Northwest Early College High School in the Canutillo Independent School District is one of America’s Best Schools, a national educational organization determined this weekend.
The National Center for Urban School Transformation on Friday honored Northwest as one of its 2023 America’s Best Schools based on high performance among all student populations despite challenges like low income families and other socio-economic determinations.
“Northwest Early College continues to shine at the national level by using the core principles of our District in access to high-quality education for all students, despite their background,” said Canutillo ISD Superintendent Dr. Pedro Galaviz. “This campus is proof positive that exemplary academic achievement is possible by any student, not just those with access to financial wealth.”
The Center awarded only eight schools with the title of America’s Best School this year. Northwest Early College is the only El Paso area school to receive the honor.
In their presentation, judges noted that despite having no academic criteria for admission, all students at Northwest graduate high school have earned an Associate of Arts degree. Additionally, all core subjects are taught at the PreAP, Advanced Placement, dual credit or dual enrollment level in partnership with either El Paso Community College or the University of Texas at El Paso.
Some other honors the school has received include:
- An A rating from the Texas Education Agency with distinctions in science, social studies, closing the gap and postsecondary readiness.
- National Blue Ribbon award from the U.S. Department of Education.
- Computer Science Principles Female Diversity Award from Advanced Placement (AP).
- Accelerating Women’s Success and Mastery in Computer Science Honor Roll.
- Four National Board Certified Teachers out of the 19 faculty members – the highest rate in the region.
- Top 3 School in El Paso by the U.S. News & World Report.
The Center bases the award on several criteria, including: low-income eligibility, non-selective admissions process, high rates of academic proficiency for every racial/ethnic student group, evidence of high achievement for students with disabilities, high attendance rates, evidence of high achievement for English learners, low rates of out-of-school suspensions, low rates of teacher absences, percentages of students earning college credit and graduation rates.
Northwest Principal Frank Clark said the selection process involved an extensive visit, with judges interviewing staff and students about achievement and culture at the school.
“I am beyond proud to be able to say that Northwest is one of America’s Best Schools and that the work we’re doing in Canutillo ISD is transforming lives,” Clark said.