A New Champion Shows What is Possible for the Region’s Schools
El Paso, TX – Today, CREEED celebrated the fourth year of its Algebra in Middle (AIM) High initiative, which recognizes the top five middle schools for leading Algebra I enrollment and performance. Once again, five Socorro Independent School District (SISD) middle schools received the awards. This year, a new school entered the top five and rose to the top spot. Capt. Walter E. Clarke Middle School (Clarke) earned the number one spot after the school’s Algebra I scores increased by more than 20 points in one year.
In 2025, 65 percent of eighth graders at Clarke Middle School who took the Algebra I STAAR exam scored at “Meets” or above. In 2026, that number increased to 87 percent. Clarke also saw improvements in other areas, including English and non-Algebra mathematics assessments.
“Having Clarke Middle School at the top of the list fills my heart with tremendous joy because it affirms that we are doing what is right for kids every day. I am deeply grateful for the incredible students, families, and staff who make up our Clarke community,” said Daniela Palmer, principal of Capt. Walter E. Clarke Middle School. “We are especially thankful to our parents for trusting the process and partnering with us, and to our teachers for maintaining high standards while supporting students in reaching their full potential. This accomplishment belongs to all of us, and it is truly a great day to be a Clarke Cowboy.”
“This year’s AIM High results show what happens when a campus is committed to student success,” said Eddie Rodriguez, CREEED Executive Director. “Clarke Middle School improved its Algebra I scores by 20 percentage points in just one year because its principal made a concerted effort to not only improve test scores, but to improve students’ attendance and provide support at all levels of the campus. The data shows that effort paid off, and we hope it can be sustained and even replicated across the region.”
The AIM High initiative honors and rewards all faculty and staff at the top-performing middle schools, recognizing that success takes teamwork across teachers, administrators, and support staff. To be considered, middle schools must have at least 90% of their students taking Algebra I.
Considered a “gateway course,” research shows that students passing Algebra I in 8th grade are more likely to enroll in advanced math and succeed in college. Taking Algebra I in eighth grade also gives students the opportunity to progress to higher-level math courses earlier in high school, opening additional opportunities for dual credit coursework and college preparation.
As part of this initiative, all staff at each of the top five middle schools receive a monetary gift card. This year, CREEED awarded $49,500 to the following schools:
- Capt. Walter E. Clarke Middle School – $11,350 (87% passing rate)
- Montwood Middle School – $8,100 (85% passing rate)
- SSG. Manuel R. Puentes Middle School – $12,300 (85% passing rate)
- SPC. Rafael Hernando III Middle School – $9,700 (82% passing rate)
- William D. Slider Middle School – $8,050 (82% passing rate)
“Algebra I allows students to gain skills that open doors to higher education and careers,” said Richard A. Castro, CREEED Board Chair. “We are consistently impressed with SISD’s commitment to ensuring its students succeed in Algebra I. We are also thrilled that other districts in our community are prioritizing Algebra I so that even more students gain the critical skills necessary to succeed in high-level math classes and higher education.”
“These outstanding results demonstrate what is possible when talented educators, dedicated staff, and committed students in Socorro ISD work together toward a common goal,” said James Vasquez, Socorro ISD Superintendent. “I am especially proud of Capt. Walter E. Clarke Middle School for their tremendous growth and accomplishment in rising to the top this year, and I applaud all of our AIM High-recognized middle schools for continuing to lead the way in academic excellence.”
The award ceremony was held at Pebble Hills High School. Gift cards were distributed to all faculty and staff at the recognized campuses in celebration of their collective success.
For more information about CREEED and its efforts to increase student achievement, college readiness, and post-secondary completion, visit www.creeed.org.
