McAllen ISD’s Thigpen-Zavala Elementary is one of just 13 schools nationwide, and the only one from the Rio Grande Valley, to be recognized by a national organization.
“It is my absolute pleasure to share that after an extensive review process and on-site visit, Thigpen-Zavala Elementary School has officially been selected as a 2026 America’s Best Schools Award Winner,” Greg Ottinger, Executive Director of the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST), wrote in a congratulatory letter. “This is an extraordinary accomplishment and one that your entire school community should celebrate with immense pride.”
This year, NCUST received a record number of applications from schools across the nation. From that highly competitive pool, only 25 schools were named to the Honor Roll, 17 advanced to Finalist status, and ultimately, just 13 schools were selected to receive the 2026 America’s Best Schools Award.
“Your school stood out, not only for its excellence and results, but for the culture, passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to students that our review team witnessed firsthand during our visit,” Ottinger said. “The impact your educators and staff are making on the lives of students was evident throughout every part of the process, and we are honored to recognize and celebrate your incredible work.”
Thigpen-Zavala serves a population in which 95 percent of its families meet low-income criteria. Despite this, the school has earned a state “A” rating for four straight years.
“I’m beyond proud to lead such an incredible team of dedicated educators and staff,” Thigpen-Zavala Principal Marisela Chapa said. “This recognition is far more than an award. It is a testament to the culture we have built, the passion we pour into our work, and the unwavering commitment we show to our students and families.”
Thigpen-Zavala has cultivated a high-performing, student-centered environment where strong relationships, cultural pride, and shared purpose create lasting success. A defining strength of the campus is its stable and collaborative staff culture, where educators are supported through professional learning, recognition, and collective ownership of student outcomes.
This positive environment extends to students and families, fostering a sense of belonging that has strengthened engagement and encouraged families to remain connected to the school community.
Thigpen-Zavala pairs this culture of support with rigorous, data-informed instruction designed to ensure growth for every learner. Through targeted intervention and enrichment blocks, individualized supports, project-based learning, and ongoing progress monitoring, students are empowered to take ownership of their achievement while engaging in grade-level rigor.
Collaborative planning, strong instructional practices, and continuous refinement of teaching strategies have contributed to sustained academic growth, four consecutive “A” ratings from the Texas Education Agency, and repeated distinctions for achievement and closing learning gaps. The result is a thriving school community where high expectations, innovation, and care work together to help every student excel.
School officials will be invited to present at the 2027 America’s Best Schools Symposium in San Diego on March 9-10, 2027. The symposium will provide an opportunity for educators and leaders from across the country to learn from the school’s best practices and help spread the word about the amazing work happening within the Thigpen-Zavala school community.
Thigpen-Zavala was one of just three Texas schools to be named to the list.
About McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD is a 2025 winner of the state’s highest rating of an “A” grade and a 2025 winner of the state’s Postsecondary Readiness Distinction. The district is home to 31 campuses and approximately 19,500 students. To learn more about McAllen ISD’s schools and programs, contact Student Outreach at 956-687-MISD (6473).
About NCUST
NCUST started in 2005 as the vision of then-president of San Diego State University (SDSU), Stephen Weber, and then-dean of the SDSU College of Education, Lionel “Skip” Meno. Both men envisioned SDSU playing a constructive role in improving urban education throughout the nation. With a generous $2.4 million gift from QUALCOMM, Inc., they established NCUST. The first five schools were awarded in May 2006 at the center’s first symposium. Visit https://ncust.com/.