Castleberry ISD

Castleberry ISD Earns 2024 District of Distinction Award from Texas Art Education Association

Posted on 08/27/2024

The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) announced the 94 winners of the 2024 District of Distinction Award. Among the list of honorees is Castleberry Independent School District. The districts received the honor for providing a well-rounded education that advocates and integrates visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and build social emotional learning that connect learners to their community and beyond.

TAEA is the leading advocate for the visual arts in the state. The organization has previously honored outstanding TAEA members for work in their classrooms and districts. This is the fifth year that TAEA is honoring districts that meet rigorous criteria as evidenced from data.

For the 2024 award, over 1,200 districts were eligible to apply. Each district submitted documentation they met from the 14-point rubric over the 2023-2024 school year. Only 94 districts met the high standard and will receive the outstanding honor indicating they are in the top 5.5 percent in art education of districts in the state.

The visual arts program in Castleberry ISD is a robust program that enjoys a great deal of support from the district. Every Castleberry ISD elementary student in grades pre-K through 5 receives 50 minutes of high-quality visual art instruction each week. Additionally, all secondary students in grades 6 through 12 have access to continue their visual arts education with Advanced Placement offerings at Castleberry High School.

“Castleberry Independent School District has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity, community participation and student growth,” said Holley Nealy, Chair of the Visual Art Administrators of Texas, a division of TAEA, “It is a true testament to your visual art educators’ skill, dedication, and flexibility that the quality of their programs continued to provide strong and comprehensive visual art educational experiences to students.”

"Visual Arts education is an integral component of our students' academic and personal growth, and the district is committed to providing our students with a comprehensive Visual Arts Program,” emphasized Renee Smith-Faulkner, Castleberry ISD superintendent of schools. “Starting in pre-kindergarten, all elementary students participate in music and art through fifth grade. Our district recognizes the profound benefits of participating in the visual arts and is dedicated to ensuring our students have access to this invaluable resource.”

Ninety-four districts, including Castleberry ISD will be honored at the TAEA Administration & Supervision Division meeting and General Session during the TAEA Fall Conference General Assembly on Friday, November 15, 2024.

“Castleberry ISD is honored to be named a District of Distinction by the Texas Arts Educators Association for a second consecutive year. This award is a testament to the dedication and talent of Castleberry ISD’S visual arts educators and students,” said Stacia Graves, Castleberry ISD's director of fine arts.

Castleberry ISD exhibited widespread participation in both the TAEA Visual Art Scholastic Event and the Texas Elementary Art Meet. Many students obtained perfect scores in these events, with representatives from elementary, middle, and high school advancing to the state level.