For the third consecutive year, Socorro Independent School District middle schools have achieved the highest scores on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Algebra I exam for the 2024–25 school year, earning top recognition through CREEED’s Algebra in Middle (AIM High) initiative.
This accomplishment not only represents a remarkable achievement in SISD's ongoing commitment to preparing students for success in college and future careers but also reinforces the district’s position as the highest-scoring school district in El Paso, with top scores in both the Texas Education Agency’s STAAR and End-of-Course (EOC) tests.
On Oct. 13, the Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development (CREEED) awarded $54,850 in gift cards to dedicated faculty and staff at five middle schools for their efforts in helping students achieve top scores at the MEETS level on the 2024-25 STAAR algebra I exam.
The schools recognized include Col. John O. Ensor Middle School: 86% passing rate; Montwood Middle School; 84% passing rate; SPC. Rafael Hernando III Middle School: 83% passing rate; Jane A. Hambric Middle School: 83% passing rate; and SSG. Manuel R. Puentes Middle School: 82% passing rate.
Superintendent James Vasquez thanked CREEED for its support in rewarding SISD teachers and staff for their hard work and achievements at a celebration at Pebble Hills High School.
“The achievement we are celebrating today – leading the way in Algebra I again – a three-peat! – demonstrates that we have incredibly skilled educators with a commitment to academic excellence like no one else in the region,” Vasquez said.
CREEED is a non-profit organization focused on increasing student achievement and college readiness in the region. It’s AIM High program aims to increase the number of El Paso County students who take and pass algebra I in middle school by recognizing and rewarding all the faculty and staff at the top performing schools in the region. CREEED has recognized SISD middle schools since 2023.
SISD has 100% of its eighth graders enrolled in algebra I. Research shows that students who pass algebra I in the eighth grade are more likely to enroll in advanced math courses and succeed in college. Additionally, this early exposure allows students to begin taking dual credit classes in high school, which further enhances their chances of success.
“What your middle schools have done is truly remarkable and ranked some of the highest achievements that have ever been made in this region,” said Manny Soto, CREEED director of analytics.
This is the third year that CREEED has recognized Col. John O. Ensor Middle School. In 2023, Ensor was the top-performing school, and last year they placed third. This year, the Eagles soared to the top again.
Jesus Espino, who has taught math for nine years and currently teaches algebra at Ensor, emphasized that CREEED's recognition is more about his students than about him and his fellow teachers.
He said most students would rather engage in extracurricular activities than learn math. However, once they understand the concepts, they begin to enjoy it.
“Sometimes it's just trying to get them to know that they can do math,” Espino said. “So sometimes that's why I tell kids, ‘I'm going to be your biggest cheerleader.’ My job is both to teach them math, and to have them believe that they can do math. And once they know they can do math, then the rest is pretty easy.”
Korina Bustamante was thrilled that Jane A. Hambric School was recognized for the first time this year. Bustamante, a math teacher for four years at the school, said she was proud to be part of a team that supports one another and is dedicated to helping their students succeed.
“Teaching the content is easy,” Bustamante said. It's just amazing to collaborate with your co-workers and to see how else they could teach algebra or just pick at everybody's brain is the best part of teaching.”