October 9, 2025

Reminder: Early release tomorrow, no school Monday

All Northwest ISD schools will be closed Monday, October 13, following the early-release day on Friday, October 10. Enjoy the three-day weekend, and we look forward to the return of students on Tuesday!

For Friday's early release day, elementary schools will dismiss at 11:45 a.m., middle schools will dismiss at 12:55 p.m. and high schools will dismiss at 12:30 p.m. (Steele ECHS at 12:20 p.m.).

Visit the following links for the complete 2025-2026 calendar and school hours.

Academy Nights for future CTE students start next week

In-person Academy Nights will be held across the district during the month of October, and all Northwest ISD middle school students and their families are invited to attend. This is the perfect opportunity for current eighth-grade students to see if an academy is the right choice for them! 

The Career and Technical Education department will host tours through the district's four high school academy facilities, providing an opportunity for interested students to visit with academy teachers and learn more about available programs.

Each Academy Night begins at 6 p.m.

• Northwest (October 15) - Construction, Cosmetology*, Creative Media & Production, STEM
• Eaton (October 20) - Aviation, Business Management & Entrepreneurship
• Byron Nelson (October 22) - Biomedical Sciences, Culinary Arts & Hospitality

*Note: 10th grade students interested in the Cosmetology Academy are invited to attend Academy Night at Northwest High School.

Learn more at www.nisdtx.org/academies.

HBCU Night is next week

Northwest ISD is hosting a Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Night on Wednesday, October 15, at Eaton High School at 6:30 p.m.

This event is open to all and hosted in partnership with Pragmatic Prodigies with support from Charles Schwab Bank. Attendees will connect with HBCU alumni, attend parent and student informational breakout sessions, learn about traditionally black sororities and fraternities, discover potential scholarships and talk to HBCU admissions representatives.

Schedule

6:30 p.m. - Student & Parent Sessions

7 p.m. - Greek Alumni Panel

7:30 p.m. - College Fair

WATCH: Middle School Fine Arts Update

If approved by voters, Northwest ISD plans to use a portion of Proposition A funding to restore middle school assistant directors in band and choir, which were cut following staffing reductions. This change would also restore some cut courses at the high school level, pending student interest. Learn more at www.nisdtx.org/election.

Early voting begins on October 20; Prop A is on the ballot

Northwest ISD has called an operations funding election to provide voters with the opportunity to decrease class sizes in exchange for a 3-cent increase to the tax rate. Because of continued tax rate compression, voter approval of the measure would still result in a tax rate decrease from 2024. Combined with a $40,000 increase to the homestead exemption, most homeowners are expected to pay less in property taxes in 2025.

If approved by voters, Proposition A would generate at least $12 million in new revenue. Of this, $8 million would be used to decrease class sizes across all campus levels and in fine arts programs. The remaining funding, $4 million, would be used on competitive compensation to retain and attract high-quality teachers and staff.

The operations funding election will appear as Proposition A for Northwest ISD on voters' ballots. A vote "for" the proposition means a voter is in favor of the election approval (decreased class sizes in exchange for a three-cent increase to the tax rate), while a vote "against" the proposition means the voter is against its approval.

Find out more, including links to voting location information, at www.nisdtx.org/election.

Students feedback needed for school food services

NISD students, your feedback is valuable and will help us improve the food service program at your school. By participating in our survey, you’ll help us build a dining program that meets the needs of all students and is enjoyable for everyone.

Parents, you can support your younger students by encouraging them to complete the survey and helping them if needed. Your involvement ensures that every student’s voice is heard!

More from NISD Child Nutrition

For more information from NISD Child Nutrition, including a look at October's limited-time offer, National School Lunch Week, and much more, view the Food for Thought newsletter.

NISD announces 24 National Merit Commended Students

Northwest ISD is proud to announce that 24 students from the Class of 2026 have been named Commended Students by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. 

Selection is based on Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) results. With this honor, some students may also qualify for corporate- and business-sponsored scholarships.

