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Equipped Learners. Brighter Futures!

DISTRICT OVERVIEW
Abilene ISD features two traditional high schools, a STEM academy high school, a medical high school magnet program, and an alternative high school for at-risk students. AISD is also home to four middle schools, thirteen elementary schools, one alternative placement campus, and one adult education center. Abilene ISD covers 106 square miles in Taylor and Jones counties. Approximately 14,700 students are enrolled in Abilene ISD for the 2023-24 school year. Abilene ISD employs more than 2,400 individuals, over 80% of whom work directly with students every day.

ETHNIC COMPOSITION

  • American Indian: 0.3%
  • Asian: 1.4%
  • Black: 13.7%
  • Hispanic: 47.0%

  • Pacific Islander: 0.20%
  • White: 32.9%
  • Two or more races: 4.6%

GROWTH & CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
By the start of the 2022-23 school year, Abilene ISD successfully completed all projects that were part of the historic $138.7 million bond package passed by the Abilene community in 2018. The cornerstone of that package is The LIFT, which provides 120,000 square feet of new learning space to redefine career and technical education in Abilene and the Big Country. The 2018 bond also paved the way for the construction of three new elementary schools (Austin, Taylor, and Dyess), the Shotwell Annex track and athletics competition facility, and new band halls at Abilene High and Cooper High. These new spaces are currently in use and serve AISD students daily.

Opening their doors for AISD students in 2023-24 are twin multi-purpose indoor turf facilities at Abilene High and Cooper. Nicknamed the Nest (AHS) and the Den (CHS), each of these buildings offers more than 42,000 square feet of new teaching and learning space for students in athletics, marching band, JROTC, drill team, and more while providing protection against the West Texas elements. Upgrades to Shotwell Stadium have also been completed, including a new Daktronics scoreboard system and a state-of-the-art press box, both of which represent world-class learning environments for students in communications and media production courses. There’s never been a better time to be in AISD!

POINTS OF PRIDE

  • AISD has the highest average teacher salary in Region 14. The AISD Board of Trustees approved an increase in first-year teacher salaries to $50,775 and a general pay increase of 2% for employees across the district.
  • AISD also leads area school districts in offering a benefit to all full-time employees of $4,920 toward medical insurance premiums.
  • Stafford Elementary School 5th Grade Science teacher Taniece Thompson-Smith was selected as the Abilene ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year for the 2022-23 school year. She went on to earn the Region 14 Elementary Teacher of the Year honor and has since been named one of three finalists for Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA).
  • Two magnet schools in Abilene ISD are located on the campuses of Hardin-Simmons University (Holland Medical High School) and McMurry University (AISD Center for Innovation). The Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math, and Science (ATEMS) is now located at The LIFT, the district’s state-of-the-art 120,000-square-foot learning facility, which also houses AISD’s robotics, automotive, culinary arts, welding, and construction sciences programs.
  • The Texas Education Agency designated seven AISD schools as Purple Star Campuses, including Abilene High School, Cooper High School, ATEMS, Clack Middle School, and Bassetti, Dyess, and Ward elementary schools. The Purple Star Designation was established to recognize public schools that provide high-quality support to meet the unique needs of military-connected students and their families. 
  • For the third year in a row, the Texas Art Education Association announced that Abilene ISD has been recognized as a TAEA District of Distinction in 2023. This award places AISD’s visual arts programming among the top 4% of districts in Texas. AISD has also been named a Best Community for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation each year since 2018.
  • In 2022-23, eight athletics programs from Abilene High School and three athletics programs from Cooper High School advanced to the playoffs. Individual athletes also advanced to postseason play in girls’ and boys’ tennis, powerlifting, track and field, golf, swimming, and gymnastics.
  • The Abilene ISD is home to six schools that have been designated as a Leader in Me Lighthouse campus: Alcorta, Austin, Bonham, Bowie, Taylor, and Thomas elementary schools. That designation is only earned by the school’s work in producing outstanding results and student outcomes and excellence in implementing the Leader in Me process. The designation is also earned because of the impact the school has on staff, students, parents, and the greater school community.
  • One Abilene High School student was awarded the National Merit Abilene Christian University Scholarship in 2023 after being named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. ATEMS also had a student selected as a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist in September 2023, an honor given to 16,000 high school students nationwide each year.
  • More than 40 other AISD high school students were designated AP Scholars in 2022-23.
Abilene ISD logo

Our Mission

AISD will equip learners to make a positive impact in their world through relevant, innovative, and challenging learning experiences.

BELIEFS

Connect

  • Each child, staff member and parent needs positive personal connections within the district.
  • Respect, care and having high expectations for each student is the foundation for learning.

Lead

  • Initiative, innovation, and a strong work-ethic are important life skills for students and staff.
  • Developing partnerships throughout the Abilene community builds connections for future leaders to give back to the community.

Succeed

  • Intellectual, emotional, and physical safety are crucial components to a successful school environment.
  • Critical thinking, collaboration and problem solving are essential for deep learning.

    Strategic Priorities

    • Establish a culture of collaboration between students, teachers, administrators and the AISD community.
    • Learners will be actively engaged in classrooms.
    • Abilene ISD will develop intentional strategic partnerships which capitalize on the strengths, resources, and talents of all stakeholders.
    • Tell the AISD story of being a school district of choice that provides unparalleled opportunities for all students, staff, and parents.

    School Board Members

    Daryl Zeller, President – Cindy Earles, Vice President – Angie Wiley, Secretary
    Bill Enriquez, Assistant Secretary; Derek Hood, Member; Rodney Goodman, Member; Dr. Danny Wheat, Member