Academics

Our master schedule allows for common planning periods across each subject. Advisory (aka Unicorn Time) is held for 30 minutes every day and is used to provide extra support in Reading, Science and Math through our targeted advisories. This provides a large window of time for us to pull our students who are in need of intervention hours to meet their required HB 4545 time. GT students use this time to work through the GT curriculum and projects designed to meet their needs. Fine Arts use this time to prepare for Cheer, Dance, and UIL.

The traditional course offerings of ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies are offered as well as a wide variety of elective choices. We are also able to offer intervention services in Reading for our general education students as well as our special education and EB students. 

We encourage student participation in extra-curricular activities and to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Incoming 6th grade students may to take pre-athletics to prepare for competitive sports in 7th & 8th grade. The Fine Arts department does a great job of working with our feeder elementary campuses to recruit and inform our incoming 6th grade students so that they know what options are available to them. 

We hire the most highly qualified candidate for any position that we may have available. This year, there were staffing shortages, so we do have three staff who are earning their teaching certification via emergency certification programs. We utilize on campus mentors to help instill traditions with new staff and have plans to grow the mentoring program beyond first year new staff. This year, our district is helping our first year teachers with a mentoring program (PIT) in addition to what we have had in place to help them blossom.

Administration conducts weekly walk-throughs in each classroom; we are visible during each passing period and during lunch. We are scheduled for a morning and afternoon duty as well. 
 

We focus on hiring individuals who demonstrate a positive demeanor and reflect a teamwork attitude. This has helped develop a more positive culture on campus reflective in our staff survey.

Our master schedule allows for common planning periods across each subject. Despite our growing enrollment, we have maintained this type of scheduling for instructional planning purposes.
6th through 8th grade level teachers meet regularly during common conference periods to ensure horizontal and vertical alignment.

We regularly encourage our students to participate in extra-curricular activities. This begins with our 6th graders who can enroll in "pre" athletic and spirit classes. Our Fine Arts staff also does a great job recruiting in-coming 6th graders in the latter part of each spring.

Administration makes it a point to be visible during all passing periods and lunches. In addition, they perform regular walkthroughs to not only monitor instruction but remind teachers we are available when support is needed. 
 

The "teamwork" atmosphere is very positive. Staff members support each other and are always willing to offer help when situations arise.

Academic and extra-curricular programs work together to support students while holding them accountable in productive ways.

In addition, we implement an EBIS team which reviews discipline data and feedback from staff regarding student behavior.
 

Hire highly qualified staff for all available positions on campus. 
New staff members will be required to be ESL certified & GT certified within the first two years of employment. 
Current staff members were required to be ESL certified by the end of March 2022 if they teach a core content class.
All staff members are trained in the Fundamental 5 strategies for effective student instruction.
All but 9 core subject staff members are ESL certified. 
All but 5 core subject staff members are GT trained. 

The Oak Run PTA is phenomenal. They provide so much for our campus and are able to do this through fundraising. This year the PTA Fundraiser will primarily be on a donation basis. They give back to the campus by purchasing purified water bottle fillers for each hallway, providing outside tables so that students may sit outside to eat lunch (weather permitting), sponsoring scbool dances, hosting montly staff appreciation activities, and so much more. We appreciate all of their support and hard work. 

We believe in an open door policy for staff, parents, and students and have parents volunteering in the office area daily in addition to providing a chapter for the All Pro Dads program.