DeSoto ISD and DeSoto High School Recognized with Dallas County Promise Economic Mobility Awards
From college readiness gains to economic mobility recognition, DeSoto ISD and DeSoto High School are turning measurable student success into award-winning momentum. During the Tuesday, May 26, 2026, regular meeting of the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees, district and campus leaders were recognized with multiple 2024–2025 Economic Mobility Awards through Dallas County Promise and the Economic Mobility Center (EMC) for record-setting growth in Texas Success Initiative (TSI) outcomes among the Class of 2025.
The awards recognize K-12 districts and high schools across the Dallas County Promise network for high levels of achievement and growth in Texas Success Initiative (TSI) assessment performance and college enrollment outcomes that support long-term economic mobility for students.
DeSoto ISD received the District TSI by Assessment Award along with a $2,000 recognition award for significant districtwide growth in TSI Met by Assessment outcomes among the Class of 2025. DeSoto High School also received the Campus TSI by Assessment Award and a $1,500 recognition award for campus-level growth in TSI outcomes.
The district and campus improved from a 27% TSI Met by Assessment rate among the Class of 2024 to 42% among the Class of 2025, a 15-percentage-point increase that exceeded the Dallas County Promise growth threshold by nearly four times. The 42% TSI Met rate also marked the highest level achieved by DeSoto High School in the past five years.
Additionally, DeSoto High School Associate Principal Verlean West was recognized as Campus Leader of the Year for TSI Excellence for her leadership in advancing college readiness initiatives and supporting the record-setting outcomes achieved by the Class of 2025.
“These recognitions reflect the intentional work, collaboration, and commitment of our educators, counselors, campus leaders, and district teams who continue to expand opportunities for our scholars,” said DeSoto High School Principal Dr. Leon Darden. “We are proud of the progress demonstrated by the Class of 2025 and grateful for the continued partnership and support of Dallas County Promise and the Economic Mobility Center.”
DeSoto ISD partners with the Economic Mobility Center to advance college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) outcomes through data activation, leadership coaching, strategic planning, and systems designed to improve measurable student outcomes. The partnership aligns directly with district priorities focused on college readiness, workforce development, industry-based certifications, dual credit attainment, and postsecondary success.
According to Dallas County Promise and EMC leadership, DeSoto ISD’s results placed the district among the highest-performing participants in the Dallas County Promise network for TSI assessment growth.
Selection for the Economic Mobility Awards was based on measurable achievement and improvement in TSI assessment outcomes and postsecondary enrollment metrics tied to economic mobility and workforce readiness. DeSoto ISD and DeSoto High School qualified under the TSI growth category by exceeding the established Dallas County Promise improvement benchmark of four percentage points.
District leaders noted that the achievement reflects a coordinated effort involving data-driven progress monitoring, expanded assessment preparation resources, CCMR-focused action planning, and strong collaboration among campus and district leadership teams.
The award funds will become available during the 2026–2027 school year. At the district level, allocation of the funds will be managed by the Superintendent, while campus-level funds will be managed by the DeSoto High School principal.
DeSoto ISD extends appreciation to Dallas County Promise, Dallas College, the Economic Mobility Center, and Commit Partnership for their continued collaboration and investment in student success and economic mobility pathways for scholars across the region.
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