Michael S. Ryan Elementary School - Laredo, TX

Laredo, Texas is the nation's largest inland port of entry and border crossing for goods traded between the United States and Mexico. Michael S. Ryan Elementary is one of 20 elementary schools in the Laredo Independent School District offering prekindergarten 3 through 5th grade classes. Established in 1953 in the affluent Heights neighborhood, Ryan Elementary was built to meet the needs of a growing city. Tasked with educating the children of pilot trainees from around the country at the Laredo Air Force Base, the school has a rich history and tradition of academic excellence. In the last 60 years, Laredo has grown and residential development has spread, thereby changing the school's demographics. RES data reports that 98% of its 840 students are Hispanic, 87% are economically disadvantaged, and 65% are at-risk.

Ryan Elementary staff strive for student success and are committed to ensuring high performance for all demographics in a caring and nurturing environment. Collaboration and collective teamwork is instrumental in creating a culture of pride, ownership, and school spirit. Ryan staff appreciate and embrace relationships established with its parents and community. All stakeholders fully participate and support school projects and activities aligned with campus goals and objectives. Favorable outcomes in student performance are a direct result of the staff's focus on student academic achievement. For the last three years, the school has met the "Closing the Gap" index in the State of Texas Accountability System, specifically when comparing the scores of all students with those in subgroups.

Collaboration and teamwork is invaluable, instilling in students the urgency to succeed academically and to excel in extracurricular activities. The M. S. Ryan Elementary "Mighty Bobcat Family" remains committed to ensuring academic achievement, high performance, and school success, while continuing the longstanding tradition of excellence.