Pasadena, TX— Richey Elementary School was named a 2026 Model Professional Learning Community (PLC) School at Work by Solution Tree, an international organization that celebrates schools demonstrating sustained success in improving student achievement through collaboration and data-driven practices. This honor highlights Richey Elementary’s strong commitment to collaboration, high expectations and measurable results for students.

Richey Elementary’s transformation was driven by intentional systems that supported both students and staff. Teachers led collaborative PLC teams, regularly analyzed student data and adjusted instruction to meet learning needs. The school’s structured intervention block, “Eagle Time” (Exceeding Academic Goals and Learning Expectations), provided targeted enrichment and support across academic, behavioral and social-emotional areas.

As a result of this work, the school improved its accountability rating from near a C in 2022 to a overall B for the 2024–25 school year.

The Richey campus leadership team, including Assistant Principal Nadia Maldonado, School Counselor Noel Becerra, RLA Curriculum Coordinators Florimae Belvis and Yasahira Valdez, and Math Curriculum Coordinator Amanda Lam, played a critical role in guiding this work. Under Principal Zapata’s leadership, the team established strong systems for collaboration, supported teachers in using data to drive instruction and ensured the PLC process was embedded across the campus.

As a newly recognized Model PLC school, Richey Elementary continues to build on its guiding vision: “Richey is a Great Place to Learn.” The campus remains committed to deepening its PLC practices and ensuring every student achieves at high levels.