About AISD
Located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Arlington is a thriving community with a population of more than 325,000 citizens. This diverse community is also a major tourist destination that is home to major names in the retail, service and manufacturing industries.
Currently, more than 62,000 students are enrolled in the Arlington ISD, making it the 9th largest school district in Texas. The AISD is also the largest employer in Arlington and the third largest in Tarrant County, with a staff of close to 8,000.
Arlington schools prepare students for future employment and higher education through challenging academic programs and extra-curricular activities. Eighty percent of the student body is on an advanced education track, with about 12 percent of those students enrolled in honors courses. The AISD is also home to an award-winning and acclaimed special-education program, which focuses on academic success as well as the development of life skills. A highly qualified, culturally diverse teaching staff supports all academic and extra-curricular programs.
To keep pace with Arlington's rapid growth, the AISD has opened 17 new elementary campuses, two high schools and three junior highs since 1989. The AISD now includes 50 elementary schools, 12 junior highs, six high schools, a pre-kindergarten campus and five alternative schools.
Arlington also boasts one of the lowest tax rates among large school districts in Texas, with a current rate of $1.755 per $100 of assessed value. The operating cost-per-pupil is $6,997. Additionally, the district spends considerably less than the state averages on instructional leadership, school leadership, central administration, and other administrative operating costs.
The AISD is home to 17 National Merit, National Achievement and National Hispanic Scholars Seniors, and the class of 2005 earned more than $13.6 million in scholarship money. In addition, the AISD is home to the 2004-2005 5A one-act play champions, the first eight-time Texas high school swimming champion, and three of the musical groups selected to perform at the Texas Music Educators Association conference this spring. Our fine arts program was named one of the top 100 in the nation, and our generous faculty, staff and students raised more money for tsunami relief efforts than any other school district or school nationwide more than $54,000.
During the 2004-2005 school year the district achieved its first-ever girls’ basketball championship, along with 5A girls’ doubles tennis champions for the second year running.
These student successes are largely due to the comprehensive curricula offered in the AISD. As AISD develops its innovative programming for able learners, it has provisions, K-12, to meet the needs of students with different kinds and degrees of abilities.
These provisions are supported by sequentially developed curricula that balance acceleration and enrichment. In math and language arts, students can progress as they master skills, content and concepts.
"Flexible advancement" has been carefully woven into a sequential format with special attention to mathematics and language arts, grades K-12. The district has developed means to assess students for initial placement and to monitor their progress through curricula.
Teachers may bring advanced level materials down to groups of students or place individual students in higher-level grades or courses.
At the secondary level, additional opportunities for flexible pacing are available in science, mathematics, foreign languages, computer science and the humanities through the district's honors and Advanced Placement classes, as well as through concurrent enrollment with area universities.
The AISD is currently at the application process for implementing the International Baccalaureate program at two of our high schools. AISD looks forward to offering the program in all of our high schools in the future.
Students have the opportunity to graduate with 24 or more college credits through the district's Advanced Placement program - that's the equivalent of one full year of college study. This year, the Advanced Placement curricula include English, calculus, biology, american history, american government, european history, macroeconomics, computer science, physics, chemistry and foreign languages.
Computers are involved on all levels of study. Computer instruction begins in kindergarten and expands through math and language arts instruction and robotics, drafting and vocational training.
The district's fine arts curricula allow students to explore their creativity through a wide variety of programs. Drama, art and music education produce consistent trophy winners in University Interscholastic League competition. Unique programs, such as elementary strings and chorus, give our talented youngsters an early start.
The district's comprehensive interscholastic athletic program includes District 8-5A varsity competition in baseball, softball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track, volleyball, wrestling and gymnastics.
Zeroing in on potential dropouts, the AISD's secondary Venture School and elementary and junior high Success programs provide alternatives for students who have difficulty adjusting to a traditional classroom environment.
Community groups and volunteers have many opportunities to become involved with students. Several civic groups mentor or tutor at-risk students while more than 18,000 individual volunteers share their time and talents with students and staff through community programs. This year, about 800 area businesses are involved in the district's Adopt-A-School program.
Arlington ISD serves the educational needs of every child. At the same time, the AISD nurtures its relationship with the community through sound fiscal management and a systematic, well-planned, continuous, two-way communications program. Arlington ISD is "Quality in Action."