Academic Curriculum and Awards

📘 Our Academic Curriculum

Our academic program is aligned with the Dallas ISD curriculum and fully supports the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards. We utilize high-quality, research-based instructional resources to ensure our students are engaged, challenged, and supported at every level:

Amplify Reading and Language Arts
Eureka Math

These curricula promote deep conceptual understanding, strong foundational skills, and critical thinking, preparing students to thrive academically today and well into the future.

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

At Celestino Mauricio Soto Jr. Elementary, we take pride in our commitment to academic excellence, student leadership, and building a culture of high expectations and inclusion. Our school has earned several prestigious honors that reflect the dedication of our students, staff, families, and community.

⭐ A-Rated Campus

We are proud to be an A-rated school by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) — a recognition of our strong academic performance, student progress, and closing of achievement gaps. This rating reflects the hard work of our teachers and the high expectations we hold for every student.

🌟 Leader in Me Lighthouse School (2022–Present)

As a Leader in Me Lighthouse School, CM Soto Jr. Elementary is recognized for its exceptional implementation of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and its dedication to cultivating student leadership.
Lighthouse certification is the highest honor in the Leader in Me framework and is awarded to schools that demonstrate:

A strong culture of student empowerment
A focus on whole-child learning
Measurable academic and personal growth

This distinction shows that leadership is not just something we teach—it’s something we live every day.

🥇 2024–2025 Gold Ribbon School

We are honored to be named a Gold Ribbon School by Children at Risk, a distinction awarded to traditional public schools that are high-performing despite high economic need.

This award celebrates our ability to overcome challenges, close opportunity gaps, and ensure all students succeed, academically, socially, and emotionally.

🎖️ What These Awards Mean

These recognitions affirm our mission to provide a safe, engaging, and empowering environment where students are encouraged to LEAD—Listen to Understand, Express Kindness, Achieve Goals, and Demonstrate Responsibility.

They reflect our school's unwavering commitment to:

Equity in education
Leadership development
Academic achievement
Family and community involvement

We are proud of our progress and even more excited about the future we’re building together.