Dallas Independent School District
09/24/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/24/2026 08:31
Dallas ISD News: Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy creates a culture that drives top-tier attendance
Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy creates a culture that drives top-tier attendance
Editor's note: Spanish story included below
DALLAS - At Sudie Williams Talented and Gifted Academy, school is an immersive experience where learning feels meaningful and vibrant.
"School is about more than just going from class to class and getting your work done," Emily Brokaw, principal, said. "We create moments for our students to be celebrated, not only for attending school or passing a STAAR test, but for how they're growing as learners, in their leadership skills, and investing their talents and gifts into the community."
Since 2022, Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy maintained an A rating, earning all seven possible state distinction designations from Texas Education Agency. It also ranks fourth in Dallas ISD for campus attendance.
Brokaw says the two achievements are directly connected: when students feel valued and excited about their environment, academic performance naturally follows.
"You can't benefit from a great school environment and a great education if you're not present," she said. "We want to see students grow as learners and leaders, and the best way for us to do that is to have them not only show up to school, but give them a school community where they can find a sense of belonging and identity."
Culture at Sudie TAG is created through intentional work, like school traditions, in-school clubs, and the house system. In-school clubs differ from after-school programming by offering kids a chance to relax during the school day in a non-competitive environment.
From e-sports and Legos to podcasting and book clubs, students can learn hair styling and esthetics at Sudie Salon, knit with their principal in Sudie Stitchers, or step outside to the parking lot where a teacher-led car club teaches basic automotive care.
Open to elementary and middle school students, these 45-minute periods allow students to try new things and pour into their passions.
The house system, which was introduced in 2018, offers a sense of purpose and responsibility for all students to build character, leadership, and community. And, after years of being in a space where they feel welcome, Sudie Williams' eighth graders transition to high school fully confident in their identity and eager to pursue their passions.
"We don't just view culture building as between teachers and students; we expand that to our whole community and create opportunities for them to invest in Sudie and learn what makes every day a 'Super Day at Sudie.' It is a special five years in a student's life where they view school as a place where they're cared about," Brokaw said.
Spanish story:
Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy fomenta cultura escolar que lleva a excelente asistencia escolar
DALLAS - En Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy, la escuela es una experiencia inmersiva en que el aprendizaje es significativo y dinámico.
"Es más que solo ir de clase en clase y hacer tareas", dijo Emily Brokaw, directora. "Creamos momentos para que los estudiantes sean celebrados, no solo por asistir a la escuela o aprobar un examen STAAR, sino también por la manera en que desarrollan sus habilidades de aprender, liderar e invertir sus talentos y dones en la comunidad".
Desde el 2022, Sudie TAG ha mantenido una calificación de A y obtenido todas las siete distinciones estatales de la Agencia de Educación de Texas. También está en cuarto lugar en Dallas ISD en cuanto a asistencia escolar.
Brokaw dice que ambos logros están vinculados: cuando los estudiantes se sienten valorados y emocionados por su entorno, su rendimiento académico también se ve favorecido.
"Uno no puede beneficiarse de un gran entorno escolar y una buena educación si no está presente", dijo Brokaw. "Queremos ver a los estudiantes crecer en su aprendizaje y liderazgo, y la mejor manera de hacerlo es que vengan a la escuela y que les demos una comunidad en que puedan encontrar un sentido de pertenencia e identidad".
La cultura de Sudie TAG nace gracias a esfuerzos deliberados, como las tradiciones escolares, clubes organizados en el plantel y el sistema de las "casas", o agrupaciones de estudiantes.
Los clubes se distinguen de los programas extraescolares al ofrecer a los estudiantes la oportunidad de relajarse durante el día escolar en un entorno no competitivo. Además de deportes electrónicos, Legos, pódcasts y grupos de lectura, los estudiantes pueden aprender peluquería y estética en Sudie Salon, tejer con su directora en Sudie Stitchers o salir al estacionamiento donde se reúne el club de carros a aprender sobre el mantenimiento de vehículos de la mano de un maestro designado.
El sistema de casas, iniciado en 2018, inculca un sentido de propósito y responsabilidad a los estudiantes para que formen su carácter, liderazgo y comunidad. Y, después de estar años en un espacio donde se sienten bienvenidos, los estudiantes de octavo grado pasan a preparatoria seguros de su identidad y ansiosos por perseguir sus pasiones.
"No solo fomentamos una cultura entre docentes y estudiantes, sino entre toda la comunidad, y creamos oportunidades para que todos puedan invertir en Sudie y saber qué hace que todos los días aquí sean maravillosos. Son cinco años especiales en la vida de los estudiantes, años en que ven la escuela como un lugar donde saben que los demás se interesan por ellos", dijo Brokaw.
Dallas Independent School District published this content on September 24, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 24, 2026 at 14:32 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]