Fort Worth ISD Partners with Texas Wesleyan to Turn Around Struggling Middle School.

FORT WORTH, TX—In a bold move to boost student success, the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) Board of Trustees has voted to hand over day-to-day operations of Leonard Middle School to Texas Wesleyan University, adding it to the district’s Leadership Academy Network.

Leonard Middle School has faced years of academic struggles, with just 17% of students scoring on grade level in reading and 8% in math on last year’s state test. Under the new partnership, the school will benefit from extended school hours, additional support, and stipends to attract top-performing teachers.

Since 2019, Fort Worth ISD has collaborated with Texas Wesleyan to oversee five Leadership Academy campuses through a partnership made possible through Senate Bill 1882, a 2017 law that incentivizes school districts to work with universities, nonprofits, or charter schools to improve struggling campuses.

For more details, visit the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.