 Christened El Paso del Norte (the Pass of the North) by Don Juan de Oñate in 1598, the fertile valley and surrounding mountains were the first all-weather path through the Rockies. The sun shines on El Paso 302 days per year or 83 percent of the daylight hours. Low humidity and moderate rainfall combine to create a year-round climate exclusive to the region. The Ysleta area was adjacent to the city of El Paso until the 1950's when it was incorporated into its larger neighbor. The name "Ysleta" comes from the "Isleta" Indians of northern New Mexico, a Pueblo Indian tribe that had resided in that area for a thousand years. Following the revolt in 1680, the portion of the Isleta Indian tribe struck out against their Spanish oppressors in what is now called the Pueblo Indian uprising. A group of Isleta Indians, loyal to the Spanish Colonial regiment, hastily left the area and trekked the nearly 400 miles to the El Paso area. With the substitution of a "Y" for an "I" the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo (Isleta of the South) was born. Over the next four centuries, waves of immigration into and through the area, from the north, south, east and west created the multi-cultural, bilingual community of El Paso, the 5th largest city in the state of Texas. When added to the 1.3 million persons residing in our sister city of Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, the El Paso-Juarez Interplex ranks as the largest bi-national community on any international border anywhere in the world.
From its beginnings in the 1930's as a rural education district with one high school and a handful of middle and elementary schools, the Ysleta Independent School District has grown into one of the major school districts in the state with nearly 50,000 students and 6000 administrators, teachers and staff. The district has 58 campuses, which sprawl through an urban area stretching from northeast El Paso to the East and Southeast areas of the city. A nationally recognized area of historic missions, homes and Indian settlements can be found within the district's boundaries. Within the Mission Trail can be found structures dating back to the early 1600's and which are among the oldest examples of European colonization in the United States.
Only a decade ago, YISD operated at state minimum achievement levels. But in the 90's, a major turnabout occurred, culminating in 1998 when the district harvested the fruits of years of effort and determination to become the first urban school district anywhere in the state to be named a "Recognized District" for student performance on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills test or TAAS. Year in and year out, YISD students continue to build on this achievement. Nine district schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools while eight others are National Title One Distinguished Campuses.
When it comes to high technology, the district is well on its way to putting every teacher, student and possibly every parent, on the Information Highway of Internet research, communication and exchange. Our Teacher Laptop Initiative is putting laptop computers in teacher's hands.
The Ysleta Independent School District stands as a monument to desire, persistence and determination. The "Ysleta Miracle" as it is known nationally has captivated the imagination and respect of educators and business leaders throughout the nation. As such, our staff is much sought after at educational conferences and summits nationally to provide the secret of how it was done. The major ingredient is no surprise; it is simply treating all children as individuals with the innate ability to learn and providing our teachers and support staff the guidance, support and encouragement to succeed. |
