Lee Stewart, Professor at Stephen F Austin State University, said the University studied TAKS scores and compared them to a school district’s social-economic standing in Texas. Sabine ISD came out on top.

“Sabine is one of the best rural schools in the state as far as statistics,” Stewart who is an assistant professor of Secondary Educational Leadership, said.

Stephen F. Austin State University will begin interviewing board members, administrators, and teachers on how the school has been successful. The results will be used as an educational tool for educators.

“What it seems like at Sabine, of course, is you have a caring administration who knows the community,” Stewart said.

Stacey Bryce who took over as Sabine ISD superintendent three years ago, said the secret to their success is forming important relationships with the community and providing many opportunities for students.

You have to build relationships with your kids and teachers” Bryce said. ”You’ve got to find out what makes the kids tick.”

Stewart said most of the credit is due to the school administration change when Bryce took over. Studies support that after a superintendent is in a school district for three years, test scores can be contributed to the superintendent.

In the 2006-2007 school year Sabine received a “recognized” rating from the state because their TAKS Test scores were so high. However the two years before that, the school only received an academically acceptable rating.

However, Bryce believes the number one reason the school has been so successful is because the district has close relationships with teachers, students and parents.

“We are a pretty close-knit group.”

Stewart, who specializes in rural-schools studies, said some of the challenges many small schools face is funding issues but the upside is that the community is more involved.

Eddie Shawn, principal of Sabine High School, believes part of the secret to school success is competition. As former coaches, both Shawn and Bryce have made great efforts to get their kids involved in state competitions.

Since the two school administrators started to lead the school two years ago, they have seen a dramatic jump in participation in UIL Academic competitions. Shawn said , this year, the school had about 50 students at the District Academic meet, 12 students in Regionals and three at State. Three years ago only three students participated at Regionals.