Jesus A. Kawas Elementary School - Laredo, TX

J. A. Kawas Elementary School is one of twenty elementary schools in the Laredo Independent School District. The elementary school is located in Laredo, Texas, a border town with a strong Mexican cultural influence, home to approximately 258,000 residents. The school is located less than one mile from the border with Mexico. Due to its geographic location, J. A. Kawas Elementary School services students with very unique demographics. The school's demographics of the current student population are 98.28% Hispanic, 61.94% identified as English Learners, 97.92% as economically disadvantaged, and 63.4% identified as at-risk.

J. A. Kawas Elementary School has a common mission and vision at the epicenter of its core values and traditions. The teachers are committed to setting high expectations for all learners through teamwork, hard work, and dedication. J. A. Kawas Elementary provides dynamic educational opportunities with an instructional focus on rigor and relevance, while creating successful graduates, life-long learners, and future productive citizens in a global society. The instructional techniques provide for a rigorous academic plan that challenges all learners, simultaneously fostering a love for learning through intrinsic motivation. Highly saturated in essential principles, the school utilizes The Fundamental Five: Frame the Lesson, Work in the Power Zone, Frequent Small-Group/Purposeful Talk, Recognize and Reinforce, and Write Critically. Teachers work hard to get students excited about learning through project-based, interactive lessons, rich in student-centered technology, and research.