History

Routh Roach opened in 1972 as an open concept school with very few interior walls. Nadene Ticer was principal for ten years, followed by Mary Sue Echols for nine years, and then followed by Jeanette O’Neal for 26 years. Aurora Trichell became principal of Routh Roach in 2017 and is the current principal.

The renovations in 1998 created halls and classrooms and the two wings that were added in 2005 created a facility that meets the needs of all students at Routh Roach. Routh Roach was named for Routh Roach, a third grade teacher who endeared herself to her students and parents while teaching third grade at Central Elementary.

Originally Routh Roach Elementary was the Rebels. Later the PTA and the student body chose to be the Raiders. In 1998 the Student Body and the P.T.A. voted to become the Wranglers as the previous two mascots toted guns. Elaine Sloan was our librarian at that time and developed our newsletter entitled Routh Roach Roundup.

Routh Roach Elementary, pursuit of continued excellence

Routh Roach has a small population with just over 300 students. The students are taught by a nurturing teaching staff who has high expectations for each student. Students who need extra help are tutored in an after-school program that uses research-based materials. Reading is taught each day in a small group setting so the teacher/pupil ratio is one to seven for reading instruction. The science program motivates students to learn science as it is hands on with the availability of a science lab for experiments. Students in the bilingual education program become proficient in reading and writing in Spanish as they master learning English. Bilingual students exit the school in fifth grade proficient academically in both English and Spanish. Technology is an integral part of the Routh Roach program with chrome books and iPads in each classroom in addition to the network computers in the computer lab. Each student utilizes the instructional program in the lab thirty minutes each day. The Renaissance Reading Program supports independent reading in a library that has an exemplary rating by the U.S. Department of Education criteria. The fine arts program provides each student music theory and art lessons, which supports the many programs presented each year. The staff of Routh Roach continue their education to stay abreast of the latest educational research-based practices to provide the Routh Roach students with an excellent academic program.

Tradition of excellence

Routh Roach Elementary has a tradition of academic excellence with the honor of being rated Exemplary fifteen times, and Recognized three times by the Texas Education Agency. In 2006 Routh Roach was named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education while being recognized as one of the five Blue Ribbon schools with best education practices. Routh Roach was named for the second time a National Blue Ribbon School in 2014. In 2018, Routh Roach was recognized as a 2018 Gold Ribbon school based on student achievement, campus performance, and growth in standardized test scores over time. High parental involvement is also the tradition at Routh Roach as it is a neighborhood school with most of the students living in close proximity to the school. As a united team the parents and staff provide a quality education that prepares our students for the future.

School colors

Red and royal blue

School mascot

Wranglers