponte leads with two decades in education and experience driving campus growth. His goal is to ensure students leave Joe May with the academic standing to choose their future, rather than having options limited by low grades or test scores.
Driven by a deep commitment to their students, educators at Joe May refuse to lower the bar. They maintain high expectations through backwards planning and aligning every lesson around a clear daily objective before guiding students toward mastering exemplary-level work.
Educators brought students directly into the process by openly sharing academic data with them and celebrating every small win, building a culture where students could recognize their progress and own their success.
“It was extremely challenging when we got here,” Silvia Martinez, third-grade teacher, said. “It took longer than usual to set rules, boundaries, and routines in my classroom, but everybody stayed positive, and we got through it. Students are in a better place now because we’ve already moved the needle and we’re going to keep pushing.”
Gladys De La Torre, who has taught at Joe May since its doors first opened 10 years ago, considers Northwest Dallas home. She routinely runs into her students and families around the neighborhood, and watching her community thrive is the ultimate reward for a decade of dedication.
“It has been like a hill, going up and down. Some years were harder than others, but I stayed because this is my neighborhood; these are my children,” she said. “When Principal Aponte told us about the rating, I was almost in tears because it’s so important for all the children who live here that they have equal or better opportunities to go to college, and it makes me very proud.”