Two Ysleta ISD schools – Glen Cove Elementary and Presa Elementary – made history Thursday as the first schools in El Paso to win the state’s distinguished 2026 Lone Star Ribbon Schools designation for outstanding academic achievements and sustained student success.

The two A-rated campuses are among just 25 public schools statewide selected by Gov. Greg Abbott as 2026 Lone Star Ribbon Schools, recognizing their commitment to strong instruction, high expectations and creating opportunities for every student to thrive.

A Historic Moment for Ysleta ISD

“This is an incredibly proud moment for us,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Xavier De La Torre. “To win this kind of prestigious recognition from the state of Texas – and to be the first in the El Paso region to achieve this success – is a huge point of pride for our students, families, teachers, and leaders at these exceptional schools.

“Without a doubt, both Glen Cove Elementary and Presa Elementary have demonstrated what can happen when a school community believes in every student’s potential,” Dr. De La Torre added.

Results Families Can Trust

In recent years, Presa and Glen Cove elementary schools have built a strong record of academic excellence. Both campuses have earned an “A” rating from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the past five years, received all six TEA Distinction Designations—in reading/language arts, math, science, academic growth, closing achievement gaps and postsecondary readiness—in 2026, and regularly win spots on the annual Texas Honor Roll. Both have also been ranked among El Paso’s top schools in the Annual Texas School Rankings by the research group Children At Risk.

A High Bar for Excellence

Established by Governor Abbott in 2025, the Lone Star Ribbon Schools program replaced the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools program. To qualify, campuses must:

·       Earn an overall “A” rating in the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) A-F accountability program;

·       Demonstrate strong performance across state accountability measures; and

·       Show consistent student achievement on state assessments.

“Young Texans are the future of our state, and it is critical that they have access to a high-quality education,” Gov. Abbott said. “We will invest in the students, teachers, staff, and parents who are essential to building a bigger, brighter Texas for generations to come.”

For more information on Lone Star Ribbon Schools, visit https://tea.texas.gov/school-and-district-leaders/accountability/lone-star-ribbon-schools