District News

WACO, TX (September 30, 2024)--Waco ISD is collaborating with the Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation to open an Early Head Start Center to serve the children of Waco ISD students. The facility is housed on the former Brazos High School campus and is a unique program that Waco ISD Superintendent Dr. Susan Kincannon envisions serving teen parents and helping them stay enrolled in school.

 

“Waco ISD has seen its graduation rate go up and its dropout rate go down by providing support to students through programs such as night school and Saturday classes,” Kincannon said. “The Brazos EOAC Early Head Start Center is another way that we are supporting students so that they are able to obtain a high school diploma and create a better future for their families.”

 

The Brazos EOAC Early Head Start Center will serve up to twenty-four children from ages six weeks to 36 months and an additional six expectant families. Six infant/toddler teachers with no less than an infant-toddler Child Development Associate credential and one Child and Family Advocate/Site Manager will be employed. The child-to-staff ratio is 4:1, with a maximum group size of eight children per classroom.

 

Services will be provided at no cost to Waco ISD students. The program includes vision, hearing, and development screenings to identify any need for early intervention services. Teachers individualize curriculum planning that enables children to advance at their own pace. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, infant formula, and diapers are included while the child is in attendance.

 

Head Start services will be provided to students throughout the calendar year including summer break when students are not in school, allowing them to work and earn money for their families. The summer program may convert to home-based services if deemed necessary by the EOAC. EOAC will assist enrolled families with accessing funds needed for extended care. Once students graduate from Waco ISD, the children may remain enrolled in the center until 36 months of age at which time the children are age-eligible to enroll in pre-kindergarten.

 

EOAC Executive Director James R. Jesse said this partnership between EOAC and Waco ISD is “truly transformative” for the community.

 

“Not only will the Brazos EOAC Early Head Start Center provide crucial care and education for the children of Waco ISD students, but it will also serve as a critical support system for young parents, helping them to stay enrolled in school and complete their education,” Jesse said. “By providing these services, we are not only ensuring better outcomes for children but also empowering families to achieve long-term stability and success. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to uplifting the entire community through education and comprehensive support services.”

 

 

Waco ISD rents the former Brazos High School to EOAC at no cost. Waco ISD will continue to maintain the exterior of the building along with electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and pay for utility services. Costs to establish the Center which were funded by EOAC through federal funds were about $60,000 and will be used mainly for ongoing expenses for supplies and staffing.

 

The center passed the Child Care Licensing inspection in mid-August and currently awaits receipt of the Child Care License. An opening date of October 1 is anticipated.

 

The Brazos Early Head Start program builds on the district’s current partnership with EOAC, where the two entities already collaborate on Jumpstart classrooms at specific campuses to ensure that students are meeting grade level academic requirements prior to the start of the school year.

Waco ISD celebrates the its newest school in the district as a result of voters in Waco ISD jurisdiction passing the $355 million in bonds on November 2, 2021 to replace Waco High School, Tennyson Middle School, Kendrick Elementary School, and G.W. Carver Middle School The passage of the bond also allows for extensive renovations at South Waco Elementary School. 

Event will include WISD Superintendent Dr. Susan Kincannon, Tennyson Principal Bradford McMillan, WISD trustees and student speakers, and performances by the Tennyson Texas Band, Tennyson Middle School Choir, and more. 

The original Tennyson Middle School was built in 1961 as Tennyson Junior High to relieve overcrowding at Lake Air Junior High. It was the first junior high in Waco to have central heating and air conditioning. Approximately one-third of the 950 students used portable buildings due to the small size of the original school.  

WACO, TX (September 12, 2024)--The Waco Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name Dr. Tiffany Spicer as its lone finalist for superintendent. 

“As a hands-on leader who is comfortable working at the ground level, fostering collaboration and driving continued excellence in all areas of education, she has the ability to drive the district to achievement levels we haven’t seen in decades,” WISD Trustee Keith Guillory said. “Dr. Spicer has the experience and innovative leadership qualities that our schools and community deserve.”

Spicer has served more than two decades in education with 17 of those years in administrative positions. Currently the superintendent of schools in Buna ISD, Spicer's leadership experience includes fast-growth districts, large suburban districts, and rural districts, going through both change and transition. Spicer has served districts ranging from 1,500 students to 40,000 students and has a measured track record of success in serving all student populations. 

“As a servant leader, I am passionately excited about the opportunity for continuous improvement and providing support to ensure excellence, equity, and access for all students in Waco ISD,” Spicer said. “I am committed to collaborative leadership with the staff, district, community, board of trustees, and other major stakeholders under the umbrella of transparency, cooperation, and mutual trust.” 

By law, the Board must now wait 21 days before voting to hire Spicer to be the new superintendent for the district. Spicer is slated to replace retiring superintendent, Dr. Susan Kincannon who has led the district since 2019.

Waco ISD School Board President Stephanie Korteweg said she is looking forward to seeing the good work Dr. Spicer will accomplish in the district. 

“Building on our current successes, I’m confident she will not only continue those successes, but ensure we continue the upward trajectory,” Korteweg said. 

In June, the Waco ISD Board of Trustees hired Texas Association of School Boards Executive Search Services to direct the search for the district’s new superintendent. Four community input sessions to discuss leadership qualities of the new superintendent were held in addition to the community’s opportunity to provide feedback through an online questionnaire. The profile developed from this input was integral in the evaluation by the WISD Board of Trustees of the 51 applicants.

WISD Trustee Angelo Ochoa said Spicer’s ability to relate to people in addition to her track record of success in both large and small districts made her the clear choice for superintendent. 

