RISD is proud to announce that Richardson Terrace Elementary and O. Henry Elementary have both been named to the 2026 AMERICA’S BEST SCHOOLS Honor Roll by the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST). This national recognition honors schools that demonstrate strong evidence of academic success for all student groups and meet rigorous standards of educational excellence.
America’s Best Schools Honor Roll recognizes schools that have outstanding achievement, effective leadership, inclusive school culture, high expectations for teaching and learning, and equitable outcomes for students. Honor Roll recognition signifies that each school has met NCUST’s demanding criteria and is a model of excellence in education.
O. Henry Elementary is a vibrant, inclusive learning community grounded in strong relationships, high expectations, and intentional systems that support the success of every student and educator. A culture of connection begins each morning with personalized greetings and emotional check-ins and extends into rigorous, student-centered classrooms built on trust. The school celebrates the whole child through recognition of achievement, growth, attendance, and core values, while offering joyful, inclusive experiences that honor creativity, language development, and cultural identity. Instruction is aligned to TEKS and ELPS, supported by weekly PLC collaboration, data-driven planning, and high-quality first instruction within a responsive MTSS framework. Gifted and Talented and Emergent Bilingual students receive targeted, high-expectation instruction and support. These practices have led to outstanding results, including all six TEA distinctions, strong academic and fine arts performance, successful ESL exits, and Teacher Incentive Allotment recognitions—making O. Henry a joyful, purposeful campus committed to growth, equity, and excellence.
This recognition reflects the outstanding dedication and teamwork of educators, staff, students, and families who work together every day to create vibrant, student-centered school communities. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to both schools on this remarkable achievement! For a full list of the 2026 honor roll schools and more information about the award, visit NCUST’s official Honor Roll page: https://ncust.com/2026-honor-roll-schools/
