Looking Back to Leap Ahead
Contigo Ed’s 2024–2025 Year in Review
by Jesse Carrillo
As we close out another academic year, our team at Contigo Ed is reflecting on what has made this one so special. Across functions—from professional learning to analytics, strategic consulting to operations—we’ve deepened our impact with district partners, launched new resources and services, and grown as individuals and as a team. Below, we’ve captured some of the milestones and moments that made 2024–2025 such a meaningful year.
Professional Learning
This year was all about experimentation, growth, and deepening impact. What began as a trial run with webinars evolved into a full-year series with strong attendance and meaningful engagement—we’re already planning for an even stronger lineup this fall.
We also launched our first-ever Advising in Action Summer Institute in Dallas, bringing together advisors from across the state for two days of practical tools, peer learning, and real-world advising strategies. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and we’re thrilled to host this summer’s Advising in Action Summer Institute in Houston this July (learn more here).
In addition to expanding our virtual and in-person offerings, we hosted our first Professional Learning Summit in Houston, where our Content Experts gathered for 1.5 days of feedback, collaboration, and content creation. And after a year of development, we saw our facilitator pipeline spring to life, with Tenesha, Rob, and Mayra leading live workshops in the field using tools and approaches we’ve refined together.
Our work with partner districts like Education is Freedom (EIF) and Aldine ISD continues to push our thinking. With EIF, we kicked off a three-year advising partnership by visiting campuses in Dallas, conducting focus groups, and designing learning grounded in research from the University of Texas on mentoring mindsets. And in Aldine, we led a data-informed workshop that helped counselors reframe how they advise students using real college outcomes. As one counselor shared: “I love the approach to data that we’re taking by anchoring it in core beliefs.”
We’re proud of how our professional learning work continues to evolve—driven by the field, grounded in equity, and centered on what matters most: student success.
Data & Analytics
This year, our analytics team continued to help districts not only understand their data, but act on it. We supported districts across Texas—like Austin, Pasadena, DeSoto, and Alief ISDs — to answer high-leverage questions related to TSI readiness, advanced academics access, math course sequencing, and postsecondary outcomes.
Our research consistently pointed to two truths: taking advanced courses improves long-term outcomes, and significant participation gaps persist. We were encouraged to see partners like Alief and Houston ISD adopt opt-out advanced academic policies that are already expanding access and reshaping opportunity.
We also conducted custom audits, assessed program impact, and worked hand-in-hand with districts to demystify CCMR indicators and drive better outcomes. Whether it was evaluating the OneGoal program’s effects in Aldine or exploring TSI attainment by grade level in Austin ISD, our team remained grounded in actionable insight and equity-driven analysis.
Strategic Consulting
The strategic consulting team focused on deepening relationships and scaling our impact. We’ve worked closely with longtime partners like Aldine, Dallas, and Corpus Christi ISDs—relationships now 3–4 years strong. We’ve also launched exciting new collaborations with districts like Willis ISD and Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD (CFBISD).
To meet the evolving needs of our partners, we developed and deployed new content and services, including college and career readiness supports, summer melt strategies, and opt-out advanced academics implementation. In Harlandale ISD, for example, our collaboration contributed to a projected 8% increase in TSIA completion, campus grade gains, and a record-breaking 600+ student responses to their first-ever Senior Survey.
These successes reflect more than just numbers—they represent growing trust, shared learning, and real momentum for systems-level change.
Operations & Communications
This year marked a pivotal moment for Contigo Ed’s operations and communications work. Behind the scenes, we focused on building stronger systems to support our growing programs—from event logistics and internal documentation to finance workflows and team onboarding. Joining the team this year, Ashley brought deep experience in event management and has been instrumental in strengthening our infrastructure, all while stepping into new areas like people operations and financial systems.
On the communications front, we launched one of our most exciting public-facing projects to date: CCMRTexas.org, a comprehensive online resource designed to support educators navigating College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR). The site is the culmination of years of learning with district partners and is already serving as a go-to hub for tools, strategies, and updates aligned to Texas accountability goals. With support from our marketing partners at CSG and cross-functional collaboration from our team, we’re proud to have created something that reflects both the complexity and clarity this work demands.
Together, our internal and external operations have positioned us to move faster, communicate more clearly, and deepen our support for the educators and advisors we serve.
Overall Takeaways
Collaboration multiplies impact. Whether through in-person summits or virtual brainstorming sessions, our collective energy has elevated our offerings and pushed our thinking forward.
Our partners are our compass. The questions, feedback, and innovations from districts continue to shape our strategy, tools, and mindset.
Data is only powerful when it's personal. We’ve seen the most meaningful breakthroughs when district teams connect data to values, context, and student stories.
Growth requires courage—and infrastructure. From facilitators taking the mic for the first time to operational systems getting refined behind the scenes, every layer of our work is about stepping forward with care and intention.
We are and continue to be so grateful to all of our partners, collaborators, and community members who made this year one to remember. Here’s to building on this momentum in the year ahead!
