Caraway Elementary Named an ACE Demonstration School, Launches Model in Fall 2025

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Aldine ISD has announced that Caraway Elementary School will become an Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) Demonstration School beginning in the 2025–2026 school year. This will make it the district’s third campus to implement the high-impact school turnaround model.

“The ACE model has proven successful at Goodman Elementary and Worsham Elementary, which were the first to implement the model and are now both high-performing campuses,” said Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. “By executing the ACE model with fidelity, we transform how we serve our students. This bold action dramatically improves student outcomes, and we expect to see the same at Caraway Elementary.”

Why Caraway?

Caraway Elementary was chosen to adopt the ACE model due to a range of significant challenges, including low academic achievement, high mobility rates, chronic absenteeism, and numerous discipline referrals. The campus has struggled to meet state academic standards for several years. Caraway serves a student population where 97% are economically disadvantaged and 54% are emergent bilingual learners.

Dr. Adrian Bustillos, Chief Transformation Officer, proposed a comprehensive three-year ‘restart’ at Caraway through the ACE model. This plan includes enhanced support for current students and staff, a focus on robust academic outcomes, and the placement of highly effective educators.

“Third grade is a critical year,” Bustillos explained. “It’s when students transition from recognizing symbols on a page to applying decoding skills and understanding literary elements. Currently, many of our students at Caraway struggle with those skills. We cannot accept that as the best we can do.”

He added that Goodman and Worsham Elementary improved significantly under the ACE model, earning high state ratings within two years and showing greater academic growth post-pandemic than the district overall.

“This is about structural change to achieve the best outcomes for all students on the Caraway campus,” said Bustillos. “We’re building on a successful framework and applying what we’ve learned to ensure Caraway’s success.”

What Families Can Expect

Caraway Elementary, which will have 180 school days, will begin the 2025–2026 school year with a new leadership team and highly effective teachers and staff. The district will provide extensive professional development and support for all personnel.

Before the school year begins, families will be invited to informational sessions to learn more about the ACE model and what to expect. In the fall semester, students will be sorted into four “houses” — a system designed to build friendships, foster connections across grade levels, and create a family-like campus culture. The goal is to help students feel part of a smaller school community and develop a sense of pride and belonging, fostering their personal growth and development.

Families will also be engaged through various events and opportunities throughout the year, focusing on partnership and shared responsibility in supporting each child’s success.

About the ACE Model

The ACE model is a nationally recognized school turnaround strategy developed initially by Dallas ISD and adopted by several other Texas districts, including Fort Worth, Garland, and Richardson ISDs. It is designed to bring top educators to schools with the highest needs, and it centers on five key pillars:

ACE Model Pillars

• • Effective Principals and Teachers
    Top-performing teachers and leaders are selected based on classroom performance and student achievement data.
  • Instructional Excellence (+3 summer PD days)
    Educators receive ongoing high-quality professional development and instructional coaching to ensure strong teaching practices every day.
  • Extended School Day (+1 hour daily)
    Students receive an additional hour of learning daily. After-school enrichment activities continue until 6:00 p.m., and dinner is provided at no cost.
  • Social and Emotional Support
    Both students and staff benefit from targeted programs and resources to support their social and emotional well-being.
  • Parent and Community Partnerships
    Families are welcomed as partners in their children’s education, with schools intentionally working to build relationships and increase engagement.

ACE Educators

In addition to support and development, the ACE model includes financial incentives to attract and retain the best educators. Aldine ISD’s base teacher salary is currently $64,000. With the annual ACE stipend of $10,000 and the Teacher Incentive Allotment at the master level, ACE teachers may earn up to $107,156 per year.

Proven Results

Aldine ISD launched the ACE model in 2019 at Goodman and Worsham elementary schools. While the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges, both campuses eventually surpassed district averages in student performance. They were among the least affected by pandemic-related learning loss.

ACE Demonstration Schools transform the individual campuses they serve and serve as proof points for what is possible when schools are staffed and supported effectively.

Dr. Goffney emphasized that the ACE model’s success goes beyond the numbers.

“The real measure of progress isn’t just the test scores,” Goffney said. “When I visit Goodman and Worsham, I see the difference. I hear it in the conversations with teachers, leaders, and students. They are making an impact daily through small and bold actions.

“I’m grateful for their dedication, especially for our students, and can’t wait to see those same outcomes at Caraway Elementary,” Goffney added. “ACE Demonstration Schools show that every student, regardless of background, can succeed.”

For more information, visit ace.aldineisd.org.