District Highlights

We're 'Better Together' at University Academy!

October 2025 - UA-Longview celebrates Kindness Week!

When you visit their campus, you'll see that every week is kindness week!

Palestine Pepper Festival — October 2025 - University Academy–Palestine loved being part of the Hot Pepper Festival community event! Even our Interim Superintendent, Dr. Aimee Dennis, joined in on the fun—proudly carrying the UA banner! We’re so thankful to be part of such a vibrant and supportive community!

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!

biology lab students looking at x-rays — September 2025 - UA-Longview Human Body Systems students are diving into radiology! They practiced identifying different types of fractures on x-rays and did an amazing job naming both the fractures and the bones.

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.

students on sports court — September 2025 - Palestine students enjoy their Hootenanny Celebration on Fridays each month!

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.

forestry class looks at tree circles — August 2025 - UA-Palestine's 11th Grade Forestry class got hands-on with dendrochronology thanks to Forester Leo Gustafson from the Neches River Wildlife Refuge! Students learned how to “read” the growth rings of a tree to uncover its history—counting red oak samples that were between 25 and 29 years old. They also discovered the differences between heartwood and sapwood, spotted fungus beginning to decompose the tree, and even noticed insect holes in the outer rings. Mr. Gustafson shared fascinating insights into forest management, the importance of prescribed burning, and even gave a look at the protective gear he uses while felling trees and managing burns.

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 - Congratulations to Mr. Norris White, honored as Educator of the Year by the Palestine Chamber of Commerce! We are beyond proud to have him on our University Academy team. The final lines of his biography say it best: “Mr. Norris White is a rare and remarkable educator—a man of letters and of the land, of intellect and integrity. His legacy is etched not only in the academic achievements of his students, but in the seeds he has planted: of curiosity, discipline, and an unexplainably and insanely devoted love of an ice-cold Coke and a bag of Lay’s potato chips.”

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 Scholorship 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!

TASC award winners — May 2025 - Congratulations to three UA-Longview seniors, Mykayla Alvis, Hailey Johnson, and Baylee Mauer for winning the TASC Lone Star award at the state conference! The Texas Association of Student Councils (TASC) chooses 50 young leaders from the entire state based on outstanding community service along with a commitment to TASC and their local student council....and UA-Longview had THREE.We couldn't be prouder of these young women, and the impact they will continue to have on their communities after graduation.

UIL student participants — May 2025 - Big congratulations to our University Academy students! Last weekend, students from across our campuses represented UA at the Academic Regional UIL competitions — and we’re proud to share that 50 of our students competed! We’re especially excited to announce that students qualified for the State UIL Championships coming up in late May in several categories: Lincoln-Douglas Debate & Persuasive Speaking, Persuasive Speaking, Social Studies, Science, Informative Speaking, and Spelling. Way to go, scholars — we’re cheering you on all the way to State!

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!