EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso public schools are now learning how the state rates their performance, as accountability ratings for some districts in the borderland were released on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The Texas Education Agency assigns campuses an accountability rating, A-through-F letter grades, based on academic performance and student growth.<\/p>\n
The ratings carry high stakes for districts and campuses that score poorly, as failing scores can trigger state intervention and, in some cases, could lead to a potential state takeover of struggling districts.<\/p>\n
However, schools that believe they received the wrong grade can pursue an appeal process in an effort to have the rating changed.<\/p>\n
While the TEA is set to release its 2026 accountability ratings for all Texas schools on Friday, KFOX14\/CBS4 obtained accountability ratings for schools in the El Paso Independent School District and Ysleta Independent School District on Thursday. <\/p>\n
El Paso Independent School District: <\/p>\n
According to EPISD, the district improved its districtwide performance in the 2026 state accountability ratings, earning an overall \u201cB\u201d rating with a score of 82, with a majority of its schools receiving A or B grades and several campuses posting significant year-over-year gains.<\/p>\n
The district said the biggest improvements were seen at Murphree PK-8 and Guillen Middle School, each moved from an F in 2025 to a B in 2026. <\/p>\n
In addition, Tinajero PK-8 improved by 9 points, moving from a C to a B. <\/p>\n
Districtwide, 39 campuses earned an A or B rating in 2026, including 13 campuses that received an A. <\/p>\n
The district said the results reflect improvement across elementary, middle, and high schools as it continues focusing resources and support on classroom instruction, teacher development, and campus leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cClassrooms are the center of our universe, and these results reflect the incredible work happening every day between our students and educators,\u201d Superintendent Dr. Brian Lusk said. \u201cOur focus is on strong instruction, meaningful coaching and support, and ensuring our teachers and campus leaders have what they need to be successful. Everything we do comes back to one goal: student success.\u201d<\/p>\n
The district\u2019s A-rated campuses span grade levels and school models, including neighborhood elementary schools, middle schools, magnet and early college programs, and two comprehensive high schools.<\/p>\n
EPISD campuses earning an A include:<\/p>\n
Bliss Elementary SchoolCielo Vista Elementary SchoolColdwell Elementary SchoolHawkins Elementary SchoolLundy Elementary SchoolTravis Elementary SchoolHornedo Middle SchoolWiggs Middle SchoolBurges High SchoolFranklin High SchoolSilva MagnetTransmountain Early College High SchoolYoung Women\u2019s STEM Academy<\/p>\n
EPISD also received 38 Distinction Designations from the state for exceptional achievement in specific areas of academic performance. Charles Middle School and Guerrero Elementary School earned every distinction designation for which they were eligible.<\/p>\n
The district said the 2026 ratings show improvement not only among its highest-performing schools but also at campuses working to accelerate student achievement, pointing to gains at Murphree, Guillen and Tinajero and a decline in the number of C-rated campuses.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese results are something our entire community can celebrate,\u201d Lusk said. \u201cThey represent the hard work happening every day in classrooms across El Paso ISD. We have strong momentum, and we are excited about where our students and schools are headed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The district said it plans to build on the gains by maintaining its focus on strong classroom instruction, support for teachers and campus leaders, and academic opportunities designed to help every student succeed.<\/p>\n
Ysleta Independent School District:<\/p>\n
According to YISD, the district has been named the highest-rated school district in the El Paso area, with all nine of its high schools earning an \u201cA\u201d rating in the 2026 A-F accountability ratings released by the TEA. <\/p>\n
YISD earned an overall score of 88 (B+) for academic performance and growth in the 2025-26 school year. The district also posted the highest College, Career, and Military Readiness score among the area\u2019s three largest school districts, with 95% of students meeting CCMR standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce again, Ysleta ISD remains among the top-rated school districts in Texas, including charter schools,\u201d the district said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe success we\u2019ve seen over the past decade at the Ysleta Independent School District reflects the outstanding quality of teaching and leadership across all of our campuses,\u201d Superintendent of Schools Dr. Xavier De La Torre said. \u201cStudent achievement and growth doesn\u2019t happen by chance \u2013 they happen because of what takes place within the four corners of the classroom every day. We\u2019re proud of the talented people who are leading and teaching at every campus, turning the promise and potential of our students into progress.\u201d<\/p>\n
All nine Ysleta ISD high schools received an \u201cA\u201d rating: <\/p>\n
Bel AirDel ValleEastwoodHanksParklandRiversideYsleta high schoolsValle Verde Early College High SchoolYoung Women\u2019s Leadership Academy<\/p>\n
\u201cThis means that every student in grades 9-12 at Ysleta ISD is attending an \u201cA\u201d-rated school \u2013 this is a first in our region,\u201d De La Torre said. He added the district earned a Postsecondary Readiness distinction designation for the third year in a row. \u201cIt supports our strong belief in having smaller high schools where we know our students by need and by name.\u201d<\/p>\n
Across the district, more than half of schools \u2014 53% \u2014 earned \u201cA\u201d ratings this year from TEA, according to Ysleta ISD. Nearly 90% of schools, or 42 campuses, earned either an \u201cA\u201d or \u201cB.\u201d<\/p>\n
The district\u2019s 25 \u201cA\u201d-rated schools are:<\/p>\n
Alicia Chacon ISBel Air HS Del Valle HSEastwood Heights ESEastwood HSEastwood Knolls ISEast Point ESEdgemere ISGlen Cove ESHanks HSLancaster ESLoma Terrace ESParkland HSParkland Pre-Engineering MSParkland ESPebble Hills ESPresa ESRamona STEM AcademyRiverside HSScotsdale ESTierra Del Sol ESVista Hills ESValle Verde Early College HSYoung Women\u2019s Leadership AcademyYsleta HS<\/p>\n
This story will be updated with other school districts in the El Paso area once ratings are officially released on Friday. <\/p>\n
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