More than a century later, Galveston Independent School District has embraced that same metaphor as its guiding vision. For Superintendent Dr. Matthew Neighbors, the phrase “Raise the Grade” speaks not only to academic performance, but to a communitywide effort to elevate opportunity, resilience, and long-term outcomes for every student on the island. “It represents what our community did after the 1900 storm,” he says.“They literally raised the ground to secure their future. We’re doing the same thing through education. We want to pour into our students and families in ways that will impact generations to come.” That vision is summed up in three commitments: elevating learning, valuing culture, and growing together. For a district serving approximately 6,500 students—80 percent of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch, the mission is both ambitious and deeply personal. It reflects a belief that education can change life trajectories and strengthen the island’s resilience for decades ahead. A SMALL ISLAND WITH BIG-CITY ADVANTAGES: Galveston remains one of the most unique municipalities in the country. With a resident population of roughly 50,000 but an influx of up to half a million visitors on peak days, the city operates with a scale and economic engine far beyond its size. Cruise terminals, maritime businesses, and tourism drive much of the local economy, while three highereducation institutions—Galveston College, Texas A&M University at Galveston, and the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)—provide rare opportunities in a community of this scale. That dynamic creates a powerful value proposition for young residents (not sure this is the right word here): access to jobs, access to higher education, and access to career pathways that do not require leaving the island. Galveston College’s two-year “free tuition” program for GISD graduates stands out as a transformative tool. For many students, it means finishing high school (college) with little to no debt, a stable job, and a clear runway toward future goals. “In our community, there is no reason a student who wants to work can’t work,” Neighbors notes.“To come from poverty and still have that level of opportunity is just extraordinary.” TECHNOLOGY AS A FOUNDATION FOR PERSONALIZED LEARNING: Galveston ISD is a longstanding one-to-one district, providing each student with a device from early childhood through high school. For younger students, 419 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01 GALVESTON ISD
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