Dallas, TX

A Dallas all-girls school receives $2M to expand its reach

Published

2 years ago

August 14, 2024

A Dallas all-girls school receives M to expand its reach

An all-girls Dallas middle school will add high school grades with the help of a $2 million gift.

This year, the Young Women’s STEAM Academy in Balch Springs added the ninth grade. The Texas Instruments Foundation grant will help the academy add a new grade per year through the 12th grade by the 2027-28 school year, when it will have the first graduating class.

“It’s not an expense. It’s an investment in you,” Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde told academy students when the gift was announced Wednesday morning.

The academy, which opened in 2016, has about 760 students.

It now joins the Young Women’s Preparatory Network that partners with districts for all-girls schools. DISD also has the Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, which serves sixth through 12th graders and is part of the network.

“It’s never been about achievement gaps in our schools. It’s always been about opportunity gaps,” Elizalde said. “What the Young Women’s Preparatory Network does for you, for us, is provide those opportunities.”

The network also has schools in Fort Worth, Austin, Houston and other Texas cities, serving more than 5,000 students.

“Over the last 20 years, 100% of our girls have graduated from high school, and 100% have been accepted to college,” said Lynn McBee, the network’s CEO. “Our girls get through college and graduate from college at about 69%, which is double the national average of girls who come from backgrounds that are underserved.”

Research shows many benefits for girls who attend school in all-girls classrooms, McBee said. Instead of taking notes, they lead meetings, she added.

“They become leaders,” she said. “They raise their hands. They answer questions. They’re not shy.”

Only about 25% of STEM jobs, or those based in science, technology, engineering or math, are filled by women, said Andy Smith, Executive Director of the Texas Instruments Foundation.

“We know that there’s a STEM confidence gap in girls versus boys. And girls, historically, have a higher level of math anxiety than boys,” Smith said.

One way to close that gap is by “ensuring that girls have every opportunity to explore their interests and gain that confidence, including in a supportive, all-girls environment,” he said.

The grant allows the school to expand while focusing on recruitment and training of science teachers, Smith said. It will also fund important resources that help students prepare for college.

Most of the school’s students will be the first in their families to attend college, academy principal Rubinna Sanchez said. A first-generation college student herself, Sanchez said that kind of support is something she didn’t have but would have made her journey “a lot smoother.”

“We’re going to be able to have a college success advisor, specifically for our girls, to guide them, to find the best scholarships, the best colleges that fit them,” Sanchez said.

The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.

The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.

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Dallas, TX

Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity

Published

7 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity

Dallas Cowboys Nation’s hopes of landing superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby were dashed last weekend when it was announced that he was being traded to the Baltimore Ravens. However, less than 24 hours before the new year, the trade has fallen apart.

On Tuesday night, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that the Ravens have backed out of the trade.

“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby,” the statement read. “We will have no further comment at this time.”

The news sends a major ripple for the league, with the Crosby sweepstakes once again open. Before his trade to the Ravens, the Cowboys were considered one of the teams closely monitoring the situation and a team that made a legitimate offer for Crosby.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby leaves the field following a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

At this time, there is no word on why the trade between Las Vegas and Baltimore fell through. When the trade was first reported, the Raiders were set to receive a 2026 and 2027 first-round pick from the Ravens.

Now, his future is in limbo. Before he was traded to the Ravens, it was believed that the Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams were the top candidates to land him. In fact, the Cowboys were “considered runner-ups” in the sweepstakes.

Dallas’ Original Trade Offer

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby reacts during the second half at SoFi Stadium. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys initially offered the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 draft, a 2027 second-round pick, and an unnamed veteran player.

“Dallas kept a hard line throughout. The franchise wasn’t willing to part with two first-round picks, hoping its 12th pick in April’s draft, plus a future second-rounder, would be enough to entice Las Vegas. Dallas was also willing to package a veteran player to sweeten the deal, but Vegas wasn’t interested in that. The Raiders prioritized picks,” Fowler wrote.

Last season, Crosby recorded 73 total tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.

We’ll have to see if Dallas ends up being his new home, now that the team has a second chance to make something special happen, but there will be some serious competition. The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

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Dallas, TX

Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing

Published

20 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing

DALLAS – Severe thunderstorms are forecast to return to North Texas late Tuesday, bringing threats of damaging hail, high winds and localized flooding. While the primary concerns are wind and hail, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.

Tuesday Forecast

Dallas weather: Mar. 10 morning forecast

We have another chance of severe storms starting Tuesday afternoon. Meteorologist Ali Turiano has your forecast and everything you need to know ahead of the storms.

Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop as a dryline to the west moves into the region. Storm conditions are expected to intensify as the day progresses.

The greatest concerns remain damaging winds and large hail. The leading edge of the storm front will likely be the most intense, with the potential for straight-line winds and brief spin-up tornadoes.

LIVE Radar: Dallas-Fort Worth

Dallas Storms: Timing and Impact

The highest potential for severe weather in the Metroplex is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., though lingering activity could continue until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Residents are advised to seek shelter immediately if a warning is issued for their area.

7-Day Forecast

A final round of storms is expected Wednesday, primarily between noon and 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. These storms carry a threat of half-dollar-sized hail and damaging winds.

Behind this system, North Texas will dry out and briefly cool off. Sunny skies return Thursday with a high in the mid-60s. Temperatures will then warm into the upper 70s on Friday before a sunny weekend with highs in the low 80s.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the National Weather Service and FOX 4 forecasters.

WeatherDallasFort WorthSevere Weather

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