“She is an extremely knowledgeable, results driven superintendent, who supports teachers and puts what’s best for students at the heart of all her decisions. We are looking forward to supporting her through all of Waco ISD’s continued success.”    

The Board selected six applicants for initial interviews with four applicants invited for a second interview. With the second round of interviews completed, a committee of the Board visited Spicer’s current district and reported back to the Board earlier this week. 

“Three of us were able to travel to Dr. Spicer’s current district to interview parents, board members, community leaders, administrators, and business leaders. I wasn’t surprised by their consistent high praise of Dr Spicer,” WISD Trustee Jonathan Grant said. “I was moved, however, by the tears that welled up in their eyes as they shared the love they have for her, the tremendous work she has done, the pride they have to be able to call her one of their own. We are getting an all-star. I can’t wait for our community to meet her.”

The WISD Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote on October 4 to offer a contract to Spicer.

“Dr. Spicer has administrative experience in both very large and small districts. She is an incredible selection after a large superintendent search that yielded many quality choices. Dr. Spicer is an exciting and dynamic leader,” Trustee Jim Patton said.

WACO, TX (September 11, 2024) Standardized tests can be challenging for many high school students. However, both Waco High and University High School students earned national recognition for their scores on the PSAT, a preliminary exam for the SAT, a college entrance exam. 

 

"Waco ISD has extraordinary students and it is gratifying when they are nationally recognized for their accomplishments," WISD Advanced Academics Director Paula Miller said. "The students that received College Board National Recognition have proven they are academically exceptional in comparison to other students across our nation, so we definitely celebrate them for their effort and hard work." 

 

Forty-five Waco ISD students earned College Board national awards in the categories of the National African American Recognition Program, National Hispanic Recognition Program, National Indigenous Recognition Program, and First-Generation College Program and will be honored at the September 19 school board meeting. They are also included in the Waco ISD Superintendent Scholars program for top performers on the PSAT who have scored in the top five, 10 and 15 percent nationally on the most recent administration of the test. The purpose of the program is to create a culture of excellence in academic achievement.  

 

The school district credits part of these exemplary test scores to having students get comfortable with the PSAT starting in eighth grade and quality, equitable preparation from their classroom teachers.   

 

"Waco ISD’s number of students who earned College Board national awards has nearly doubled this year as compared to last year and more than quadrupled over the last three years,” Superintendent Dr. Susan Kincannon said. “Our intentional efforts to support our top achievers and increase the number of students scoring at the highest levels on national exams are producing great results for our students. These nationally recognized students have the opportunity to access admissions and scholarships to some of the best universities in the country. I am proud of them for their commitment to high achievement and extremely grateful to our teachers who prepared them for these challenging exams.” 

 

The PSAT is 2 hours and 45 minutes long and tests students’ skills in reading, writing, and math. To earn one of the College Board National Recognitions, a student must meet the following criteria,

• GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessment scores that are within the top 10 percent of assessment takers in each state for each award program or earned a score of 3 or higher on 2 or more AP Exams in 9th and 10th grade.
• Identify as African American/Black, Hispanic American/Latino, or Indigenous/Native, First-Generation college student, or attend school in a rural area or small town.

In addition to honoring the students’ accomplishments, the program also helps create additional pathways to college. Students may include the award on college and scholarship applications, and colleges around the country use the list of College Board honorees to identify high-potential students from underrepresented groups and communities. 

 

“It’s becoming increasingly hard for students to be ‘seen’ during the college recruitment process. We’re exceptionally proud of the National Recognition Programs for celebrating students who are at times overlooked but have shown their outstanding academic abilities,” said Tarlin Ray, senior vice president of BigFuture® at College Board. “This is a benefit not only for students but also for colleges and universities committed to recruiting diverse and talented students.” 

Waco, TX (September 6, 2024) -- Historically, only 10 percent of high school students in the nation earn the designation of AP Scholar each year from the College Board in recognition of high achievement on college-level Advanced Placement exams. In the 2023-2024 school year, 33 Waco ISD high school students earned the prestigious honor.

The AP program offers students the opportunity to take college-level courses while still in high school and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both, for their successful performance on the AP exams.

The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on the number of year-long courses and exams or their equivalent semester-long courses and exams.

“We’re proud of our students who challenge themselves by taking AP courses and exams,” Superintendent Dr. Susan Kincannon said. “We’re also proud of our AP teachers whose dedication and commitment to these students has led to the highest number of AP scholar awards we have had.”

Nine students received the AP Scholar with Distinction award, including Waco High School senior Anabeth Carlson, for earning an average of 3.5 on all AP exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.   

“On my first test (as a sophomore), I struggled. But, I studied hard for them and my teachers really provided me with support. That combination helped me to excel,” said Carlson, who earned AP Scholar status last year. “I aim to be successful later in life. Having this base of advanced placement courses in high school will help me in college because of their rigor.”

Six students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. 

University High School senior Osmar Cazares Guillen began taking AP classes his freshman year and was fully immersed in the AP program in his junior year. He earned AP Scholar with Honors status, qualifying in four classes including AP Human Geography, AP Chemistry, AP Statistics, and AP African American Studies.

“The AP tests were challenging. But with practice and preparation, it became significantly easier,” Guillen said. “AP classes help me prepare for the rigor of college coursework, teaching me the importance of consistent effort, effective study habits, and time management. Taking AP classes has also helped me become proficient and excel in introductory-level college courses, giving me a strong foundation for my future academic endeavors.”

In addition, 18 students qualified for the AP Scholar award by completing three or more AP exams with grades of 3 or higher.

The AP Scholar designation appears on AP score reports students send to colleges and universities. Plus, students may list the award on college applications and resumes to give them an edge over competing applicants.