More than half of the campuses recognized in the 2017 Schools Transforming Learning list of the Principal’s Institute are in Dallas-Fort Worth.

North Texas schools made up 10 of the 19 schools selected statewide on the list. 

The Northwest and Plano school districts each had two schools recognized, while individuals schools in McKinney, Coppell, Keller, Highland Park, Mesquite, and Lewisville were also named. Recognized schools were honored June 8 at the institute’s summer conference.

Here are the schools on the 2017 Schools Transforming Learning list:

• McKinney Boyd High School, McKinney ISD
• Coppell Middle School, Coppell ISD
• Hillwood Middle School, Keller ISD
• McCullough Intermediate School, Highland Park ISD
• Wilkinson Middle School, Mesquite ISD
• Megan Elementary School, Lewisville ISD
• Prairie View Elementary School, Northwest ISD
• Roanoke Elementary School, Northwest ISD
• Signer Elementary School, Plano ISD
• Skaggs Elementary School, Plano ISD

Nominated schools were selected based on their work to advance student learning, including evolving one of these categories: learning assessments, learning accountability, digital learning environments, organizational structure, or partnerships, according to the program’s website.

SCHOOLS HONORED FOR THEIR INNOVATIVE APPROACHES

Each of the schools was recognized for the innovative approaches that make their campus unique — places where student learning and involvement are encouraged.

In a video about her school, Roanoke Elementary Principal Kristi King emphasized the use of technology to assist students learn and understand concepts via iPads and interactive boards.

But what “makes us unique is our commitment to maintain a small-town family feel,” King said.

McKinney Boyd Principal Jennifer Peirson said in her video that the high school began a design center “where teachers gather to collaborate and design” educational lessons for the school’s 2,900 students.

“The ultimate goal is we want students to be more involved in their learning,” Peirson said.

“The ultimate goal is we want students to be more involved in their learning.”
Jennifer Peirson

In its sixth year, the Principal’s Institute was established to put in place the work of superintendents’ Visioning Institute and its product, Creating a New Vision for Public Education in Texas at the campus and classroom levels.

The Principal’s Institute helps educational leaders understand the need for transformation of public education, and to develop the knowledge and skills needed to lead and build sustainable transformation in the long term. The institute has 72 member school districts statewide.

A yearlong professional development series, the Principal’s Institute consists of six, two-day meetings that rotate between Dallas, Houston, and Austin. 

More than 300 principals have been nominated by their superintendents to attend, with 50 more principals joining the group each year.

This year’s list of designated schools was chosen by a committee composed of Principal’s Institute members who reviewed the nomination.

Dallas Innovates, every day