students are on reduced and free lunch. So we know that help beyond academics and the classroom is really important for our students to be successful in our schools.” PLANNING FOR GROWTH Dickinson ISD currently serves approximately 12,500 students, but projections indicate that the number could grow to 20,000 within the next decade. Much of the growth is tied to new housing in the Texas City area, driven by industries such as oil, gas, and petroleum. This growth requires planning, and a 2023 bond is funding two major projects that are set to open in August 2026. The first is a new pre-K through fifth grade elementary school in a fast growing Texas City neighborhood. “It is right in the heart of the homes that are in that area, and so we’re super excited about that elementary school,” relays Dr. Brown. Another exciting addition is a new state of the art Career and Technical Education center located next to Dickinson High School.“We are planning for future jobs and future development for students in terms of robotics, health science, technology,” she says.“We are super excited about these two buildings with the bond that we had, because our goal is always to plan for the future. We see the immediate needs, but the immediate needs are just part of the planning.” STEM, CTE AND HANDS ON-OPPORTUNITIES At Dickinson ISD, students are exposed to STEM in the early grades, allowing them to explore their interests long before they begin selecting formal career pathways. “Our program focuses on student interaction and interactive activities. It is really about discovery,” Dr. Brown says. “In our district, STEM is a combination of our fine arts, performing arts, as well as our math and science. But it is also lighting that fire in our students to see beyond what’s on the paper and to discover ideas, to look at what is, and what could be.” One of the defining principles of the district is that every student graduates with a plan. The intent is to prepare learners for the next step, whether that is a four-year university, military service, a technical 232 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
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