District Highlights
We're 'Better Together' at University Academy!
This hardworking group has been practicing, studying, and supporting one another—showing exactly what Patriot pride looks like. Congratulations to all our participants!
December 2025 -
UA-Longview World History adventurers brought the Middle Ages to life at this year’s
Renaissance Faire!
From jousts and jesters to creative crafts and castle-themed fun, our students put history on display—and absolutely nailed it.
November 2025 - Alumni spotlight!
Theoren Stroud, UA-Tyler and UT Tyler alum (electrical engineering) took top honors
at the Texas Tech University Innovation Hub iLaunch Competition as a member of the
Fire AI team. Fire AI is the winning startup that leverages artificial intelligence
for advanced fire detection and prevention. The Fire AI team competed against 51 teams
to land the $10,000 prize. Congratulations Theoren!
Each campus hosted a "Pack the Pantry" drive to support those in need in their local
communities. Each campus reported banner amounts of donations this year!
We are truly grateful for the opportunity to give back to the communities that support our students and our academy. Thank you for making a difference!
October 2025 - UA-Longview celebrates Kindness Week!
When you visit their campus, you'll see that every week is kindness week!
UA-Longview's annual 'Math Isn't So Scary' night is always a big hit!
Families enjoyed food, math games, and a trunk-or-treat.
October 2025 - Celebrating Mr. En-Tze Chong, who was one of only 15 educators nationwide selected as a PLTW Engineering Outstanding Teacher. He holds his undergraduate and master degrees from UT Tyler and is currently working on his doctorate. Mr. Chong has transformed teaching and learning across our region—launching regional engineering and robotics showcases at UT Tyler, and building powerful community partnerships. He also coaches UIL Speech & Debate, Robotics, the GLOBE Program, and guides students in entrepreneurship and ethics competitions. We are proud to recognize Mr. Chong for empowering students to lead, innovate, and connect their learning to real-world opportunities.
October 2025 - Ms. Davis's UA-Palestine 11th grade students complete a Forestry Bingo Card - from aquatic plants to mushrooms and moss, they are checking items off their list.
October 2025 - Big congratulations to Ms. Kayla Washington, UA-Tyler 2nd grade teacher,
on being named one of only 16 PLTW Launch Outstanding Teachers in the nation!
She’s transformed STEM learning for her 2nd graders through PLTW Launch, hands-on
projects, and creative tech like Google Slides and Scratch. Beyond the classroom,
she leads cheer, UIL, chess club, and more—impacting students across campus.
A two time degree earner from UT Tyler (undergraduate and master's), Ms. Washington
exemplifies STEM education.
We’re so proud of her innovation, leadership, and dedication.
Congratulations, Ms. Washington!
September 2025 - Mayor Jordan visited 6th and 7th grade health classes after students
wrote him letters with their ideas for Palestine’s future.
From volleyball courts and archery ranges to Raising Cane’s and trampoline parks,
our students dreamed big! Mayor Jordan answered questions, shared about his role,
and encouraged students to keep thinking like community leaders.
September 2025 - Alumni Spotlight! Melissa Hilbig (third from the right), a UA Class of 2025 alum, got a head start in research while still a senior at UA, working in UT Tyler Professor Banta’s biology lab. Now a freshman at UT Tyler, Melissa was invited back to continue her work alongside undergraduate and graduate students. Their research explores the presence of NTMs (Nontuberculous Mycobacteria) in East Texas and projects where they may occur in the future. Melissa’s story is a great example of how University Academy’s focus on STEM and Project-Based Learning prepares students to thrive and achieve at the college level.
August 2025 - UA-Tyler transformed an old space into a brand-new, innovative Art Room and PLTW Center!
Ms. McCullin and Ms. Parker are leading the way with creative, fun, and STEM-centered activities.
August 2025 - Swoop visits UA Tyler to welcome students back to school!
May 2025 - University Academy has, once again, received recognition from Project Lead The Way as a 2024-25 Distinguished District which recognizes districts across the U.S. for their efforts to provide broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW programs.
Fun Facts:
- UA is one of only 4 districts in Texas earning the Distinguished designation!
- UA has been a distinguished district every year since 2018!
- UA is one of only 28 Distinguished districts NATIONWIDE!
May 2025 - Congratulations to four seniors at UA Tyler who were welcomed into the UT Tyler Honors College for the 2025-2026 school year.
Melissa Hilbig, Sofia Garcia, and Hassan Danish each received the Honors Scholars Scholarship valued at $10,000 per year, and Mathew Deptula received the Honors Endowed Scholarship valued at $2,000 per year. Congratulations! We are excited to see where your future takes you!
May 2025 - Alumni Spotlight! Ian Orr, UA-Tyler Class of 2024, is making us proud! After graduating from University Academy, Ian went on to attend the University of Tulsa—where he was recently named one of just five Outstanding Freshmen!
This special recognition is awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance in a challenging program. Ian was nominated by one of his professors, who praised his "commitment to the great books of the Western tradition, to thoughtful discourse, and to our shared values as a College." Way to go, Ian—congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
March 2025 - Deputy McGruff stopped by the Palestine UA campus. Huge thanks to the Anderson County Sheriff's Office Palestine for sharing the pictures and spending time with our scholars!