Granbury ISD board spotlights Baccus Elementary growth and student recognitions
At the October 21, 2025 board meeting, Granbury ISD trustees heard an update from Baccus Elementary and recognized several student achievements across the district.
Baccus Elementary principal Dr. Lacey Padgett and assistant principals Lacey Clark and Stephanie Slimak reported that enrollment at the campus increased from 454 to 594 students, a change they attributed to the launch of a One‑Way Dual Language Program aimed at promoting bilingualism, biliteracy and biculturalism. School leaders said academic performance improved this year, with the campus rating moving from a C (74) to a B (81). They also reported Academic Growth rose from 75 (C) to 83 (B) and that the campus earned distinctions for Top 25% Academic Growth.
School officials described several programs and practices they said support student development and family engagement. Presentations at the meeting noted the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program focuses on leadership lessons, social contracts and student‑led celebrations to build school culture. The ACES Program was described as supporting students’ academic, communication and social‑emotional growth through a positive behavior framework.
Presenters said students participate in leadership councils, house rallies, career day and academic UIL competitions. The campus reported ongoing family engagement through music programs, family events, newsletters and communication platforms including Class Dojo. The Baccus Treasure Team — Yadira Aguado, Landry Steifer, Isaac Moreno and Christopher Zarate — led the pledges at the start of the meeting and spoke about what they enjoy most about attending the school.
Dr. Padgett and her team summarized the campus message with the statement: “I CAN achieve! I WILL succeed! Because I MATTER!”
The board also recognized Granbury High School seniors Eli Forrest and Grace Blevins, who were named National Merit Commend Scholars. The district statement noted more than 1.5 million students entered the 2025 National Merit program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT during their junior year, and roughly 34,000 students nationwide received Letters of Commendation, representing about the top 3–4% of test‑takers.
Shottenkirk’s Senior of the Month, Daniel Hernandez, was introduced to the board. The district described Hernandez as a first‑generation Mexican American whose parents immigrated from Mexico. The board’s summary said Hernandez has been shaped by his family and faith; his father works in construction and his mother is a stay‑at‑home parent. The report stated Hernandez is in his second year teaching kindergarten classes at his church, helps with Wednesday confirmation classes and serves as a Spanish Mass usher.
The district statement said Hernandez initially considered trade school for automotive and welding but will attend St. Joseph’s Seminary College this fall to major in theology.
Granbury ISD indicated that each month a different campus will present an update to the board and expressed pride in the work occurring at Baccus and other campuses across the district.
Original source: https://www.granburyisd.org/apps/news/article/2123839