Texas Empowerment Academy Celebrates Milestone
On January 14th Texas Empowerment Academy (TxEA) will celebrate a significant milestone, marking its first year on an expansive 89,000-square-foot campus. This growth is a testament to TxEA’s vision and resilience over its 26-year history as a pioneering charter school in Texas. Despite 86% of its students being economically disadvantaged, TxEA consistently demonstrates remarkable achievements, transforming narratives surrounding Black youth success.
In a broader educational landscape often focused on challenges like low graduation rates and achievement gaps, TxEA offers a compelling counter-narrative. The academy is dedicated to fostering an environment of educational equity and cultural responsiveness, enabling its Pre-K through 12th-grade students to consistently meet and surpass standardized assessment expectations. This tailored approach ensures personalized attention and academic success, challenging conventional perceptions of Black academic potential.
A cornerstone of TxEA’s success is its robust social-emotional learning (SEL) framework and Human Development Days. These initiatives engage students and families in cultivating real-world skills such as stress management and leadership. By prioritizing emotional intelligence, TxEA promotes personal growth alongside academic excellence. Additionally, involvement in performing arts like band, theatre, and dance enhances creative expression and teamwork, enriching the SEL programming.
TxEA underscores the importance of representation with a diverse faculty that surpasses national averages. Notably, less than 2% of teachers nationwide are Black males, 60% of TxEA's faculty comprises this demographic. The story of Terrance Tyrell, a former student and now principal in 2024, exemplifies how TxEA nurtures role models. After overcoming academic obstacles with the academy's support, Terrance graduated from college, taught high school math, and now leads by example, embodying TxEA's mission to inspire through relatable representation.
In addition to educational successes, TxEA's journey to its new campus highlights its resilience and determination. The academy began a capital campaign six months before COVID-19, coinciding with land contract negotiations. The pandemic forced a withdrawal from the contract, but a year later, the same land became available at double the price. TxEA secured $6 million for land closing and financing within a tight 30-day window. Despite hurdles such as the international war-induced economic turmoil, steel price hikes, and supply chain disruptions, TxEA's resilience and supportive allies ensured the successful campus opening in January 2024.
Beyond academics, TxEA plays a vital role with small class sizes and a culturally responsive curriculum that includes a rich focus on African American history. Partnerships with community organizations, such as Austin Community College, provide students with dual enrollment opportunities, mentorship, and career pathways. These initiatives save parents around $28,000 and enable students to earn 36 college credits before graduation. Now in its fourth year of achieving a 100% high school graduation and college enrollment rate, TxEA anticipates reporting its first college completion data in 2025.
Students and families express that they chose TxEA because they feel seen, and their children are nurtured and pushed to be their best selves. Currently, TxEA has 721 students enrolled, with over 200 on the waiting list, and they expect to increase enrollment to 800 students by 2025. This growth underscores the academy's dynamic mission and its success in creating transformative educational experiences.
If you are interested in witnessing TxEA’s mission in action, a visit to TxEA is a must! For more information or to arrange a tour, please contact their Chief Development Officer, Llyas Salahud-din, at LLyas@txea.org. Experience firsthand the empowering and supportive environment that TxEA offers to its students and the broader community.