LP Insider - September 2026

2026-27 LA PORTE ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Jeff Martin President

Stay in the know! Visit LPISD.org and connect with us on socials for the latest news and events happening in La Porte ISD.

This publication is produced by the LPISD Communications Department.

Danny Hanks Trustee

Melissa Crutcher Vice President

Russell Schoppe Trustee

Mason Peres Secretary

Dee Anne Thomson Trustee

Dr. Walter Jackson Superintendent of Schools

Karen Wheeler-Hall Trustee

A MESSAGE FROM

DR. JACKSON Dear La Porte Community, We are now a few weeks into the new school year, and I am pleased to share that we are off to a wonderful start! Our campuses are filled with energy, enthusiasm, and excitement for learning. It has been a joy to see our students settling into routines, reconnecting with friends and teachers, and embracing the opportunities a new school year brings.

What makes this beginning even more special is the wonderful news of our outstanding accountability ratings. These results are a tremendous source of pride and reflect the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our entire school community. While an accountability rating is only one measure of success, it represents the daily work taking place in our classrooms, the high expectations of our educators, the support of our families, and our shared commitment to helping every student succeed.

I want to extend my sincere appreciation to our outstanding staff.

Our teachers, administrators, support professionals, and everyone working behind the scenes come to school each day with a shared purpose: providing our students with an exceptional educational experience.

Their passion, commitment, and dedication to continuous growth are

at the heart of our success. These accomplishments belong to them, and we are incredibly grateful.

and challenges, and we remain focused on continuous improvement.

Our goal is not simply to achieve outstanding results, but to create an exceptional culture of learning where every student feels valued, supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential.

I also want to thank our parents and families. Your partnership makes an immeasurable difference. From supporting learning at home and encouraging your children to do their best, to attending school events These first weeks of school have and communicating with our staff, reminded me once again of what your involvement strengthens our makes our district so special: people schools. When schools and families who care deeply about children and work together, our students benefit in work together to make a difference. countless ways.

I am excited about what this school year holds and look forward to Our Board of Trustees also deserves celebrating many more successes our appreciation for its continued with you. leadership, vision, and support.

Its commitment to providing our Thank you for your continued trust, students and staff with the resources partnership, and support. Together, and opportunities they need is an we are building on our successes, important part of building a strong creating new opportunities for our school district. students, and making our schools places where excellence in learning Finally, thank you to our community. and a strong sense of community go A great school district is built through hand in hand. strong partnerships, and we are fortunate to have a community that Here’s to a fantastic school year believes in our students and schools. ahead!

Your encouragement, involvement, and support help us create an With La Porte pride, environment where students can learn, grow, and discover their potential.

Walter Jackson, Ed.D. As proud as we are of our Superintendent of Schools accountability ratings, we know our work does not stop here. Every school year brings new opportunities

SEPTEMBER 2026What’s Coming Up! Monday

7

LABOR DAY HOLIDAY

Tuesday

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Wednesday

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Thursday

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Friday

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LPISD BOARD MEETING

NO SCHOOL

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26 LEPC

HEALTH & SAFETY FAIR @ LA PORTE HIGH SCHOOL

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Varsity Home Game WATER POLO

lpisd athletics website

FOOTBALL

VOLLEYBALL

Varsity Away Game

Visit the QR codes or lpisd.org

for more information on specific event details

lpisd events calendar

LEADING THE WAY

La Porte High School earns national recognition after being named TEA “A” Campus La Porte High School has been recognized in the 2026–27 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings, marking another achievement for La Porte Independent School District students, educators and families. The recognition adds to a growing list of accomplishments for La Porte ISD and reflects the district’s continued commitment to academic excellence and student success.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently recognized La Porte High School as an “A” campus, further demonstrating the school’s strong academic performance and continued progress. The TEA designation, combined with the school’s inclusion in the U.S. News rankings, highlights the dedication of La Porte High School students, educators and families to achieving strong academic outcomes and preparing students for success beyond graduation.

The annual U.S. News & World Report rankings evaluate public high schools across the nation using multiple measures of academic performance and college readiness. For the 2026–27 rankings, U.S. News evaluated nearly 18,000 eligible public high schools nationwide.

The methodology considers factors including college readiness, curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency and performance among under-served students, and graduation rates.

La Porte High School’s inclusion in the national rankings reflects the continued dedication of students and staff to academic achievement, college and career preparation, and opportunities for students to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. The recognition, along with the school’s recent “A” campus designation from TEA, underscores the strength of the school community and its focus on providing students with meaningful opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.

