Hays CISD

Earlier this afternoon, the Johnson Jaguars softball team’s historic 2026 campaign came to a close as they fell in Game 3 of the State Semifinals to Pearland.

While the result wasn’t exactly what we had hoped for, we are forever proud of our Jaguars who have paved the way for future generations of Johnson High softball players! We’ll have more photos soon, but first let’s cheer on the Jags on a remarkable and memorable run to the state tournament! Bravo, Jaguar softball!

One game. One dream. The right to play in the UIL 6A, Division I State Championship game will be up for grabs May 23 when the Johnson Jaguars take on the Pearland Oilers in a winner-take-all Game 3 of the State Semifinals! Today's game is scheduled for 2 p.m. at A&M Consolidated High School (1801 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy S, College Station, TX) You can view the contest online at texanlive.com (a fee is required to view the stream). Good luck today, Jaguar softball! You can view photos from Game 2 of the State Semifinals here: https://hayscisd.smugmug.com/The-2025-2026-School-Year/Johnson-v-Pearland-State-Semi-Game-2

Remember and Honor. Memorial Day is Monday, May 25.
Hays CISD offices will be closed Monday, May 25, and will resume regular office hours Tuesday, May 26.

And that is officially a wrap on the 2025-2026 school year, Hays CISD family! We'd like to thank all of our students, educators, families and community for an amazing year of excellence. From all of us at Hays CISD, we hope everyone has a restful, exciting, fun and safe summer break!

As the minutes ticked down to the end of the school year, Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright stopped by Lehman High School May 21 to present a Coin of Excellence to a Lobo Legend!

On Thursday, Dr. Wright surprised Lobo NJRTOC instructor 1st Sgt. Donald Griffith with a Coin of Excellence for his steadfast leadership of the Sea Lobos! The honor was bestowed on 1st Sgt. Griffith during a ceremony held in the main breezeway that honored Lobo NJROTC senior students, as well as bidding 1st Sgt. Griffith farewell after a fantastic career in the classroom! First Sgt. Griffith is planning to retire after 24 years as an educator, which followed a distinguished 20-year career in the United States Marine Corps.

Joining Dr. Wright for the ceremony was Lehman High Principal James Cruz, Assistant Principal Sara Sparks, LHS NJROTC Senior Naval Science Instructor CWO5 Carlos “Cinco” Cruz, as well as numerous administrators, students and the Mariachi Los Lobos! Also on hand to honor 1st Sgt. Griffith were Hays County Justice of the Peace Pct. 2-1 Beth Smith and HOFV Vice President Andy Hentschke with Hats Off For Veterans scholarship benefactor, Jimmie Quintero, along with Cmdr. John Berry, who led the LHS NJROTC for many years. Congratulations to 1st Sgt. Donald Griffith on a stellar career in education! Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the students of Hays CISD! Fair winds and following seas!

We wish the Johnson High School Softball team the best of luck as they head to College Station for the state semifinals where they will compete with Pearland in a best-of-3 game series, with the winner advancing to the state championships. Family, friends and fellow students gave the team a proper send-off at noon today on the Johnson campus to show love and support for our state-bound athletes.

Good luck, Jags!!!

JAGS Athletic Booster Club

Check out a few photos of the Simon Middle School's end of the year indoor soccer match that was played this past week! Way to go, Wolverines!

SMS 25-26 - Staff v Students: Soccer Game Staff v Students: Soccer Game

On May 15, Hays CISD's Student Services team traveled across the district to honor eight campuses for their exemplary attendance numbers during the 2025-2026 school year!

Congratulations to:

• Negley ES (highest Pre-K attendance) and Cullen Elementary (most improved Pre-K attendance)

• Sunfield Elementary (highest elementary school attendance) and Elm Grove Elementary (most improved elementary school attendance)

• Barton Middle School (highest middle school attendance) and Simon Middle School (most improved middle school attendance)

ª Hays High (highest high school attendance) and the Live Oak Academy (most improved high school attendance)

On hand to deliver the joyful news last week was Director of Student Services Cynthia Zapata, as well as Attendance Intervention Specialists Gladys Rodriguez, Jennifer Narvaiz, Jennifer Leija and Iris Velasquez. Congratulations to all of our winning campuses! You can find more information about the highest and most improved campuses below. Photos courtesy Jennifer Leija.

• Pre-K

Highest – Negley ES (94.94%)

Most Improved – Cullen ES – (24/25-95.25% | 25/26-95.96%) – 0.71% Improvement

• Elementary

Highest – Sunfield ES (95.24%)

Most Improved – Elm Grove ES (24/25 – 95.16% | 25/26 – 96.09%) – 0.93% improvement

• Middle School

Highest – Barton MS (94.97%)

Most Improved – Simon MS (24/25 – 93.08% | 25/26 – 93.90%) – 0.825% Improvement

• High School

Highest – Hays HS (92.24%)

Most Improved – Live Oak Academy (24/25 – 77.64% | 25/26 – 85.59%) – 7.95% Improvement

For the first time since 2014, a Hays CISD softball program is state bound!

Last week, the Johnson Jaguar softball team defeated San Antonio East Central to win the Region IV championship an punch their tickets to the UIL 6A, Division I state semifinals! The Jaguars continue their thrilling postseason run tonight (May 21) when they take on Pearland in Game 1 of a best-of-3 series. Game 2 is scheduled to be played Friday, May 22 at 7 p.m. If necessary, Game 3 is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, May 23. All games will be played at A&M Consolidated High School in College Station (1801 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy S, College Station, TX 77840)

Before the Jags head to College Station, head on to Johnson High for a community send off at noon on May 21! Way to go, Jags and good luck tonight!