Introducing Rocketship Explore Elementary!

Amaris Salazar, Founding Principal

During school naming meetings with parents and families, I was reminded of how community is the driving force in the development of the vision for our school. We partner with parents to pick our school name, changing the traditional power dynamic between schools and families. While the process to choose the name for our second Texas school took longer than expected as we went back and forth between different options, it was all worth it as we were building community. At the risk of sounding cliche, it wasn’t just about the destination, but about the journey we all had together. As we shared our opinions, our experiences, and our hopes and dreams for our children, we were strengthening our relationships with each other in service of our Rocketeers.

Parents ultimately chose the name Rocketship Explore Elementary because they wanted a school in our community that would design opportunities for our Rocketeers to explore within and throughout the community and to learn from and with others. My team and I couldn’t agree more.

Allowing children to be curious and explore their strengths and passions will spark the joy we are working to see every day on our campus. A joyful culture is essential in an elementary school setting because it creates a positive environment that fosters learning, creativity, and productivity. When students feel happy, supported, and motivated, they are more likely to engage in class activities, participate in group discussions, and take risks to explore new ideas. So a joyful culture helps to build a strong foundation for academic success and personal growth and will help our Rocketeers unleash their full potential.

A joyful culture is vital to our new school, as it supports our student’s academic, social, and emotional development. We are building what our parents want for their Rocketeers – the importance of creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity, fosters creativity, and inspires students to pursue their dreams. And it’s only been a few weeks, but the joy at Rocketship Explore Elementary is evident everywhere. It’s on the faces of our Rocketeers as they dance their hearts out during Launch. It’s behind the eyes of our amazing educators as they teach number stories and read aloud to their classes. And it’s clearly present with our families as they express their appreciation that Rocketship came to their community. We know that an excellent elementary school opens the door to endless opportunities for the future, and we can’t wait to unleash the potential of all our new Rocketeers as we prepare them to launch into the world around them as pioneers and explorers.

Published on August 29, 2023