Copperas Cove Independent School District (CCISD) is celebrating a major milestone as two of its campuses receive national recognition for their dedication to fostering strong student-teacher relationships and improving school climate.

Crossroads High School and Copperas Cove Junior High School have been named National Showcase Schools by Capturing Kids’ Hearts, an achievement that highlights the exemplary leadership, teaching staff, and faculty who have embraced the program’s principles to create supportive and engaging learning environments.

Superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins expressed pride in the accomplishment, emphasizing the importance of positive relationships within the district. “We are proud to serve as a model in how we address positive relationships in our district, and both Crossroads and Cove Jr. High should be incredibly proud of this honor,” Hawkins said. “These efforts have made a profound difference in the lives of our students, and it’s paid off in our academic performance, as well, as our district has shown improvement with stricter standards from the state.”

Capturing Kids’ Hearts, a nationwide initiative designed to strengthen relational skills among students and educators, was implemented across all four secondary campuses at CCISD at the start of the 2023-24 school year. Three of the four campuses were nominated for this prestigious designation.

The measurable impact of the program has been remarkable. Crossroads High School, under the leadership of Principal Pat Crawley, reported a 90% decrease in office referrals within the first six weeks of implementation. Copperas Cove Junior High School saw a 60% reduction in discipline issues during the fifth six weeks of the school year.

Beyond behavioral improvements, both campuses experienced notable advancements in attendance rates. Crossroads High School more than doubled its previous graduation numbers, a testament to the power of fostering stronger connections with students.

Meanwhile, Copperas Cove Junior High, led by Principal Jeff Shannon, saw a significant boost in staff retention. Heading into the 2024-25 academic year, the campus only needed to replace three teachers—fewer than in any previous year. Similar trends were observed at S.C. Lee Junior High, reinforcing the benefits of implementing Capturing Kids’ Hearts district-wide.

The National Showcase School designation considers various factors, including improvements in attendance, academic performance, discipline referrals, and overall school culture. Schools must also ensure that most of their educators have completed the foundational training required to sustain positive environments.

In recognition of the program’s success, the CCISD Board of Trustees recently approved the renewal of Capturing Kids’ Hearts across all four secondary campuses for the 2025-26 school year. The district continues tracking student-teacher relationships through strategic surveys, which contribute to its long-term educational vision, Vision 2029.

“This is just the beginning of our efforts to improve the climate in our schools through Capturing Kids’ Hearts,” Hawkins said. “We look forward to all four of our participating campuses soon joining the best of the best as our dedicated teachers and staff continue to implement these principles—not just to educate students academically, but to build lasting connections that will encourage and inspire them throughout their lives.”