Student enrollment in Azle ISD has increased by 13 percent from 2017 to 2023 and continues to climb. Historically one of the smaller school districts in Tarrant County, this growth comes as no surprise to Superintendent Todd Smith.
“We have great things happening across our district,” Smith said. “Once people get here, they’re like, ‘Wow!’”
Azle ISD makes a big impact by uniting teachers, staff, and community members around the district’s motto: Every child, every chance, and every day.
Teachers are encouraged to meet students where they are, focusing on individual year-over-year growth rather than solely on mastery. “We’re trying to make sure that when we’re looking at successes, we’re not just looking at the top,” said Jordan Thiem, Azle ISD’s Director of Secondary Curriculum and Federal Programs. “We’re making sure success is hitting every single student.”
Building Math Success
Improving math outcomes is a priority for Azle ISD. The district is intentional about helping students in grades 5th through 8th to build numeracy skills that prepare students for algebra in high school. For middle-grade students seeking accelerated math but requiring additional support, Azle ISD offers summer bridge courses to strengthen their math knowledge and critical thinking skills.
At the high school level, math teachers participate in professional learning communities (PLCs) where they collaborate on strategies to make math more engaging and applicable for students. According to Thiem, the idea is, “Let’s stop worrying about tips and tricks. Let’s start talking about how we make this practical.”
District leaders are committed to empowering teachers by providing structure and resources to implement strategies while maintaining professional autonomy. “That’s something Azle prides itself on. We want every teacher to be themselves,” said Thiem. “We do not give them scripted lessons. We want them to bring the art of teaching into the classroom, but within a scientific framework.”
The results speak for themselves: 13 percent more Azle ISD students achieved the “meets grade-level” standard in Algebra 1 on the STAAR test between 2022 and 2024, surpassing the state average by 11 percent. Additionally, the district’s four-year graduation rate is on the rise, increasing by three percent as reported in the most recent Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR).*
“I attribute our successes to our teachers who go above and beyond to meet the needs of every student,” said Smith.
Innovating Through Community Partnerships
Local businesses play a role in helping students succeed by contributing to Azle ISD’s uniquely robust career and technical education (CTE) offerings. One corporate partnership resulted in what may be the only commercial refrigeration certification program in the United States for high school students.
“We have a gentleman in our community who has an industrial refrigeration company and it’s all ammonia based, which is a lot better for the environment compared to freon,” Smith shared. “He has all the cooling centers for Tyson Chicken and Walmart distribution centers all over the country, and it’s right here in Azle where he makes these units. He’s a leader in that industry, and he approached us about starting a program.”
Together, the company and the district developed a CTE program of study that appeals to a wide range of students, from those planning to study mechanical engineering in college to those entering the workforce immediately after high school graduation.
“We’re certifying these kids, and it’s a pipeline directly into his industry,” said Smith. “They’re coming out with $60,000 to $80,000-a-year jobs.”
A Community-Driven Vision
Azle ISD’s commitment to every child, every chance, and every day resonates deeply across the community. “Azle is very tight knit, and we support each other,” said Thiem. “Whether it’s them coming to us or us going to them, anytime we say we have a need, somebody in the community steps up. It’s quite amazing.”
“We’re not looking at what’s holding us back,” Thiem concluded. “We’re looking at what’s driving us forward.”
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