Navarro Independent School District

GERONIMO, TX – September 29, 2025 – ¡Felicidades! Glückwunsch! Binabati kita! Поздравляем! Navarro ISD is proud to announce the graduation of 30 students from its English as a Second Language (ESL) program for the 2024–2025 school year. These students have met rigorous state-mandated criteria, demonstrating high levels of English language proficiency and academic readiness.

To successfully exit the program, students must meet several benchmarks, including achieving a composite score of "Advanced High" on the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS), scoring at least "Approaches Grade Level" on the Reading Language Arts STAAR or English End-of-Course (EOC) exams, and receiving a positive subjective teacher evaluation from their ELAR/English teacher.

"Witnessing these students successfully exit the ESL program is a moment of immense pride for our district," said Wendy McMullen, Chief Academic Officer for Navarro ISD. "It validates the hard work of our students, their families, and our dedicated educators. These students are now fully prepared to thrive academically in all of their content areas."

The success of these students is a testament to the comprehensive support provided by the district’s program, which serves students speaking a variety of home languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, German, Tagalog, Swahili, Vietnamese, Burmese, Gujarati, Twi, and Sign Language.

"The criteria for exiting the ESL program are challenging, and these students have risen to the occasion through their dedication and perseverance," said Lety Miller, ESL Bilingual Specialist. "It's a huge achievement that opens up so many new opportunities for them as they continue their educational journey at Navarro ISD."

Navarro ISD made significant investments in its Emergent Bilingual students this summer, particularly focusing on early intervention and teacher development. A targeted summer school program served 20 Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students, preparing them for linguistic and academic success through meaningful engagement. This program blended classroom instruction with real-world experiences, including field trips to sites like the Witte Museum and the Seguin Public Library. As ESL Bilingual Specialist Kayle Arlaus noted, "These early interventions are critical. The summer program's blend of classroom instruction and real-world experiences ensures our youngest learners get a head start, building a strong foundation for their next grade level."

The district simultaneously bolstered its teaching staff's capacity by offering ESL Certification Training to non-certified teachers. Additionally, all educators participated in a professional learning session focusing on Content-Based Language Instruction, as required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), ensuring better support for emergent bilingual students in every classroom. This proactive growth strategy is laying the groundwork for future expansion for the growing population as Navarro ISD anticipates launching its first bilingual class in the 2026–2027 school year.