La Porte High School serves students in grades 9–12 and offers a broad range of academic, career and technical education, fine arts, athletics and extracurricular opportunities designed to prepare students for college, careers and life beyond graduation.

Importantly, families do not have to live within La Porte ISD boundaries to attend La Porte High School. As an openenrollment district, La Porte ISD welcomes families from outside the district to apply for enrollment, subject to district requirements and available capacity. This provides families throughout the region with the opportunity to choose La Porte High School and become part of a school community earning recognition at both the state and national levels.

The 2026–27 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings provide families with data intended to help them evaluate educational opportunities and identify schools demonstrating strong academic outcomes. La Porte ISD is proud to offer families the opportunity to choose La Porte High School and be part of a district committed to ensuring that students are known, seen and supported throughout their educational journey.

LA PORTE ISD

2026 ACCOUNTABILITY RATINGS

OVERALL

ACCOUNTABILITY SCORE

Rating!

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T OF

HE

Rating!

L I ONS

RO AD

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT High performance and growth for all students!

ACADEMIC DISTINCTIONS! READING/ LANGUAGE ARTS MATHEMATICS SCIENCE TOP 25%: COMPARATIVE ACADEMIC GROWTH POSTSECONDARY READINESS TOP 25%: COMPARATIVE CLOSING THE GAPS

Rating!

Rating!

Rating!

TARY EN EM

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ER S NN

ELEMENTARY

ELEMENTARY

ELEMENTARY ELEMENTARY

84

Rating!

RIZZUTO EL

Rating!

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HOME O F

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THE LEO OF

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UGARS CO

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O CKET S

Overall Score

OUR STUDENTS ARE MAKING WAVES THANKS TO OUR AMAZING STAFF, STUDENTS & FAMILIES!

87

SCHOOL PROGRESS

Year-to-year growth compared to similar districts and campuses

87

RELATIVE PERFORMANCE Outstanding performance compared to similar schools across the state

HO ME

O

F

SIXTH GRADE

98% 91%

GRADUATION RATE

Our students are successful and graduate!

OF STUDENTS MEETING CCMR College, Career and Military Readiness

31 STATE DISTINCTIONS EARNED

BY LPISD CAMPUSES! TEA recognition for campuses that stand out among similar schools in student performance, year-to-year growth, and closing achievement gaps.

LEADING IN FINANCE

La Porte ISD earns state’s highest fiscal accountability rating La Porte Independent School District has received its 24th consecutive “A” rating for “Superior Achievement” under Texas’ School FIRST financial accountability rating system.

The rating is the state’s highest, demonstrating the quality of La Porte ISD’s financial management and reporting system. The district (preliminarily) scored a total of 94 out of 100. The final FIRST score will be given by the Texas Education Agency in October.

This is the 24th year of School FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas), a financial accountability system for Texas school districts developed by the Texas Education Agency in response to Senate Bill 875 of the 76th Texas Legislature in 1999 and amendments under House Bill 5, 83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2013.

The primary goal of School FIRST is to achieve quality performance in the management of school districts’ financial resources, a goal made more significant due to the complexity of accounting associated with Texas’ school finance system.

FOCUS ON STEM

La Porte ISD receives $15,000 STEM grant from Glenn W. Bailey Foundation La Porte ISD’s STEM Program has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation through its STEM Sprouts initiative, supporting the district’s commitment to providing innovative, hands-on STEM learning experiences for elementary and sixth-grade students.

The grant recognizes LPISD’s dedication to engaging students in authentic science, technology, engineering, and mathematics experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving. Funding will be used to expand STEM resources, makerspace materials, engineering design challenges, and hands-on learning opportunities that inspire the next generation of innovators.

“We are grateful to the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation for investing in our students and STEM vision,” said Michael Newman, La Porte ISD’s Elementary STEM & Advanced Academics Specialist. “This grant will expand hands-on learning opportunities that inspire students to explore, create, collaborate, and build critical thinking skills for the future.”

The Glenn W. Bailey Foundation’s STEM Sprouts program supports organizations that provide meaningful STEM education for students in grades K–8 through engaging, inquiry-based experiences and high-quality instructional resources. LPISD is honored to be selected as a grant recipient and looks forward to continuing to grow innovative learning opportunities that prepare students with the skills needed for success in the future.

DID YOU KNOW...

That La Porte ISD’s Board of Trustees recently called for a Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE)?

