Godley ISD Superintendent Dr. Rich Dear shared an update on the district’s growth, goals and priorities during a State of the District presentation at the Godley Chamber of Commerce luncheon on August 20, 2026, at Pleasant View Elementary School.

Dear gave chamber members a look at where Godley ISD stands today and what lies ahead, with enrollment growth and student success among the key topics.

Godley ISD began the school year with 3,404 students, up from 3,325 in 2025, 3,191 in 2024 and 3,003 in 2023.

Current enrollment includes 963 students at Godley High School, 541 at Godley Middle School, 275 at Godley 6th Grade Campus, 525 at Legacy Elementary School, 526 at Pleasant View Elementary School and 574 at R.B. Godley Elementary School. Several campuses are nearing capacity, including Godley Middle School at 98%, Legacy Elementary at 95%, R.B. Godley Elementary at 94% and Godley 6th Grade Campus at 91%.

Dear also discussed the district’s demographic studies and the continued residential development throughout the area, both of which point to continued student enrollment growth in the years ahead.

Chief Academic Officer Dr. Nikki Nix presented Godley ISD’s goals for the 2026-27 school year, centered on academic growth, effective staff and student attendance.

District leaders shared their disappointment with the recently released state accountability ratings, saying the results did not fully reflect the hard work and progress of Godley ISD students and teachers during the past school year. The district remains focused on academic improvement, with a 2026-27 goal of measurable growth in reading and math resulting in a three-point increase in the Texas Education Agency accountability rating across all grades and subjects.

Godley ISD met its other two district goals for 2025-26, which focused on staff climate and student attendance. With progress made in both areas, district leaders have set a higher bar for 2026-27 with increased expectations for continued improvement.

For professional learning and effective staff, the district will provide targeted professional learning aligned with academic priorities and meaningful staff recognition practices, with a goal of increasing positive responses on identified staff climate survey indicators by 5%.

Student attendance also remains a priority. After meeting its attendance goal last year, Godley ISD is continuing to raise expectations with a goal of increasing attendance by another 0.25% while maintaining a focus on safe, secure and supportive learning environments.

The goals are connected to Godley ISD’s community-based accountability system, which looks beyond a single state rating to measure success in seven areas: student learning and progress; student readiness; engaged, well-rounded students; community engagement and partnerships; professional learning and effective staff; fiscal and operational systems; and safety and well-being.

Dear also highlighted the district’s ongoing safety and security efforts, including the Godley ISD Police Department, school guardians, visitor management and security camera systems, exterior door security measures and several emergency preparedness and reporting tools.

The presentation also gave chamber members several ways to get involved and directly support Godley ISD students.

Mentors Care served 57 Godley High School students with the support of 54 volunteer mentors during the 2025-26 school year. Volunteers provided more than 530 hours of mentoring, and the program received the Godley Chamber of Commerce Community Impact Award. Godley High School is now accepting mentor applications for the new school year.

The district is also looking for local businesses to partner with Godley High School’s Career Prep program by providing paid work-based learning opportunities. Students work at approved training sites in jobs connected to their career pathways while developing employability skills, workplace knowledge and real-world experience.

Dear also encouraged local businesses to become Godley ISD sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities provide businesses with district-wide recognition through communications, events, athletics and the district’s Highway 171 frontage videoboard while supporting Godley ISD students and schools.

Godley ISD’s vision is to “Inspire, Empower, and Challenge All Learners to Lead, Grow, and Serve,” with core values of integrity, perseverance, growth and Wildcat pride.