Dear Round Rock ISD Community,
The path to college and career readiness doesn’t begin in high school. It starts with the learning and opportunities we provide our students at every grade level.
One of the things I’m most proud of in Round Rock ISD is the way we challenge students to reach beyond what they think they can do. Many of our fifth-grade students are already taking sixth-grade math, and some are already taking seventh-grade math, allowing them to stretch their thinking and build their skills. Students who demonstrate strong performance on their math assessment are also opted into advanced math pathways when they transition to middle school, with some completing Algebra I and Geometry by eighth grade. This helps students continue to build on their strengths and challenge themselves.
Take a look at the sample math problem below. It offers a glimpse into the problem-solving and reasoning our fifth-grade students are developing.
Avery and Mason are both swimming laps in the same swimming pool.
- Avery can swim 3 laps in 2 minutes.
- Mason can swim 5 laps in 4 minutes.
Based on these rates, which statement is NOT true?
F. Avery can swim 6 laps in 4 minutes.
G. Mason can swim 2.5 laps in 2 minutes.
H. Avery can swim 2 laps farther than Mason in 8 minutes.
J. Mason can swim 0.5 laps farther than Avery in 2 minutes.
Strong math skills do more than prepare students for the next grade level. They build the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills students will continue to use as they take on increasingly advanced coursework in middle and high school. And those skills can open doors.
Our Early College High School program, for example, gives students the opportunity to earn an associate degree alongside their high school diploma. In our P-TECH Nursing Prep Early College High School, students can combine high school coursework with college and career experiences that lead to health care industry-recognized credentials. Both Early College High School and P-TECH are currently accepting applications from current eighth-graders for the 2027-28 school year, giving students the opportunity to explore their interests and get a head start on their future.
ECHS Principal Dr. Elizabeth Wilson and I with two Round Rock ISD students who earned their diploma and ACC degree while in high school. ECHS has four free Associate Degrees to choose from. Learn more about ECHS and apply for 2027-28.
Hands-on learning helps our P-TECH nursing students prepare for high demand health care careers. Learn more about P-TECH and apply for 2027-28.
Students can also pursue career and technical education certifications, International Baccalaureate coursework, dual credit, Advanced Placement, and other advanced academic opportunities that can help them get a head start on college or career.
These programs all look different, but they share an important idea: the work students do today can expand the choices they have tomorrow. We want every student to see a future filled with possibilities and to have the skills, support, and confidence to turn “What if?” into “What’s possible?”
And if you worked through the problem above, the answer is J!
Respectfully,
Dr. Hafedh "AZ" Azaiez
Proud Superintendent of Schools
Contact me