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Fort Worth ISD Announces New Partnership with PLA for J. Martin Jacquet Middle School

School will be known as the Phalen Leadership Academy at J. Martin Jacquet Middle School 

 

 

The Fort Worth ISD Board of Education on Tuesday night approved a new partnership with Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA), to deliver additional educational resources and targeted support for more than 600 students at J. Martin Jacquet Middle School. 

Jacquet is currently identified as a Tier 4, Improvement Required (IR) campus by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The partnership is designed to deliver immediate support and create a positive transformation that benefits both students, staff and the Jacquet community.  

PLA will take responsibility for day-to-day activities at Jacquet Middle School starting in the fall of 2021 and will be accountable for the school’s academic and financial performance. The school’s name will change to the Phalen Leadership Academy at J. Martin Jacquet Middle School.

“We firmly believe that every student can succeed and thrive, given the right learning environment,” said Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Kent P. Scribner. “The Phalen Leadership Academy has an impressive track record that will deliver strong results as we prepare every student for college, career and community leadership.

Under the new contract, Jacquet Middle School will remain a Fort Worth ISD school, rooted in the Paul Laurence Dunbar community and the ideals of the school’s namesake James Martin Jacquet. The school staff will remain Fort Worth ISD employees.  

Fort Worth ISD has a proven track record with such partnerships. In 2019, the District signed a performance agreement with Texas Wesleyan University to operate and manage the Leadership Academy Network (LAN), a partnership designed to sustain significant school improvements at five elementary and middle schools – the Leadership Academies at Como Elementary, John T. White Elementary, Maude I. Logan Elementary, Mitchell Boulevard Elementary and Forest Oak Middle School. 

“The PLA academic model is focused on increasing achievement for historically underserved students by providing a rigorous, personalized and well-rounded experience,” said Dr. David Saenz, Fort Worth ISD Chief Innovation Officer. 

Earl Martin Phalen, Founder, and CEO of Phalen Leadership Academies, states the PLA models rigorous curriculum; high-quality professional development; a coaching cycle that develops teachers; enrichment opportunity for scholars; eLearning options, and authentic partnerships with parents and communities. 

PLA currently serves over 10,000 scholars at 22 schools across the country, including an elementary and middle school in Beaumont ISD.