The spotlight is shining on Cedar Valley this week.
The Killeen ISD elementary school received a Bright Spots Award, a national recognition that honors schools that are ahead of the curve in literacy education.
“This honor speaks to the commitment and teamwork of our entire school community. Our teachers are intentional about using data, providing targeted instruction, and meeting students where they are,” Cedar Valley principal Phylicia Miner said.
“Our students have worked hard, remained resilient, and continued to challenge themselves while our families have been important partners in that work. This recognition shows what is possible when a school community shares a common belief that every child can achieve at high levels.”
The Bright Spots Project, introduced by the nonprofit newsroom The 74, highlights schools at which students are thriving and third-grade literacy scores are outpacing expectations.
“We are incredibly excited and honored to receive the Bright Spots Award. This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the hard work our students and staff have put into strengthening literacy and ensuring that every student continues to grow,” Miner said. “Seeing our third-grade literacy performance outpace expectations is something our entire Cedar Valley community can be proud of.”
Cedar Valley recently raised its Texas Education Accountability rating nine points during the 2025-2026 school year, boosting its overall grade to an 85 and solidifying academic achievement in reading and math.
“We are proud of the progress we have made, but we also know the work continues. We want to build on this momentum and continue creating strong readers, confident learners, and opportunities for every student to be successful,” Miner added. “This recognition belongs to our students, staff, and families, and I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished together.”