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Navarro Elementary School

The Heart of Geronimo

CAMPUS PROFILE

Distinctions

  • seal for texas purple star for supporting military families

    Geronimo, TX (September 19, 2024) – Navarro Independent School District (NISD) proudly announces that all four of its campuses have been awarded the esteemed Purple Star Designation by Governor Greg Abbott. This recognition acknowledges the district's unwavering commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families.

    The Purple Star designation is a program established by the Texas Legislature through Senate Bill 1557, with the goal of highlighting schools that go above and beyond to meet the unique needs of these students.

    “At Navarro ISD, we are deeply honored to receive the Purple Star designation for all campuses,” stated Mandy Epley, Superintendent of NISD. “Military families make tremendous sacrifices for our nation, and we are dedicated to ensuring their children feel welcomed, understood, and have every opportunity to excel in their education. We understand the unique challenges that come with military life, and we are honored to have the opportunity to serve these children and families.”

    Every Navarro ISD school met the Purple Star Designation criteria by having a dedicated military liaison who advocates for military-connected students, their families, and staff on military-related issues, a web page specifically for military families, and a transition program that fosters an environment of belonging and connection from day one. 

    The district has also implemented various initiatives to ensure the growing number of military families and students feel valued, understood, and have access to the resources they need to succeed. Elementary Principal Laurel Wilson said, “Collaboration with our military school liaison has been key to fostering a stronger connection between military families and schools. Ms. Amanda Lindsey works to ensure students receive resources, referrals, and peer support to ensure military students succeed and we are grateful for her dedication.”

    Wilson also highlighted that her campus looks forward to “purple out” day to raise awareness and show appreciation in celebration of Month of the Military Child, and giving special recognition to students of service members during Veterans Day ceremonies for their sacrifices as well.

    Governor Abbott’s announcement highlighted a significant increase in Purple Star designations this year, reflecting the growing awareness of the unique challenges faced by military-connected students. Navarro ISD is honored to join other Texas Purple Star campuses in this commitment to excellence for our military families.

    Support for Military Families

     
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    Geronimo, TX - June 26, 2024 – Navarro Independent School District is proud to announce Navarro Elementary’s inclusion on the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) 2023 Honor Roll. This distinguished recognition celebrates Navarro Elementary’s commitment to high academic achievement and improved student outcomes.

    This is the ninth year that ERP has completed the Honor Roll list. This year they recognized 835, approximately 12 percent of eligible Texas schools, of the top public schools, school districts and charter schools in Texas that have outperformed their peers in closing achievement gaps, particularly among higher-poverty and historically disadvantaged student populations. Results are based on data of student outcomes on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) from 2019 through 2023. 

    “We are thrilled to share the positive news that Navarro Elementary is recognized on the Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll list of top performing schools.” said Mandy Epley, Superintendent of Schools. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, educators, and staff members. It is also evidence of our strategic priorities to strengthen our professional learning communities at the elementary level and maximize student performance. We are proud to be the only elementary school in Guadalupe County to achieve this distinction this year. 


    The Texas Honor Roll is presented by the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence in collaboration with the Texas Business Leadership Council and other business leaders across the state. Click here to see the full list of Honor Roll schools and districts.

  • seal for national blue ribbon seal with eagle e pluribus unum

    Navarro Elementary School
    2021 National Blue Ribbon School Profile

    Navarro Elementary (Geronimo, Texas) has been named a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. 

    The designation was announced yesterday by U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona. Out of all the schools in the United States, 325 schools were recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021. Only 26 schools in Texas were awarded. 

    The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes outstanding public and non-public schools, according to the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program website. The program celebrates school excellence, school transformation, and the elimination of achievement gaps between student subgroups. 

     Navarro Elementary Principal, Laurel Wilson, says that “The success of Navarro Elementary comes from a combination of long-lasting relationships, knowing student backgrounds, and prescriptive instruction to meet individual needs. The positive language shared across the campus sets the tone for crucial conversations, modeling behavior, and high expectations”.

    Superintendent Wendi Russell called the award the “most prestigious academic honor a school can receive.” Being named a National Blue Ribbon School is not about one grade level or state test. It takes all staff to set high expectations, ensure that all students have a strong foundation in Reading and Math and to build relationships with parents and community members. 

     “A National Blue Ribbon title speaks volumes about all our staff, students, and parents at Navarro ISD,” she said.

     National Blue Ribbon Schools are on education’s cutting edge, pioneering innovative educational practices from professional learning communities and project-based learning to social and emotional learning and positive behavior systems. Schools are nominated by the state department of education and then complete a comprehensive application about school practices. 

     “It was really exciting for me to get a phone call from the Texas Education Agency last spring,” Russell said.

    Schools may be nominated as Exemplary High Performing — among the top schools in a state — or Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing — schools making the fastest progress in their state in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Navarro Elementary was nominated as Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing.

    “This year’s cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish,” Cardona said in a release.

    When asked what makes Navarro Elementary stand out, Mrs. Wilson said “Faculty and staff members spent considerable time reflecting on the district vision and how that translates into the campus vision and the school’s actions. Staff identified multiple areas of success, while developing plans for continued improvement. Regardless of the role of the staff member, a unified strength was identified above all others for the campus. Strong relationships are what set Navarro Elementary apart from any other school. Teachers and staff provided endless examples of moments where they had supported one another during a difficult time or where staff had gone above and beyond to form a close relationship with a challenging student to help them be more successful. Low teacher turnover on the campus results in teachers who have a long-lasting history with local families and the community. There is often an outside connection that links teachers and families together because of the longevity of the relationships that have been formed over the years. These extended personal connections, as well as frequent teacher check-ins, help establish trust and reliability beyond the school walls. Students who come to Navarro Elementary become part of the fold. Student success becomes a collective goal that each of the staff members strives to achieve. While the impact of COVID has temporarily changed the look of school, the importance of reaching the whole child has not changed. When students walk into the front doors of the school, they can feel assured that every adult on campus has their individual needs and interests at heart, and that a pandemic will not get in the way of their success. This feeling, that many students and families cannot articulate or describe with words, is part of the Navarro tradition, and a key factor to the success and continued growth of the school”. 

    School officials will represent Navarro Elementary at a two-day awards ceremony on Nov. 4-5 in Washington, D.C., where they will hear from other esteemed educators, share best practices with each other and celebrate their hard-won achievements. There, they will receive a plaque and flag to signify its exemplary status. 

Alma Mater

ALMA MATER


We pledge our loyalty and our love,
We pledge it strong and bold.
Navarro is a part of us ---
The purple and the gold.
The memories that we hold so dear,
Though far will keep us near.
So join your voices in a song
To Navarro High we belong.

 

FIGHT SONG


Hooray for the Purple and Gold
May they be our true colors forever
For we have a team and coach
For this victory we approach.
We all have to fight for this win
May our friends be with us and support us
So we will come out on the top
So let’s all fight
So let’s all fight
For dear Navarro. 

Purple N with gold outline district logo