SISD is one of three in nation, first in West Texas to earn the NCSE-D certification signifying robust systems, structures that support STEM education for all students
The Socorro Independent School District is the most recent district in the country to earn the National Certificate for STEM Excellence - District (NCSE-D) STEM certificate from the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE). The NCSE-D recognizes districts for their commitment to continually improving districtwide systems and structures that support STEM educators and their students.
The district is the first in West Texas and one of only three in Texas and in the nation to earn the district STEM certification. Obtaining a district STEM certification signifies a district’s strong commitment to excellence and innovation in STEM education. It reflects that the district has met rigorous standards in integrating STEM into its curriculum and culture.
“We are extremely honored to earn the national STEM certification, which validates the hard work and dedication among our faculty, staff and administrators to ensure that our students are receiving meaningful instruction and hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and math,” said Socorro ISD Interim Superintendent James Vasquez. “Our highly qualified teachers, campus and district leaders are achieving outstanding results integrating STEM instruction across all areas of student learning.”
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, NISE was conceived by seasoned, practicing educators and is based on thousands of hours of research, professional development, curriculum design, and educational leadership. Using an online platform and supported by a dedicated NISE STEM leadership coach, educators and district leaders work together to refine district operations and instruction to further strengthen STEM practices and the district’s overall STEM culture.
As part of earning the NCSE - District Certification, along with over two years of sustained visioning, planning, and implementing STEM education system, three campuses also earned the NCSE - Campus Certification, and 97 teachers and administrators earned the National Certificate for STEM Teaching (NCST), further contributing to the district’s collective STEM expertise. Escontrias STEAM Academy was the first school in West Texas to earn the National Certificate for STEM Excellence – Campus Certification in July 2023. Sierra Vista STEAM Academy earned the certification in August 2024 and Montwood High School earned the certification in January 2025.
“I commend the district academics team and our STEM-certified schools who worked diligently to make this national certification a reality for our students and district,” Vasquez said. “It demonstrates that SISD is a leader in STEM education dedicated to providing students the knowledge, skills and resources to excel in our competitive, science and technology-based society.”
The SISD STEM district certification process started on Aug. 15, 2022, with the focus on improving district wide systems and structures that support STEM education for all students. The process was guided and facilitated by Dr. Beth Pesnell, a leadership coach and project specialist at the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE). The process was officially completed on April 13, 2025, with an action plan for the sustainability of high-quality instruction for all students and support for teachers to continue STEM instruction.