At our January board meeting, I shared the annual State of the District where I presented the progress we have made over the past year in regard to our four Priorities: Students, Staff, Stakeholders, and Stewardship.
Let me tell you: The future here in Taylor ISD is bright. Our students have brought home regional, state, and national recognitions, marking our school district and Taylor, Texas on the map. Our academics and extracurriculars are demonstrating high levels of excellence, in line with our 1+ goals of going above and beyond inside and outside of the classroom.
More importantly, we have made gains in all academic areas. We know we still need to pay close attention to our math programs to ensure that all students are performing at and above grade level. The great thing is, our systems are working, they’re telling us where we need to improve, and we have the ability to pivot quickly to address learning needs as they arise.
I’m proud to report that we are on track to meet our growth targets, and I am grateful for all the work our students, staff, and families have put in to get here. Our growth and success is fragile, and it takes all of us to reach for the 1+. Daily attendance is the most important part of achieving any measure of success, and if you have any barriers to attendance, we’re here to help.
I ended the State of the District with a video I’d like to share with you all. This video captures the heart of Taylor ISD: Our students striving for excellence, one day at a time. I want to thank you for your daily commitment, and know that I am incredibly proud to be on this journey with all of you. Please watch this video and share it widely. The Taylor ISD story matters, and it’s one of a unique path to success.
Jen
Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen, Ph.D.
Taylor ISD Superintendent
Around the District
Taylor ISD students shine at Austin Regional Science Fair
Our elementary and middle school students participated in the Austin Regional Science Fair, earning top recognitions! TMS had four teams participate, with Lilly Farris earning first place in the Engineering Technology: Statics & Dynamics Division! She will now advance to the state science and engineering fair! Meanwhile, our elementary students earned first, second, and third place ratings, marking a stellar performance for their first time at the regional science fair.
All of our students participated in the district science fair earlier this semester, showcasing their projects for a panel of local judges, who determined projects that would advance to regionals. All our students put together great projects, and demonstrated excellent public speaking skills as they explained their work and answered questions at the district and regional levels.
We are so proud of our students! Their efforts clearly rose above the rest!
Fine Arts students off to an incredible 2026
It may only be February, but Taylor ISD’s Fine Arts students are already making waves, showcasing exceptional talent, dedication, and hard work at competitions across the region. Their accomplishments so far this semester are truly impressive:
3 All-State Choir students
1 All-State Band student
2 Scholastic Art Competition recognitions
Winterguard earned 3rd place at a TECA meet and is currently ranked 6th overall
Hi-Steppers earned Grand Champion honors, Best in Class awards, and multiple gold-ranked individual performances
We couldn’t be prouder of these students and the directors who support them. Their passion, commitment, and 1+ spirit continue to shine, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the semester brings.
THS Academic Decathlon team is state bound!
The AcDec team is headed to the Texas Academic Decathlon State Competition after an incredible showing at the regional competition in Corpus Christi, where they won silver medals overall and a spot at state!
Students earned medals across multiple events, including essay, music, art, language & literature, math, science, economics, and social science, with standout performances from all three divisions: Honors, Scholastic, and Varsity.
Overall medalists included Sherry Zheng, Rylee Michna, Arya Roy, and Josh Meller, along with many individual event medal winners. Even with speech and interview events canceled due to weather, our team rose to the challenge and excelled.
Next stop: Corpus Christi on February 26 for the 22nd consecutive year representing Taylor High School and the City of Taylor at state!
We’re so proud of our students and coaches!
5th graders get a glimpse of the TMS life
Earlier this month, Naomi Pasemann Elementary and Main Street Elementary visited Taylor Middle School to get a preview of what awaits them next year. Students learned about middle school life, core classes, and engaging electives to extracurricular opportunities. The highlight of the visit? A sneak peek of the snack bar!
Teachers, administrators, and student representatives shared insights about campus life, while performances from Band, Theater, Choir, and Dance showcased the many ways students can get involved. Presentations also highlighted opportunities in Athletics/PE and Art, helping students begin thinking about elective choices and the possibilities ahead.
The visit wrapped up with fun activities alongside the cheerleaders, making it a memorable and welcoming experience for these soon-to-be middle schoolers. The future looks bright for this next generation of Taylor ISD students!
THS and Legacy ECHS tour Samsung in Austin
Our THS and Legacy Early College High School students recently had an incredible opportunity to tour the Samsung Semiconductor campus in Austin!
This experience was especially valuable for our juniors and seniors applying for summer internships, as well as for students interested in manufacturing, engineering, construction, or learning more about Samsung. It offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the real-world innovation shaping these industries.
Thank you to our community partners at Samsung Austin Semiconductor for welcoming our students and inspiring the next generation of talent!
Taylor ISD welcomes international student visitors
In January, Taylor ISD recently welcomed students from Daeyeong High School in South Korea for a memorable cultural exchange across the district. Taylor High School students greeted their guests with school spirit as visitors shadowed classes, toured the campus, met leaders, and exchanged gifts.
The two-day visit also included stops at Main Street Elementary, where students offered a warm welcome and fun activities, and Legacy Early College High School to learn about early college opportunities. The day concluded Texas-style with Whataburger, new friendships, and meaningful memories our students won’t soon forget!
Nominate students, teachers, and staff for the Superintendent 1+ Coin of Excellence today
You can now nominate students, teachers, and staff who lead with this motto for the Superintendent 1+ Coin of Excellence! The recognition honors those who embody the 1+ mission through their leadership, character, service, and demonstrated commitment to excellence.
One student and one teacher or staff member will be selected for the recognition each month from the nominations provided. Any student, teacher, and staff member can be nominated for the recognition. Recipients will be celebrated at the monthly school board meeting.
Nominations are open all year, so recognize someone who deserves it today using the links below!
