The Blazer Beat
April 24, 2026
North Lake Family,
Just like that, we are done with STAAR testing for the 2025-2026 school year! This year’s window was slightly longer than in years past and took 3 weeks to close. Despite this, our students were able to step up to the challenge and be present for each exam, and we have officially closed out the window with 100% of our first-time testers within the window! Thank you to all the North Lake ECHS community for supporting our students during testing.
This week, our school was also honored by Dallas ISD and the College Board for our work in AP Exams, PSAT, SAT, and National Merit recognitions. North Lake ECHS joined 18 other high schools in the district by receiving a Bronze award for passing rates, participation, and success on the AP exam. Over 50 North Lake ECHS students were honored at this event!
Next week is a break from testing and the focus is on finishing the college semester strong. I am proud of the work our students have done and will continue to do throughout their time at North Lake ECHS. Let’s make it a great weekend and see you next week!
Sincerely,
Adrian Hernandez
Principal
North Lake Early College High School
Twitter @AdHernandez2648
Familias de North Lake,
¡Así, sin más, hemos concluido las pruebas STAAR para el año escolar 2025-2026! El periodo de evaluación de este año fue ligeramente más extenso que en años anteriores y se extendió durante tres semanas. A pesar de ello, nuestros estudiantes supieron estar a la altura del desafío y asistieron a cada uno de los exámenes; ¡oficialmente hemos cerrado este ciclo con el 100 % de nuestros estudiantes que presentaban las pruebas por primera vez habiéndolo hecho dentro del plazo establecido! Agradecemos a toda la comunidad de North Lake ECHS por el apoyo brindado a nuestros estudiantes durante este periodo de exámenes.
Esta semana, nuestra escuela también recibió un reconocimiento por parte del Dallas ISD y del College Board por nuestra labor en relación con los exámenes AP, el PSAT, el SAT y las distinciones del programa National Merit. North Lake ECHS se unió a otras 18 escuelas secundarias del distrito al recibir un galardón de Bronce por sus tasas de aprobación, participación y éxito en los exámenes AP. ¡Más de 50 estudiantes de North Lake ECHS fueron homenajeados en este evento!
La próxima semana será un periodo de descanso de los exámenes, y nos centraremos en cerrar con broche de oro el semestre universitario. Me siento orgulloso del trabajo que nuestros estudiantes han realizado y que continuarán realizando a lo largo de su trayectoria en North Lake ECHS. ¡Les deseo un excelente fin de semana y nos vemos la próxima semana!
Atentamente,
Adrián Hernández
Director
North Lake Early College High School
Twitter @AdHernández2648
Dr. Baker 10th/11th Grade
Dr. Hart 9th/12th Grade
North Lake ECHS Families!
It was busy last weekend for our North Lake Seniors! Bailey, Alyssa, and Paris went on fly-ins to their chosen colleges! Alyssa participated in an admitted students day and got to experience a day in the life of a student at Rochester, Bailey flew into Augustana and participated in their enrollment ceremony, and Paris flew into Davidson with the rest of the ASP X Davidson scholars, where she met up with our very own North Lake alum, Vanelly Lopez!
Speaking of Vanelly, On Saturday ASP hosted the third annual ASP X Davidson information session, Vanelly was a guest speaker! Vanelly boldly spoke to current North Lake students, and other students across DISD & IL Texas about her experiences at Davidson, and gave them advice as they begin their own college processes. North Lake had 9 rising seniors attend the event, and I will be following up with them this week!
But wait, there's more to celebrate!
- Alondra M is a TERRY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT for UT Arlington! She officially accepted the scholarship last week, and will be attending UT Arlington completely free of charge!
- A few months ago Astrid and Paris led a Q & A panel about the UChicago Summer Fly In program, and I am so excited to announce that Maximiliano has been selected for the program for this summer! I will touch base with the other students who applied and keep you updated!
- Isaiah Copeland received the Hope Forward scholarship at Hope College, and can attend the institution for about $2000 a year out of pocket!
Applications: I am so excited to announce that 100% of our students have applied to at least 3 colleges and universities, and all students have been accepted to an affordable college/university!
FAFSA: 97.4% of our students have completed their FAFSA/TASFA!
Scholarships: Our seniors continue to soar past their scholarship goal of 20 million! As of this morning our seniors have earned $21,183,764 in scholarships and grants!
Have a great week!
Beginning on the first day of school (August 12, 2025), all students will be expected to adhere to the the North Lake Early College dress code and uniform policy.
Wednesday will be "Uniform Day" On Uniform Wednesdays, students are required to wear their ECHS uniform shirt, black slacks, khaki slacks or a skirt (no shorter than “finger-tip length” with arms in normal position, i.e., arms hanging naturally, as student is standing straight and upright).
Senior Only Uniform of grey slacks or Grey/Blue plaid skirt with the North Lake ECHS uniform shirt or Senior Shirt!
North Lake ECHS Uniform can be purchased at Levine's two locations or via their website https://levinesstores.com/collections/north-lake-early-college-high-school.
Students will be required to follow the North Lake Dress Code on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Please see the image below which outlines the do's and don'ts.
All students will be required to have clear or mesh backpacks for the 25/26 school year, small personal non clear bags are allowed. Dallas ISD will provide all students with one free clear back from the school year. I would recommend the mesh bag as they are more durable for the year. If you require a backpack, you can pick up at open house or first day of school
Mesh/Clear Backpack examples - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mesh+backpack&crid=21Z8OKVNB5ZZY&sprefix=Mesh+Bac%2Caps%2C144&ref=nb_sb_ss_pltr-data-refreshed_1_8
Seniors Only, click on the photo for product info at Levine's
John Johnson - Assistant Principal
Monique Gossett - Campus Coordinator
Kara Hoover - English I Cluster Lead Teacher
Kane Cortez - MAPS and Algebra I
Ana Martinez - Biology and AP Environmental Science
Hector Osegueda - AP Human Geography and AP African American Studies
Aaronia Ferguson - English II, Senior Sponsor and Cluster Lead Teacher
Bethany Tam - Dual Credit German
Jeff Heiple - Geometry and Cluster Lead Teacher
Samah Al-Hamadi - Dual Credit Biology
Alexandra Locker - Algebra II
Swati Chakarvarty - Honors Chemistry
Aubry Born - Dual Credit English
Dr. John Davis II - Special Education
Elida Rueda - Parent Support Specialist
Dr. August Darbonne - Dual Credit US History and Mexican American Studies
Dhara Katbamna - Dual Credit Math and AP AB Calculus
Kelly Green - Dual Credit Government and AP Economics
Steven Nguyen - Dual Credit Health/PE and Cluster Lead Teacher
Michelle Smith - Dual Credit English
Danny Whitsell - Business and Financial Literacy
Nurse Archie - School Nurse
Natasha Sublet - Office Manager
Sandra Fisher - Financial Clerk and Parent Liaison
Cledy Olivares - Campus Safety Monitor
Tierra King - Teacher's Assistant and TSIA2 Math Tutor
Tonya Caston - Data Clerk/Registrar