Learn more about what it means at lpisd.org/VATRE

School Funding Election 2026

Voting will be held on November 3, 2026

Sadie Sandoval

Principal Bayshore Elementary School For Sadie Sandoval, leadership is rooted in learning, growing and investing in the community that helped shape her. A proud La Porte ISD graduate and member of the district’s Aspiring Leadership Academy Cohort 1, Sandoval has continued that journey from aspiring leader to serving as the proud principal of Bayshore Elementary.

While earning her principal certification through Lamar University, Sandoval participated in an executive mentorship program that paired her with a district administrator, giving her firsthand insight into district leadership, strategic decisionmaking, and collaboration. The experience broadened her perspective and strengthened her understanding of effective district leadership.

“As a La Porte graduate, I believe strongly in growing our own,” Sandoval said. “I wanted to learn from the leaders who know our district, our community, and our students best.”

Those experiences continue to influence her work as a principal. Through the academy and mentorship, Sandoval developed a broader understanding of areas such as Human Resources and Curriculum and Instruction, knowledge she now brings to her leadership at Bayshore Elementary. Just as importantly, the program connected her with a network of fellow leaders, many of whom she now has the opportunity to work alongside.

For Sandoval, reaching the principalship is not the end of her leadership journey. She is already looking toward her next chapter, with plans to pursue a doctorate and superintendent certification and hopes of beginning that work at Texas Tech within the next year.

“We encourage our students to be lifelong learners, and I believe it is important that I model that same mindset,” Sandoval said. “Becoming a principal is an exciting milestone, but I never want to stop learning and growing as a leader.”

From growing her leadership skills within La Porte ISD to leading a campus of her own, Sandoval embodies the spirit of LP Leaders on the Rise—leaders who continue to learn, serve and prepare for what comes next.

The Aspiring Leadership Academy is cultivating the future of leadership in La Porte ISD by identifying and developing talented educators who are ready to lead. Through a yearlong experience of mentorship, professional learning, hands-on projects, and collaboration with district leaders, participants build the skills, confidence, and understanding needed to become effective leaders within the La Porte ISD community. This is the sixth year of the program.

2026-2027

INSTRUCTIONAL CALENDAR UPDATED 8/4/26

July

4 .............................................. 4th of July Holiday 29-31........................ New Professionals Inservice

August

4-11 ........................... Professional Learning Days

12 ............................................ Freshman First Day 13 ............................................ First Day of School

September

7 .............................................. Labor Day Holiday

21........ Professional Learning Day (No Students)

July 2026 S

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October

12 ............ Teacher Exchange Day (No Students) 13-16 ...................................................... Fall Break

November

2-3 .......Professional Learning Day (No Students)

October 2026 S

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Parent Conferences - Elementary

23-27 .................................... Thanksgiving Break

December

18 ................................................... Early Dismissal 21-31 ................................................. Winter Break

January

1 ........................................................ Winter Break

November 2026

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4 ........ Instructional Planning Day (No Students)

5 ........ Professional Learning Day (No Students) 18 ................................................. MLK Jr. Holiday

January 2027

February

12 ....... Professional Learning Day (No Students)

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8-12 .................................................. Spring Break 26 ......................................... Good Friday Holiday

April

27 .................. Last Day of School/Early Dismissal DeWalt Academy Graduation

28 ............................... Instructional Planning Day

April 2027

LPHS Graduation

31 .................................................... Memorial Day

Instructional Days

Total Number of Student Days: 169

Total Number of Teacher Days: 185 2 exchange days First Semester = 77.5 days Second Semester = 91.5 days

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High Schools

7:00 a.m. .........................First Bell 7:10 a.m. .........................Tardy Bell 2:35 p.m. .........................School Day Ends 10:45 a.m. .......................Early Dismissal Days

Junior Highs / James H. Baker

8:25 a.m. ........................First Bell 8:30 a.m. ........................Tardy Bell 4:00 p.m. ........................School Day Ends 12:10 p.m. ......................Early Dismissal Days

Freshman 1st Day

First / Last Day of School

Holiday

Start / Stop Grading Period

Professional Learning (No Students)

Report Card

PR1

Elementary Schools

7:40 a.m. ........................First Bell 7:50 a.m. ........................Tardy Bell 3:15 p.m. ........................School Day Ends 11:25 a.m. ......................Early Dismissal Days

Instructional Planning Day (No Students)

Teacher Exchange Days (No Students)

Inclement Weather Make-up Day

Student Early Dismissal

New Teacher Orientation

Progress Report

Every Student’s Success is Our Number One Priority!

Created by LPISD Communications Board Approved 01/13/26