Thrall Independent School District

Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow

Introducing innovation and forward-thinking educational principles to best prepare students

Just 45 miles northeast of Austin, Thrall Independent School District is embracing the innovations of a changing world while preserving the rich community heritage. The district serves approximately 927 students across its three campuses, where ALL learners receive the benefits of small class sizes, and holistic support, while also engaging in a variety of carefully crafted learning experiences to prepare them for future success. 

 “We’re a culture of high expectations,” Superintendent Tommy Hooker shares. “Innovative curriculum and academics, along with the vocational programs are important. We have a vision for facility support, a vision for growth, expectations, and programs. We have a district financial plan to support not only the facilities, but also the curriculum.” He adds that the district utilizes the “Capturing Kids Hearts” model, to instill a culture of connectedness and teamwork between students, staff, and leadership.

Building the Best Start in Education

Thrall’s youngest learners begin their journey in a full day pre-K classroom led by certified teachers, a program that was initiated several years ago. “We knew we needed to start in that area and get our students off of devices at home and bring them to school,” Hooker explains. The program blends early academics with active play and hands-on learning, creating a seamless entry into Kindergarten and beyond. 

“Our kids at the elementary school still use a full playground, equipped with much space, synthetic turf, and rubber base for limiting fall hazards. Students have play time built into their schedule daily. This enhances the foundation for learning,” Hooker notes. For all elementary students, physical activity is prioritized, with daily PE programming. “They need to have that as part of their health and wellness. We go above and beyond the state requirements for physical activity and have built a fully functioning gym for our elementary students in the recent construction updates,” he asserts. 

As part of the whole child approach, weekly lessons in social/emotional learning are also provided. “We have a big focus on SEL in the elementary grades,” says Academic Dean, Abigail Gola. “That’s where you have to really start developing that social emotional awareness and emotional intelligence, down at the pre-K through fourth and fifth grade levels.”

Thrall ISD provides an all-inclusive approach to educating students.  Each campus now has a fully functional life skills suite for our students.  The classroom blends an instructional setting with a fully adaptive functional classroom.  Recognizing the importance of both settings allows the teachers to meet our students’ needs in an all-inclusive environment.  Each campus has created a sensory lab for students to utilize as needed each day. We attribute student growth to our top-notch staff and a culture that fosters inclusivity.  

Technology with Intention

Thrall ISD takes a balanced approach to technology, making sure students are ready for a digital future while also engaging in hands-on learning experiences. By middle school, students are fully immersed in one to one device use, with offerings like photography and a typing course to hone in on their technology skills. “Our technology director is committed to making sure that every class is equipped and has access to all technology needs, and any apps and programs or new resources are kept up to date, because technology is ever changing,” Gola emphasizes. 

Artificial intelligence is another area the district is addressing head on. Teachers participate in training on the ethical use of AI in the classroom, and systems such as Go Guardian are in place to monitor student’s technology use. “We are going to be doing think tanks with leaders, because we are going to be challenged to use AI in a more productive way than to disregard it,” underscores Superintendent Hooker. “I think it’s just another one of those areas that has made it here, and we’re going to make it as positive as we can.”

 Career Pathways for Every Student

Thrall High School provides students with a wide range of career pathways designed to prepare them for both college and the workforce, with an emphasis on real world learning. “We have a program through Temple College in biomedical science where juniors and seniors can earn their associate’s degree,” Principal Nicole Tindol details. “We also collaborate with a plumbing apprenticeship program, and this year we are hosting it on our campus. One of our former students, who now owns his own business, is actually going to be our instructor leading our kids through that.”

The district offers programs in graphic design, business, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and media. “We have a really good practicum here that is actually a business the kids have formed, where they make the products, and they sell the products. This program is called Practically Purple (to promote spirit!) and has their own store space added during the Bond 2022. They created an online presence, and it’s student run, student led, and a sponsor works with the kids through that,” describes Tindol. 

Students interested in social media, advertising, and marketing can also take part in Tiger Media where they are involved in media broadcasting, selling Tiger spirit gear, and interviewing students. “They create content that right now is primarily focused in different athletic avenues in our district, and they post that content,” she expands. 

Thrall ISD’s exceptional range of options also includes certifications in areas like nursing assistant, welding, and veterinary technician, where students learn from a working veterinarian. The goal of these offerings is to prepare graduates for either future education or careers right out of high school. CTE Director, Christina Strnad acknowledges, “Some of these programs we have are in their infancy. Our nursing program, the ultimate goal would be to have a clinical setting. Our plumbing kids are already doing it. And you know, in a small school, as those programs grow the first year it might be one or two kids, and then the next year more kids are added.” Superintendent Hooker states, “Our instructor now is our 1st ever master plumber who gained certification while in HS.” 

Safety and Wellbeing at the Forefront

Safety is a top priority at Thrall ISD, and every effort is made to make sure schools are secure but welcoming for students. Superintendent Hooker highlights, “As far as the safety goes we have utilized every bit of our resources from the state, and then we went beyond that call. We actually wrote for grants. We have one of the best safety coordinators in the state. He came out of the EMT world, worked for Williamson county and was not ready to retire, but we challenged him to come and be a part of our team and prioritize our safety plan.” 

The district has changed their policy to include locked doors, scissor gates at shops, secure fencing, shatterproof glass, and top-tier cameras, purchasing the Verkada product. Staff are also trained to respond to medical emergencies. “We want to make sure that when parents drop their students off at Thrall Schools, they can know they are safe,” stresses Hooker. “Our most recent survey showed 97% of parents and staff feel that we’re at high safety. I want this to show 100%.”  Thrall ISD utilizes products such as the Centegix Alert system for lockdowns and safety procedures to protect students and staff.

Mental health and emotional support are equally emphasized. Gola says, “We have some fantastic counselors at each of our campuses. They do a great job of implementing and planning an intentional comprehensive school counseling program, and they provide a multi-tiered system of support.” Counselors provide lessons on social skills, mental health, leadership, bullying, and suicide prevention. “They also do group counseling and individual counseling as student needs arise, and these are all preventatively, not just reactive,” she recounts. 

The district offers interagency support through partnerships with Impact Counseling Services, who work with students and families with more complex needs. “We also have Millie, our district therapy dog, who is housed at the elementary with our elementary counselor. Anytime we have students who have needs, whether they are anxious or simply struggling, or if we have district wide needs, she’s been really great,” says Gola. “With our principals and our teachers and staff we also try to provide family engagement activities, to make sure that we build the connection between the school and the community as well.”

Looking Ahead

Thrall Independent School District has completed its 2022 bond projects, which included new facilities at the high school and elementary campuses and a fully renovated middle school. “We feel like we have the best teachers and leaders for our programs,” boasts Superintendent Hooker. “We have passionate support by our school board to meet the needs that our teachers and our students bring to the table, and they are committing those resources without hesitation to provide support. Additionally, Thrall ISD has stellar community support for our students to aspire in their chosen endeavors and provide the best facilities in Central Texas!”

He says the district will also be adapting to a shifting local economy, as companies like Samsung and Tesla increase their presence in the region. Data Centers and the railroad system are bringing opportunities for shipping cargo out to other parts of the nation as well. “We have realized that we’re moving off of the farm with our community,” he imparts. “Not that we’re going away from farming. It’s just that the majority of our students will not be farming in the future quite like we know it. They will be doing more technology and industry-based work if they live in this area.” With a clear plan and strong support, Thrall Independent School District is equipping students for lifelong success.

At a Glance

Who: Thrall Independent School District

What: A small but forward-thinking school district with aspiring students

Where: Eastern Williamson County, Texas

Website: www.thrallisd.org