RISD is proud to announce that Richardson Terrace Elementary and O. Henry Elementary have both been named to the 2026 AMERICA’S BEST SCHOOLS Honor Roll by the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST). This national recognition honors schools that demonstrate strong evidence of academic success for all student groups and meet rigorous standards of educational excellence.
America’s Best Schools Honor Roll recognizes schools that have outstanding achievement, effective leadership, inclusive school culture, high expectations for teaching and learning, and equitable outcomes for students. Honor Roll recognition signifies that each school has met NCUST’s demanding criteria and is a model of excellence in education.
O. Henry Elementary is a vibrant, inclusive learning community grounded in strong relationships, high expectations, and intentional systems that support the success of every student and educator. A culture of connection begins each morning with personalized greetings and emotional check-ins and extends into rigorous, student-centered classrooms built on trust. The school celebrates the whole child through recognition of achievement, growth, attendance, and core values, while offering joyful, inclusive experiences that honor creativity, language development, and cultural identity. Instruction is aligned to TEKS and ELPS, supported by weekly PLC collaboration, data-driven planning, and high-quality first instruction within a responsive MTSS framework. Gifted and Talented and Emergent Bilingual students receive targeted, high-expectation instruction and support. These practices have led to outstanding results, including all six TEA distinctions, strong academic and fine arts performance, successful ESL exits, and Teacher Incentive Allotment recognitions—making O. Henry a joyful, purposeful campus committed to growth, equity, and excellence.
Richardson Terrace Elementary is a high-performing campus grounded in a culture of care, leadership, and rigorous learning. Daily personal check-ins foster belonging, while leadership opportunities and enrichment programs build confidence and school pride. High expectations for all learners, supported by differentiated instruction, collaborative planning, and targeted interventions, result in strong academic growth and over 95% proficiency in early elementary reading and math. Students actively track their progress through goal setting and real-world learning experiences, supported by strong family engagement and a positive staff culture. These efforts have led to exceptional outcomes, including all six TEA distinctions in 2024–2025 and an 89/B accountability rating.
This recognition reflects the outstanding dedication and teamwork of educators, staff, students, and families who work together every day to create vibrant, student-centered school communities. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to both schools on this remarkable achievement! For a full list of the 2026 honor roll schools and more information about the award, visit NCUST’s official Honor Roll page: https://ncust.com/2026-honor-roll-schools/
