MIDLAND South Elementary has proudly earned Level 1 certification as a High Reliability School (HRS) from Marzano Resources, marking a major accomplishment in its mission to foster a safe, supportive, and effective learning environment for all students. This achievement follows a rigorous evaluation of the school’s day-to-day operations, school safety, and community collaboration, with substantial evidence of improvement in student behavior, staff unity, and academic focus.
Level 1 certification reflects the school’s success in addressing foundational elements that ensure a positive and effective school culture. This milestone is the result of the collective efforts of the entire school community, including teachers, administrators, students, and parents, who worked together to align resources, refine processes, and continually monitor progress. Principal Cynthia Rodriguez, who has led the school since January 2023, and Assistant Principal Christina Tynes, played crucial roles in watching, learning, and listening to the needs of the school, shaping a new direction, and overcoming initial reluctance.
“At first, we faced resistance,” Rodriguez explained in a news release. “But we saw huge effects on our students, staff, and parents once we started focusing on creating consistent procedures and setting the culture ourselves, rather than letting it be set for us. It became clear that we were moving the school in the right direction.”
A key part of this transformation has been the implementation of the HRS framework, which ensures that procedures remain consistent regardless of changes in staffing. The school’s efforts have already resulted in a visible decline in aggressive behaviors and an increase in collaborative engagement. South’s success is further evidenced by the preliminary campus results, which show significant growth in student achievement, with the campus moving from a D to a B rating based on the STAAR assessment data. Notably, a small team was put together and attended a Marzano conference that helped solidify these concepts, bringing back insights that directly impacted how they approached their leadership and teaching methods.
“We are committed to putting the right people in the right places and focusing on the right work at the right time,” said Principal Rodriguez, referencing the school’s leadership motto of Putting Aces in Their Places. “Our staff has fully embraced this collaborative approach, and we have already seen how it has strengthened both our teaching and our relationships with the community.”
Another essential aspect of the school’s journey has been a focus on engaging both students and staff. “We have been able to capture both the hearts and minds of our teachers and students, focusing on clear goals, safety, and emotional well-being,” said Counselor Carina Thomas. “As a result, the entire community—parents included—has noticed the transformation in our school’s culture.”
By achieving this Level 1 certification, South Elementary has laid a strong foundation for continued growth. The leadership team aims to move into Levels 2 and 3 by 2026 while maintaining the core standards that earned them Level 1 certification. Through continuous monitoring and adjustment, South Elementary is on track to become a model of sustainability and excellence.
