Nine campuses in the Socorro Independent School District have been recognized as top-performing schools by Children at Risk in their 2024-25 Texas School Rankings, highlighting the district's commitment to excellence in education.
Children at Risk is a leading nonprofit research and advocacy organization dedicated to improving child well-being. This year’s rankings highlight schools that excel in student achievement, growth and college readiness, with special emphasis on Gold Ribbon Schools that go above and beyond in supporting low-income students.
Montwood Middle School and Mission Early College High School were named the West Texas area's top middle school and high school, respectively, reaffirming the dedication of the district's educators to helping students reach their full potential.
Dr. Melissa Saenz, principal of Montwood Middle School, lauded the school’s teachers and students during a virtual press conference on Nov. 10 hosted by Children at Risk to announce the rankings.
“Thank you to Children at Risk for this recognition, and also for recognizing all of the amazing work that’s been done throughout Texas with educators and administrators,” Saenz said. “We are super excited to be a part of this recognition. At Montwood Middle School, we believe that students have endless opportunities, and that’s just not our school, it’s actually in the Socorro Independent School District, so it takes a team to make these things happen.”
SISD Gold Ribbon Schools include Campestre Elementary School, ranked ninth among middle schools, and Salvador H. Sanchez Middle School, ranked sixth among middle schools.
Aside from Montwood Middle School, Spc. Rafael Hernando III Middle School, Eastlake Middle School, Col. John O. Ensor Middle School and SSG Manuel R. Puentes Middle School were also ranked among the top five middle schools in the area. Additionally, Sgt. Roberto Ituarte Elementary School was ranked fifth among elementary schools in the area.
"We are proud of the nine campuses recognized by Children at Risk in this year's Texas School Rankings,” said SISD Superintendent James Vasquez. “This honor validates the dedication of our educators, staff and students. In SISD, we believe every child deserves a quality education to achieve success.”
The 2024-2025 school year analysis covers 208 public schools in West Texas, including 125 elementary schools, 46 middle schools and 37 high schools ranked across three main areas: student achievement, campus performance, and student growth, with high schools also evaluated on college readiness.