During the Greater Arlington Chamber’s 15th Annual State of the District presented by Prince Lebanese Grill, Arlington ISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Smith highlighted the district’s story and shared his vision for the upcoming school year.
Before the address, cheerleaders from Peach Elementary School welcomed attendees to the event, and Arlington and Martin High School Robotics Teams brought their robo dogs, showing attendees a variety of programmed dog tricks, as they found their seats. While attendees waited in line for food, students from the Martin STEM Academy RoboBoat team explained how their boat, Bruce, works. Choirs from Peach and Ellis Elementary Schools performed several songs, entertaining the attendees while they enjoyed lunch.
During the 2024-25 school year, the district had significant student successes, such as $60.9 million in scholarships earned by the Class of 2025, historic athletic achievements and national recognition in robotics and agriculture programs.
The district’s priorities for the upcoming 2025-26 school year include academic growth, culture, safety and discipline, marketing and engagement, and talent and resources.
“Our priorities are more than just words,” Smith said. “They guide every partnership, every program and every promise we make to our community. Whether it’s ensuring students are equipped to learn or creating spaces where families feel connected and supported, our commitment to academic growth is constant.”
Initiatives for these priorities include a new “Away for the Day” cell phone policy, major facility upgrades like the opening of Joey Rodriguez Junior High and Glaspie Field, teacher pay increases to remain competitive and expanded marketing efforts to engage families and retain students. Smith stressed the importance of community involvement in maintaining momentum, inviting businesses and leaders to partner in internships, scholarships and campus engagement opportunities.
The district introduced a new community newsletter which will keep community members connected with the stories of students in Arlington ISD. Sign up for the newsletter here.
Arlington ISD will receive a project accountability rating of 76 from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the 2024-25 school year, Smith said. The rating improved by four points over the last two years. Of the 71 accountability-rated campuses, 48 improved their overall score by an average of seven points. The district expects 32 of those schools also improved their overall letter grade on the state-mandated A-through-F rating system.
“Arlington ISD is heading in the right direction, and we are showing academic improvement,” Smith said. “We’re not quite where we want to be, yet.”
The district has already appealed to TEA for a rescore due to technical issues in scoring.
“We will be appealing the TEA accountability ratings to ensure that the success of our students is accurately accounted for in Arlington ISD,” Smith said.
He challenged the audience to continue to help AISD share the inspiring stories of Arlington students and teachers.
“In Arlington ISD, every program, every achievement, every story, begins and ends with our students,” he said. “Thank you for walking alongside us and for helping us tell the true story of public education in Arlington ISD. Let’s keep writing this next chapter, together.”
The Greater Arlington Chamber proudly partners with Arlington ISD, the University of Texas at Arlington, Tarrant County College District and Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County to create a brighter future.
The Chamber’s Partners in Education program (PIE) bridges the gap between the business and education communities. Entering its 20th year in partnership with AISD, PIE provides a multitude of opportunities for business and community leaders to connect with the future generation including practicum programs, an annual entrepreneurship contest, scholarships and more. For more information, contact Alicia Collins-Butler, Sr. Director of Strategic Initiatives.
State of the District will be moving to Spring 2026. If you’re interested in learning more, contact Sheyla Castrezana, Events Coordinator.
