Awards & Distinctions

Aldine ISD has been recognized locally as well as at the state and national levels with the following awards and distinctions.

2023-2024

• Aldine Named District of Distinction for 5th Consecutive Year by Texas Art Education Association: Aldine Named District of Distinction for 5th Consecutive Year by Texas Art Education Association: AISD was recognized for its well-rounded education, integrating visual arts curriculum to inspire creativity and social-emotional learning. The district, one of only 16 school districts to have achieved this honor five times, was chosen by TAEA, the state’s leading advocate for visual arts.

2022-2023

• AISD Honored With 2 Outstanding Awards From Mexican American School Board Association: The Mexican American School Board Association awarded the 2022 Outstanding Civics Initiative Award for Family and Community University and the Outstanding English Language Learner Initiative Award to the district’s La Promesa campus. La Promesa, a newcomer and dual language experience school, has been expanding enrollment and focusing on English-Spanish dual language experience. Family and Community University empowers parents to help their children’s academic achievement through education and leadership opportunities. Both schools build on Aldine ISD’s strategic plan, A New Way Forward, aiming to provide high-quality education and empower families to become stronger advocates.
• AISD’s Finance Department Earns Certificate of Achievement From GFOA: The AISD Finance Department received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The distinction was given for the district’s comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, which met high transparency and complete disclosure standards.
• District’s Child Nutrition Services Department Receives Lifetime Achievement Award From TASN: AISD was honored for its outstanding practices in child nutrition and wellness programs. The Texas Association for School Nutrition (TASN) honored Aldine’s 30 years in the Standards of Excellence program. The SOE program, which includes standards, criteria, and evaluation procedures, helps determine excellent programs and accredits them. The SNA created a Task Force to update criteria and improve child nutrition programs.
• Aldine Named Among Top School Districts in Texas Providing Students With Free Meals: AISD was ranked first by the nonprofit Children at Risk among Texas school districts, thanks mainly to the participation of “lunch ladies” in providing nutritious meals to students. The ranking focused on schools with over 50,000 students. In AISD, 92% of students are economically disadvantaged. In addition to school meals and after-school snacks and suppers at all elementary and secondary campuses, the district’s Child Nutrition Services Department also focuses on wellness, hosting elementary students in its gardens to teach them about fruits and vegetables and how to cook healthy meals.

2021-2022

• District Earns State’s Highest Fiscal Accountability Rating for 18th Straight Year: Aldine ISD was recognized for its exemplary financial management. It received a ‘Superior’ rating under Texas’ School FIRST accountability system for the 18th consecutive year. This system ensures public schools are accountable for their financial practices, focusing on maximizing resources for direct instructional purposes. AISD once again successfully met the five critical indicators, including filing the annual financial report within a month, compliance with debt agreements, making timely payments, and maintaining a total unrestricted net asset balance. The district has also demonstrated financial solvency and competency, as evidenced by our administrative costs ratio, student enrollment compared to staff, PEIMS reporting accuracy, and compliance with guidelines. This adherence to financial indicators is a testament to our commitment to financial stability.
• Aldine ISD’s Purchasing Dept. Earns TASBO’s Award of Merit: Aldine ISD’s Purchasing Department won the 2022 TASBO Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations, marking its fourth consecutive year of recognition for its professional standards in acquiring goods and services.

2020-2021

• AISD’s CNS Department Ranks 2nd in Houston Area and 3rd in the State in Kroger, Children At Risk’s School Food Rankings: Aldine ISD’s Child Nutrition Services Department was ranked second in the Houston area and third in the state in Kroger and Children at Risk’s School Food Rankings for 2021. The department addressed food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic and served 56,000 Weekend Meal Bundles since the 2020-21 school year, demonstrating a team effort.

2019-2020

• Aldine ISD earns a ‘B’ rating from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) based on the 2019 accountability report. Ninety-five percent of AISD campuses met the state standard in the 2018-2019 school year, up from 94 percent during the 2017-2018 school year. The district also earned 37 academic distinctions. AISD increased its number of schools rated ‘A’ and ‘B.’ The Commissioner of Education Mike Morath held a press conference at one of the AISD schools based on gain.
• The Aldine Independent School District is one of just 250 school systems in the United States and Canada to receive a spot on the College Board’s 10th Annual Advanced Placement (AP®) District Honor Roll. The distinction is the first time the district has made the Honor Roll.
• The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) names Aldine ISD, a District of Distinction. Aldine was one of only 20 school districts in Texas to earn the honor.
• AISD earns the state’s highest fiscal accountability rating. For the 16th consecutive year, AISD received a rating of “Superior” under Texas’ School FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) accountability rating system. The “Superior” rating is the state’s highest, demonstrating the quality of Aldine ISD’s financial management and reporting system.

