TWU to offer automatic admission to qualifying Carroll ISD students
Texas Woman’s University joined Carroll ISD’s Distinguished High School Partnership Program, which grants automatic admission for the district's high school graduates that meet certain criteria. CISD trustees unanimously approved the partnership at a Sep. 22 board meeting.
What you need to know: TWU will offer admission to the top 30% of high school graduates and cover all admissions costs, per district documents. TWU will also offer merit scholarships to students in the top 30% with an unweighted GPA of 3.5.
New Song School of Arts to bring new location in Southlake
New Song School of the Arts will open its second location in Southlake.
Founded 26 years ago in Lewisville and serving the Argyle community for the past 13 years, New Song School of the Arts is owned by Heather and Todd Parks. Their newest campus will be located inside Southlake Baptist Church.
The details: According to previous Community Impact reporting, New Song offers private lessons in various instruments—including piano, voice, guitar, percussion, strings, woodwinds and brass—as well as theater in several mediums.
What happened: Todd Parks said the original plan to expand was focused on Ponder until a chance encounter changed that. Southlake Baptist Church Pastor Clayton Reed officiated a wedding in Argyle and called the Parks about possibly bringing their services to Southlake.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Dallas - Fort Worth area.
Andalous Fresh Mediterranean is slated to open in the first quarter of 2026, said Wassim Merched, founder of Andalous Mediterranean Concepts.
The modern, fast-casual eatery will feature a dining experience that combines buffet-style service with plated dishes. Cold items, including fresh dips, salads and toppings will be available buffet-style while proteins will be plated fresh from the kitchen, Merched said in an email.
“This location will serve as a prototype model for future growth opportunities, allowing us to perfect a scalable concept while delivering the same authentic Andalous flavors,” Merched said.
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Le Beef Steak & Frites recently opened in Plano’s Shops at Legacy North, a company representative said.
The French cuisine restaurant, which is owned and operated by brothers Alex Nunes and David Jeil, serves a prix fixe menu, including an artisan salad, 50-day wet-aged, USDA Prime top blade steak, signature fries and a proprietary Le Beef sauce. Other protein options include chicken and sausage. A vegetarian plate is also available.
Texas to overhaul STAAR, launch 3 new exams in 2027
The Texas Education Agency will begin transitioning to a new standardized testing system after Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law Sept. 17 to replace the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness with three shorter exams.
The overview: Through the 2026-27 school year, Texas public school students in third through 12th grade will continue taking the STAAR each spring. Beginning in fall 2027, students will take three tests at the beginning, middle and end of the year under House Bill 8, the new law.
Students’ results will be released within 48 hours after each new test is administered. STAAR scores are currently released about six weeks after a test ends, according to the TEA.
The debate: Bill author Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, said the new system will reduce test-related anxiety; give students and teachers feedback throughout the school year; and increase legislative oversight of Texas’ assessment and accountability systems. Critics of the plan said it would increase the amount of time students spend taking exams and essentially create “another STAAR test” developed by the TEA.
