Post Details

The Donna Independent School District is proud to announce a new partnership with Little Braves Child Care Center and Southern Littles Academy, two locally owned centers in Donna, Texas. This collaboration highlights Donna ISD’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education for Pre-K3 and Pre-K4 students.

At the April 8th School Board meeting, the Donna ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with both child care centers. Through this partnership, the district, in collaboration with the Texas Workforce Commission, will expand educational services to children enrolled in these centers.

As part of this innovative initiative, Donna ISD will provide academic resources, professional development for child care staff, and direct support services to ensure children are prepared for kindergarten and beyond.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our youngest learners to get a strong start,” said Donna ISD Superintendent Dr. Angela Dominguez. “Our district will provide a certified teacher to deliver instruction directly at these centers for all three- and four-year-old students. These students will be dually enrolled, meaning they remain at their daycare while benefiting from the same quality instruction they would receive in our schools. Not only does this strengthen early learning, but it also supports our efforts to expand access to education and ensure that our students are ready for success from the very beginning.”

The owners of both child care centers shared their excitement about the new partnership.

“We’re really excited about partnering with Donna ISD to provide this Pre-K experience for our students,” said Jennifer Rodriguez, owner of Little Braves Child Care Center. “It’s something that we’ve heard about before, and it’s something that’s new to Donna ISD. We’re really excited that we’re one of the first centers to have this opportunity. For our students, it’s a huge benefit — being able to stay here at the center in a small setting while receiving extra educational support that prepares them for school.”

Janie Rios, owner of Southern Littles Academy, echoed the enthusiasm. “We’re very excited about it,” she said. “This is going to take our daycare to the next level. We were already focused on more than just babysitting — we wanted to make sure there was an educational component. With this partnership, we’re going to have the resources and training for our Pre-K teacher. Plus, the fact that we’re one of only two daycares selected — we’re setting the standard for those coming after us. Parents deserve that. They’re looking for excellence, and we’re excited and thankful to the district for selecting us.”

Parents at both centers also expressed their appreciation for the initiative.

“I’m very appreciative of the daycare, and when I learned they were partnering with Donna ISD, it made me very happy,” said Asannette Ortega, a parent of a student at Little Braves Child Care Center. “This is going to prepare my child for when it’s time to transition into a big school. Bringing in the curriculum and the extra guidance is really good — it will make the transition so much easier for them and help them keep up with regular school activities.”

Amanda Lerma, a parent of a student at Southern Littles Academy, shared her excitement about the benefits she’s already seen. “My son started here when he was just five months old, and now he’s a year and a half — I plan to keep him here as long as I can,” she said. “I’ve already seen such a difference. He’s talking, walking, he’s a little chatterbox! Everyone tells me how advanced he is for his age, even his doctor. With this extra support, I can only imagine how much more he’s going to grow.”

This initiative reflects Donna ISD’s dedication to supporting families and strengthening early childhood education across the community. By bridging the gap between daycare and elementary school, the district ensures that every child enters kindergarten ready to succeed.

Donna ISD Board President Fernando Castillo praised the teamwork that made this partnership possible, stating, “Our staff has done an incredible job bringing this vision to life. Together with our daycare partners, we are laying the groundwork for a brighter future for Donna ISD students.”

The partnership goes into effect for the 2025–2026 school year. For more information about this partnership and Donna ISD’s early childhood education initiatives, contact Donna ISD at 956-464-1600 Ext. 7398.