2018-2019

• The Texas Education Agency bestows AISD with a letter grade of “A” along with a management rating of “Superior.” This is the state’s highest possible rating from Schools FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating system of Texas). This is the 16th consecutive year the District receives the “Superior” rating.

2017-2018

• The Texas Education Agency bestows AISD with a letter grade of “A” along with a management rating of “Superior.” This is the state’s highest possible rating from Schools FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating system of Texas). This is the 15th consecutive year the District receives the “Superior” rating.

2016-2017

• The Texas Education Agency bestows AISD with a letter grade of “A” along with a management rating of “Superior.” This is the state’s highest possible rating from Schools FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating system of Texas). This is the 14th consecutive year the District receives the “Superior” rating.
• Texas School Business includes Aldine ISD in the 2016-2017 ‘Bragging Rights’ issue. The magazine recognized the Technology and Curriculum Conference of Aldine as a best practice. The free annual event attracts thousands of educators. The conference forms part of AISD’s goal of inspiring blended learning in its schools.
• Knovation names AISD among Top 100 School Districts for effectively using reliable and engaging online educational resources to personalize learning and impact every student. The awards are based upon extent of usage and presented to districts that utilize the available digital learning resources to their highest potential.
• The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) features Aldine ISD’s Big Art Day 2016 celebration in Trends magazine.

2015-2016

• Education First recognizes AISD in its District Rising series. The report highlights 10 districts across the nation working to raise student achievement and preparing students for college and career.
• The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) recognizes AISD with prestigious Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
• Education Resource Strategies’ (ERS) case study, The Rewards of Perseverance, lauds AISD for improving student outcomes and narrowing achievement gaps. The study tells the story of AISD’s deliberate, systemwide evolution in response to change.
• Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg receives Distinguished Educator Award from Sam Houston State University. The University cited Dr. Bamberg’s contributions to the field of education through her expertise and service as an educator.
• Children at Risk ranks AISD among the best for feeding students. The nutrition study ranks how well large districts across the state provide meals to schoolchildren.
• The Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) awards AISD with the Youth Art Month Award. TAEA recognizes districts for their efforts to promote and advocate for arts education.
• The Texas Education Agency bestows AISD with a “Pass” rating. This is the state’s highest possible rating. This is the 13th year of Schools FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas). The Texas Education Agency (TEA) converted to a two-rating system during the 2014-2015 year. Districts can either earn a “Pass” or “Substandard Achievement” rating. AISD achieved the top rating of “Superior Achievement” for 12 consecutive years. During those years, School FIRST assigned one of four ratings to districts.
• The State Comptroller’s Office awards AISD 4 out of 5 Stars in its Financial Allocation Study for Texas (FAST). The rating recognizes AISD for cost effective spending and academic progress.

2014-2015

• Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg receives the Dr. John Hoyle Educational Leadership Award. The award is sponsored by Texas A&M University’s School of Education and the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA). The University cited Dr. Bamberg for being a champion of all children and for tackling difficult situations.
• Knovation names AISD among Top 100 School Districts for using digital learning resources.
• The Texas Education Agency bestows AISD with a “Superior Achievement” rating. This is the state’s highest possible rating. This is the 12th year of Schools FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas).

2013-2014

• H-E-B names AISD Board of Trustees a finalist for Excellence in Education Award. The award celebrates public school professionals whose leadership and dedication inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.
• The Texas Education Agency bestows AISD with a “Superior Achievement” rating. This is the state’s highest possible rating. This is the 11th year of Schools FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas).
• The State Comptroller’s Office awards AISD 4 out of 5 Stars in its Financial Allocation Study for Texas (FAST). The rating recognizes AISD for cost effective spending and academic progress.
• The Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) names AISD Board of Trustees a finalist for state’s Outstanding School Board honor.
• Adine ISD Board of Trustees Named 2013 Region 4 Outstanding School Board

2012-2013

• AISD earns 4 Stars out of 5 Stars from the Financial Allocation Study of Texas (FAST)

2010 & 2011

• AISD earns 4.5 Stars out of 5 Stars from the Financial Allocation Study of Texas (FAST) for two consecutive school years

2003-2012

• AISD earns “Superior Achievement” rating for 10 consecutive years from TEA’s Schools FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) Superior Achievement is the state’s highest rating.

