Through specialized programs at Candlewood STEM Academy and Kirby STEM Academy, students are engaging in hands-on learning that goes beyond traditional classroom instruction.
“Our teachers are head over heels in love with the high-quality instructional materials that we're using, and the progress that our students have shown is out of this world,” Candlewood STEM Academy principal Rachelle Diaz said.
Candlewood’s focus on environmental literacy includes a vibrant outdoor classroom with 10 garden beds, 11 fruit trees, pollinator gardens, composting areas and a chicken coop. Through a partnership with Gardopia Gardens, students regularly engage in gardening activities tied to their curriculum.
“We’re essentially making an outdoor classroom,” Diaz said.
Students not only understand the technical aspects of planting and composting, Diaz said they take pride in their garden and share their knowledge with families during campus events.
Just a few miles away, Kirby STEM Academy is focused on broadening students’ exposure to STEM careers and skills. Students there are learning to collaborate, think critically and tackle academic challenges through inquiry-based instruction.
“Our focus is introducing them to all the different experiences and employable skills that they can have, whether they go to college or not,” Kirby STEM Academy principal Nicole Rosas-Saunders said. “We're changing the trajectory of their lives and their families' lives.”
Judson ISD’s STEM campuses use high-quality instructional materials across core subjects like math and reading. Teachers receive specialized professional development and collaborate across grade levels to support student growth.
A key focus has been maintaining rigorous academic standards, particularly in math. Rosas-Saunders said that the curriculum is intentionally challenging and that students are held to high expectations and not allowed to fall behind.
“At the beginning of the year, they just sat there and said, ‘I can't do this,’ but now they’re having a very educated, intense conversation with their fellow classmates, debating and helping each other determine the answers,” she said.
The district is also seeing positive changes among staff. Teachers report renewed energy and enthusiasm as they implement new strategies and see students take the lead in their learning.
“It's infectious,” Diaz said. “It gives me goosebumps just talking about how excited they are.”
Families can take advantage of the district’s innovative, choice-filled education model and its growing network of STEM academies.
- Returning student registration and new in-district student enrollment are currently open
- Out-of-district registration opens June 9 (in-person only)
Learn more at www.judsonisd.org.
The above story was produced by Multi-platform Journalist Mary Katherine Shapiro with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
