period. Whether in Corpus Christi, South Texas, or across the United States, our goal is to provide pathways and opportunities for every student, from our youngest learners to our adult graduates.” DUAL LANGUAGE, DUAL ADVANTAGE At the foundation of TMISD’s success is an innovative Dual Language Initiative (DLI) that begins in pre-K and continues through elementary school. Designed to celebrate the district’s cultural richness—where over 80 percent of students come from Hispanic backgrounds—the program develops full bilingual proficiency in both English and Spanish by fifth grade. “Instead of taking away their native language, we celebrate it,” says VanMatre. “We teach English speakers Spanish and Spanish speakers English. In our community, being bilingual and biliterate isn’t just an advantage—it’s an economic asset.” David Crabtree, principal at the district’s primary campus, sees the program as transformative. “It’s strengthening families,” he explains.“Many Englishspeaking parents tell us their own parents spoke Spanish, and they regret not learning it. Now their children are bringing that language and culture back into the home—and it’s connecting generations.” The program now encompasses nearly 20 percent of the school’s enrollment, with students mastering reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both languages by the time they finish fifth grade.“They’re learning to express themselves across cultures,” Crabtree says. “It’s not just about vocabulary—it’s about connection.” WARPATH ACADEMY: COLLEGE AND CAREER CONVERGE At the secondary level, TMISD’s Warpath Academy has become a model for career and college readiness, offering students both dual-credit academic courses and industry certifications—all at no cost. “We’ve built partnerships with Texas A&M University–Kingsville, Coastal Bend College, and Del Mar College,” says Gabe Alvarado, TMISD High School Principal. “Right now, more than 500 of our 1,068 students are enrolled in college-level courses. That’s over 50 percent of our high school students 373 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 TULOSO-MIDWAY ISD
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