All of these students are part of an elite group of high school seniors nationwide who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. This announcement comes just days after five NISD students were named National Merit Semifinalists.

NISD Band Showcase puts top talent on display

All three comprehensive high school marching bands, plus all seven middle school bands, were on hand for NISD's annual Band Showcase last week!

High school bands performed their competition shows, then all students combined on the field for one big performance. Check out the full photo album for all the scenes from the incredible night!

Homecoming festivities wrap up this week

All three NISD comprehensive high schools have enjoyed celebrating their homecomings over the last three weeks!

Northwest is wrapping up the festivities this week. After a spirited parade and pep rally earlier this week, the Texans take on Keller Central tomorrow (Friday) at 7 p.m. at NISD Stadium in their homecoming game.

Eaton and Byron Nelson have already celebrated their homecomings with parades, pep rallies and games. Check out all of the photos below.

NISD officially dedicates Justin and Prairie View elementary schools

Northwest ISD celebrated the official dedications of Justin Elementary School and Prairie View Elementary School over the last couple of weeks.

The two replacement campuses feature the district's most recent elementary school design with unique collaboration areas and an easy-to-navigate layout. Collaborative learning areas throughout the school promote teamwork, while open spaces such as the library provide a sense of community where students of all grade levels can see their schoolmates taking part in classes and activities.

Each dedication ceremony featured student performances, special remarks from campus and district administrators, and student-led tours. Click below for photos from each ceremony.

NISD takes you Inside the Classroom

Northwest ISD's Inside the Classroom returns for the 2025-2026 school year! The series visits NISD campuses throughout the year and highlights the magical moments that happen between teachers and students.

The next two editions of Inside the Classroom featured Schluter Elementary School and Prairie View Elementary School. Click to learn how Keisha Morales and her art students got creative with Big Tex, or how Blanca Guerrero and her dual language first graders got completely immersed into a fun Hispanic tradition.

Stay tuned for upcoming editions of Inside the Classroom!

Win the ultimate golf weekend package

Get ready for the ultimate golf weekend with the Charles Schwab Challenge Experience at the legendary Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth!

Prize Package:

• Leonard’s Club Tickets for Saturday & Sunday (May 30–31, 2026)
• 5 Silver Parking Passes for both days
• Package Value: $9,756! 💸

You’ll enjoy exclusive access to Leonard’s Club amenities — food, drinks, and incredible views of the course. Learn more about Leonard's Club amenities by clicking here.

Raffle Details:

• 1 ticket for $100 or 6 tickets for $500
• Winner drawn Monday, November 10, 2025
• You do not need to be present to win

Help the new NEF Resource Store and Library

The Northwest ISD Education Foundation’s resource store and library provides support to NISD teachers and students through free resources and educational materials. NISD teachers can “shop” for school and classroom supplies, snack packs, books and more. All items are free to district educators! Already this year, more than 1,003 teachers have shopped the store at its new location and saved more than $250,000!

You can help by donating from the store’s online wishlist or the library wishlist. Immediate needs include books, tissues, and disinfecting wipes. You can also help by volunteering in the store! Volunteers help sticker and prep inventory, restock shelves and fulfill online requests from teachers. 

Mobile Food Pantry set for October 18

Due to construction in the area, the NISD monthly Mobile Food Pantry is changing location. Beginning on September 20, the monthly food pantry will move to Pike Middle School (2288 Texan Drive, Justin, 76247). Attendees can enter Texan Drive from FM 156 or TX 114. The Pike Middle School entrance is across the street from the previous pantry location. The pantry will remain a drive-thru service. Attendees should remain in their vehicle at all times, and food pantry staff will assist in the loading process.

The Mobile Food Pantry is a partnership between Northwest ISD, Tarrant Area Food Bank and the Northwest ISD Education Foundation. It is open on the third Saturday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. or until food runs out.

Time: 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, October 18

Location: Pike Middle School

2288 Texan Drive, Justin, 76247

Interested in volunteering at the monthly food markets? Sign up today!