Navarro Independent School District

This 2025-2026 district theme is “It’s Growing Season” which reflects the growth in our enrollment, growth in our community, growth in our facilities, and the growth in our students and staff through academics, professional development, programs and opportunities to fulfill the priorities and goals within our Collaborative Vision. 

Navarro ISD is experiencing a 10% growth rate adding 250-350 students per year for the next 10 years. During the 2025-2026 school year, we will welcome our 3,000th student, and by 2035 we expect to have over 5,500 students. Our latest demographer report key takeaways noted there are currently 17 actively building subdivisions with nearly 1,300 lots available to build on. NISD has 11 future subdivisions with over 5,800 lots in the planning stages, and groundwork is underway on more than 700 lots within 5 subdivisions.

This is an exciting time for our growing district and a testament to our continued commitment to the legacy of high standards that the heart of Geronimo is known for. We are committed to taking action to ensure a prosperous "growing season" for both students and staff.

Construction of our beautiful new high school campus is quickly moving toward substantial completion in November, and will be ready to receive students when they return from winter break on January 7, 2026.  Whether you’re brand new or a longtime member of the Panther Family, it's important to understand the significant development our high school community is undergoing. The new high school was approved by voters in the 2021 Bond election and is designed to accommodate 1,100 students. Interior details, final touches and installations are underway leading up to permitting and certified occupancy. You’ll also notice road work is underway expanding the intersection at Timmerman and Hwy 123 to prepare for traffic into the school. This is a big step for our growing community and we look forward to sharing videos, newsletters and updates on our bond webpage throughout the Fall. We also invite our stakeholders, families, students, alumni, and community members to join us in celebrating Navarro history at an official dedication ceremony in January after we get everyone settled in.

As part of Bond 2024, when the current high school becomes vacant in January 2026, the campus will undergo a renovation and rebranding to become the new Navarro Junior High School. This space will better serve the needs of our rapidly growing 6th, 7th and 8th grade enrollment. The main building will receive updated flooring, interior fixtures, paint and graphics throughout the main corridors, and full replacement of the chiller system. The current junior high 400 wing (library plus 4 classrooms) will also receive a refresh as we will still need this building to accommodate students after the move. The library will be converted into two additional classrooms since we will have the existing high school library. The campus will officially reopen as the new junior high in August 2026.

Also part of the 2024 Bond, the front parking lots and drives have been reconfigured to allow more vehicle queuing off of Link Rd and connect parking lots between Navarro Annex, Elementary, and Intermediate schools. This will improve safety, flow and flexibility to be able to drop-off/pick-up at both campuses if needed without having to re-enter/exit onto Link Rd.

The new design will also increase parking (Intermediate: 225 to 250 spaces and Elementary: 83 to 170 spaces). This project is being prioritized and is currently scheduled to be complete in August. Safety is always at the forefront of our decision making. Deputies and campus administrators will be supporting drivers to navigate the new traffic patterns throughout the first week of school. We ask our parents to show patience and offer grace as we adjust to new traffic patterns, new bus routes, and more cars. In the first weeks, families can expect longer than normal delays in dropoff/pickup and bus transportation as everyone settles into a routine and routes are balanced.

Our contractors are working quickly to have the newly designed playgrounds and turf play areas installed for our Panthers to enjoy recess at both the elementary and intermediate campuses. The new playground design highlights include:

• Intermediate campus playground will double in square footage
• Elementary campus will feature equipment that is age-appropriate for the future Early Childhood Center, have enough play space for all students at one time, and reuse the existing shade canopies.
• Both playgrounds will have structured fencing, bonded rubber and turf surfaces that are maintenance friendly and accessible to all students.

Our Panther Family is committed to making sure we cultivate positive relationships that grow successful students; helping them make connections that prepare them for their future. This vision and unity for a common goal is bringing more families.who are eager to move here and educators and staff from across the state are applying to share their talents in our growing district. Navarro ISD is an example of the resilient power of public education in the face of growing challenges. This is not by accident but by the intentional and committed actions of our school board and community. Our commitment to high-quality, innovative instruction and strong partnerships with parents and the community is what drives our consistent district growth.

The demographic report forecasts are on course and align with the district's Long Range Facilities Master Plan to address and prepare for enrollment increases over the next ten years. While the new junior high will offer a larger space for students, we will be reconvening the Long Range Facilities Master Planning Committee this fall to address the junior high exceeding 1,000 students in the next four years and make a recommendation for the next phase of the master plan. 

We also look forward to breaking ground later in the semester on Navarro Elementary South located on E. Martindale Road. Our district’s second elementary will serve grades 2-5 and is currently in the design, public infrastructure, and permitting phase. This campus is scheduled to open in August 2027. In the Fall of 2026, parents, staff, and community members will have an opportunity to join the Attendance Boundary Committee to consider recommendations to the Board of Trustees for the establishment of elementary attendance boundaries.

At the heart of every decision we make and action we take is the importance of staying connected to parents, staff, and students. Parents and family members are our biggest partners in education and we value transparency and offer multiple opportunities to be engaged and fully aware of our student’s success, district’s challenges, and future initiatives. The most convenient tool to stay informed is through the ParentSquare app. Parents can see posts, newsletters, emergency alerts, and easily complete forms, pay fees, and more. Your ParentSquare account credentials are directly synced to the contact information in Ascender Parent Portal, so be sure your contact information is always updated and your app notification settings are on.   

We also publish a monthly District Updates and Board Notes newsletter, the Panther Progress quarterly report showcasing programs and activities that fulfill the strategic priorities, cornerstones, and objectives within the Collaborative Vision, and our Bond At Work webpage. I encourage you to engage as a member of our Panther Family. Our success comes when we grow our students, our district, and our community together. Our strength is our people. Consider volunteering at school this year, participate in activities or committees, or simply cheering us on. Your support and action make our collaborative vision a reality in Navarro ISD.