2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013

• Aldine ISD earns Texas Comptroller’s Gold Leadership Circle Award for fiscal transparency

2010-2011

• American Association of School Personnel Administrators bestows AISD with the C.S. Robinson Award
• ESC Region 4 names Dr. Wanda Bamberg Region 4 Superintendent of the Year
• Harvard Business Review continues its Public Education Leadership Project (PELP) — Case “Meeting New Challenges at the Aldine Independent School District (B),” published July 14, 2011, which serves as a follow-up to “Meeting New Challenges at the Aldine Independent School District (A),” published in 2005
• Texas Education Agency (TEA) recognizes AISD with the Best Practice Award for the district’s Collaborative Monitoring & Intervention Model

2009-2010

• Broad Foundation names AISD the Broad Prize for Urban Education winner
• Texas Education Agency (TEA) recognizes AISD with the Best Practice Award for the district’s Collaborative Monitoring & Intervention Model

2009-2010

• Broad Foundation names AISD the Broad Prize for Urban Education winner

2004, 2005 & 2008

• Broad Foundation names AISD a finalist (for these three years) for Broad Prize for Urban Education

2008-2009

• Texas Educational Excellence Project (TEEP) Study (spearheaded by Texas A&M University) rated AISD as best among the state’s largest districts for educating Latino students and fourth in educating African American students (the study utilized data from 2005-2006 and 2006-2007)

2007-2008

• H-E-B presents Aldine ISD with Education Excellence Award

2005-2006

• ESC Region 4 names Nadine Kujawa Superintendent of the Year
• Quality Texas Foundation presents Aldine ISD with the Texas Award for Performance Excellence (TAPE)
• National Center for Educational Accountability and Data Quality Campaign cite Aldine ISD for Best Practices (“Data Use Drives School and District Improvement,” published Sept. 2006)
• Harvard Business Review examines AISD’s efforts to sustain and accelerate significant increases in student performance [Case “Meeting New Challenges at the Aldine Independent School District (A),” published Oct. 14, 2005]

2004-2005

• Texas Business & Education Coalition (TBEC) presents AISD with Distinguished Achievement Award
• Houston Mayor Bill White presents AISD with Mayor’s Award for Excellence

2002-2003

• American Music Conference names AISD’s music education program as one of the top 100 best in the U.S.
• Texas Education Agency’s Division of Migrant Education bestows AISD the Excelling District Award
• National Center for Educational Accountability (NCEA) names AISD a “Best Practices District”

2001-2002

• NBC Nightly News features AISD’s physical education and wellness program
• Sylvan Learning Center and Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce Education Committee present AISD with the Excellence in Education Award in praise of the district’s career awareness program
• Sam Houston Area Council/Boy Scouts of America bestows AISD with the William H. Spurgeon III Award for the district’s leadership in the Exploring program
• Learning First Alliance study “Improving Teaching & Learning: A Preliminary Look At the Practices of Five School Districts” includes Aldine ISD due to the district’s focus on student achievement

2000-2001

• American Music Conference names Aldine ISD’s music program among one of the top 100 in the nation
• Education Trust names AISD a top performing school district

1999-2000

• UT-Austin Dana Center names AISD one of five model school districts in Texas (Report “Equity-driven Achievement-focused School Districts: A Report on Systemic School Success in Four Texas School Districts,” published Sept. 2000)

1998-1999

• The American School Board Journal bestows AISD Board of Trustees with Magna Award
• Health Magazine (July-August issue) features AISD’s physical education and wellness program

1997-1998

• Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) bestows AISD with Outstanding School Board Award
• USA Weekend magazine names AISD a National Encore Award recipient

1996-1997

• USA Weekend magazine names AISD a National Encore Award recipient

1996-2003

• AISD earns seven TEA “Recognized” ratings