The Montgomery ISD Board of Trustees approved the selection of Shelby Smith as the principal of Creekside Elementary School, MISD’s seventh elementary school, scheduled to open in August 2024.
“I am honored and so grateful for the opportunity to open a new campus, and look forward to establishing traditions and helping build a strong foundation at Creekside.” Mrs. Smith said. “I have loved serving and leading at Madeley for the past 6 years, and I’m incredibly proud of the growth of our staff and students. Having this opportunity to grow professionally, while remaining in the district I’ve called home for the past 12 years is truly a privilege.”
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Shelby Smith is currently serving as the principal of Madeley Ranch ES in MISD, a role she has served in since February 2018. Prior to being named principal of Madeley Ranch ES, she served as assistant principal in both Montgomery ISD and Humble ISD after beginning her career as an elementary teacher. Smith is a graduate of Texas Tech University and earned her Master’s Degree in Administration from Sam Houston State University.
“Shelby’s leadership style and the culture she has developed as a campus administrator made her an excellent candidate as a school-opening principal,” Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools Carrie Fitzpatrick said. “She is a leader with a servant’s heart and we are confident that under her leadership, Creekside ES teachers and students will achieve excellence for years to come.”
Under Smith’s leadership, Madeley Ranch is a high-achieving elementary campus, earning an ‘A’ rating with the Texas Education Agency. In a district-wide survey in October 2023, 99% of staff at Madeley Ranch ES reported a positive work culture on their campus. Her leadership has led to nominations for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Principal’s Award in both 2022 and 2023. She has continued her professional development as a member of Cohort 13 of the N2 Learning Principals’ Institute.
Smith will continue to serve as the principal of Madeley Ranch ES for the remainder of the 2023-24 school year and the process to hire the new principal will begin during the spring semester.
“Shelby has established an outstanding team and strong foundation at Madeley Ranch and we are confident that the next person to lead our Mustangs will be set up for success,” Fitzpatrick said. “The staff and the community of families at that school will undoubtedly carry on the tradition of excellence.”
Creekside Elementary will be the first new campus opened as a result of Montgomery ISD’s May 2022 Bond election, approved by the voters to accommodate enrollment growth and facility upgrades across the district. The campus broke ground in June of 2023 and is located on 2854 behind Lake Creek HS, on the south side of the district. Creekside ES will alleviate enrollment growth in the Stewart Creek ES and Keenan ES attendance boundaries. The Board of Trustees will vote on a recommended boundary for Creekside ES on December 19, 2023.
Creekside ES location