Fort Worth ISD families are weighing their options for next school year at a time when the district itself is facing significant change.
At the district’s annual Choice Expo, students and parents got a closer look at specialized programs offered across FWISD, from world languages to honors courses and opportunities to earn college credit.
The decision about where their children will learn comes against the backdrop of a state takeover and changes following Tuesday’s election.
Eighth grader Emilia Goodbaster came to the expo to do homework on her perfect high school.
“Yesterday I went on a tour of I.M. Terrell and I think that was my favorite school so far,” Emilia said.
Fellow student Nicolas Fuentes is finding his forte.
“I want to travel the world one day and I want to be able to understand people in other continents,” Fuentes said.
The Choice Expo gives families a chance to explore programs beyond the schools they would typically attend based on where they live.
Lynsey Charles, FWISD’s Innovation and School Choice executive director, said those programs allow students to broaden their options within the district.
“You may live in a particular area that would have your attendance, so only one particular set of schools,” Charles said. “But these programs transcend that. We have to transport students within our district to any of these schools for these programs.”
Families who aren’t currently enrolled in the district were also there.
“We have a range of programs that we’re advertising to all families that live in the district, and even students that maybe live outside the district that are interested in our schools, or many families that have exercised other choice options,” Charles said.
The expo marked the first day of the enrollment window for the programs for the next school year, which can also be viewed online.
For Emilia’s parents, Yavira and Cameron Goodbaster, the choice is about more than finding the right high school. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the state takeover, they say they remain committed to Fort Worth ISD and public education.
“You know, we can’t give up,” Yavira Goodbaster said. “As a Latina woman, as someone who went to public school, and also hopefully as a social worker in future, I can’t not do anything about it. And so, taking her away from public schools I think would only make matters worse.”
A spokesperson for the school district said state takeover or not, this expo happens every year to show families what Fort Worth ISD has to offer.
They pointed to some families even attending from other school districts because they were interested in FWISD’s options.
The Goodbasters said Tuesday’s election also left them feeling more invested in what comes next for public education.
“From a FWISD perspective, we’re really excited about the changes that we hope come of this recent election,” Cameron Goodbaster said, adding that he hopes to see greater investment in public schools.
While the adults focus on the future of public education, they hope Emilia can focus on her own.
“I think I might want to be a child psychologist, or some form of helping other people,” Emilia said.
