Marfa Independent School District -

Parents, Community:
As we prepare for the first day of school and opening the doors for your child to experience the best school year yet, I would like to take a moment to remind all parents and students to read and familiarize yourself with specific sections of the Student Handbook (posted on the district website). The 2025-26 handbook is currently posted and has not changed for 2026-27. We are in the process of updating all info on the website. For now, please review the current posted handbook. The following sections are the areas most important and prove to be where most issues or questions arise during the school year. I expect your child to be knowledgeable of the handbook and ready to comply come August 24, 2026.

Attendance Health Related Issues
Bullying Leaving Campus
Communication Parking Permits
Conduct Promotion/Retention
Child Welfare/Awareness Safety
Deliveries to School Conduct Before/After School
Disruption of School Operations Searches & Investigations
Dress/Grooming Prohibited Items Tardies
Electronic Devices Transportation
Grading Guidelines Visitors/Volunteers
Immunizations/Illness

Again, I am honored to serve as your District Superintendent and look forward to an amazing school year.


Sincerely,

Stephen W. McCanless
Superintendent

🏈📣🐮 Join us for Meet the Shorthorns & the Welcome Back Pep Rally! Come meet our student-athletes, cheerleaders, coaches, and student leaders as we kick off the 2026-2027 school year. 📅 Thursday, August 27, 2026 ⏰ 7:00 P.M. 📍 Martin Field Go Horns! 💜

Marfa High School Student Parking Reminder If you plan to drive to school this year, make sure all required paperwork is completed before requesting a parking permit. Please review the flyer carefully and submit all required forms, including the Marfa ISD Drug Testing Form, as soon as possible to avoid delays. Parking on campus is a privilege, not a right. Go Horns! 🐮

Varsity Volleyball at Van Horn Tournament August 21-22, 2026

🎉 GET READY FOR MEET THE TEACHER! 🎉 Join us on Friday, August 21, from 4:00–6:00 PM at Marfa Elementary School, Junior High, and High School! Come meet your teachers, visit your campus, and get ready for an amazing new school year! 💜🤍 📸 Don’t forget to stop by the Elementary School to snap a photo at our selfie station! We can’t wait to see our Shorthorns and kick off the 2026–2027 school year together! ELEVATE EXCELLENCE Every Student. Every Day.

🎉 GET READY FOR MEET THE TEACHER! 🎉

Join us on Friday, August 21, from 4:00–6:00 PM at Marfa Elementary School, Junior High, and High School!

Come meet your teachers, visit your campus, and get ready for an amazing new school year! 💜🤍

📸 Don’t forget to stop by the Elementary School to snap a photo at our selfie station!

We can’t wait to see our Shorthorns and kick off the 2026–2027 school year together!

ELEVATE EXCELLENCE
Every Student. Every Day.

As the first day of school quickly approaches, our excitement continues to grow! 💜🐮

On Monday, August 24, 2026, we will proudly welcome our Shorthorns back for another incredible year of learning, growth, friendship, and new opportunities.

We know the first day of school can bring a mix of emotions—excitement, nervousness, anticipation, and maybe even a few tears—for both students and parents. Please know that you are not alone.

Our teachers and staff are ready to welcome your children with open hearts, patient hands, and a commitment to ensuring every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

Together, we will make sure every child has a positive and memorable start to the school year.

Don’t forget to stop by the selfie station outside the cafeteria and capture this special milestone with your family!

Thank you for trusting us with your greatest treasures. We can’t wait to begin another amazing year with our Shorthorns.

See you on Monday, August 24! Go Horns! 💜

Shorthorn Community, Texas Education Agency has released the accountability data for 2026. It is important that MISD remain transparent and share with you where we are regardless of the data. We have a focused plan in place for this school year to address our performance and celebrate the students and staff along the way as we strive to Elevate Excellence in Marfa ISD! Thank you for your continued support of the Shorthorns. Superintendent McCanless

Tonight’s Seniors Paint the Streets tradition was filled with family, friends, creativity, and an incredible amount of Shorthorn pride! The artwork did not disappoint. Our seniors showcased their talent, school spirit, and competitive nature through some amazing designs as they celebrated the first of many senior traditions. Here’s to an unforgettable senior year and an amazing year ahead! #MarfaISD #ClassOf2027 #MarfaShorthorns #SeniorTraditions #RideForTheBrand

Marfa Hardware, thank you once again for supporting our Marfa Shorthorns! 💜🎨 For the second consecutive year, Marfa Hardware generously donated $80 gift cards to each member of the Class of 2027 to help purchase supplies for the beloved Seniors Paint the Streets tradition. Thank you, Marfa Hardware, for continuing to invest in our Shorthorns and our community! #MarfaISD #MarfaShorthorns #ClassOf2027 #SupportLocal #RideForTheBrand

A huge thank you to Marfa EMS and the Marfa Police Department for providing an outstanding Stop the Bleed training for Marfa ISD educators. 🚑 Staff learned lifesaving skills, including how to identify serious wounds, pack a wound, and properly apply a tourniquet. Thank you for helping prepare our educators to respond in an emergency and better care for our students. A special thank you to Coach Jessie Peña and Police Chief Carrillo for leading this valuable training. #MarfaISD #StopTheBleed #MarfaEMS #MarfaPoliceDepartment #RideForTheBrand

Marfa ISD is grateful to have welcomed Michael Eisenwine as the keynote speaker for our 2026–2027 Convocation. Michael delivered an inspiring message on leadership and reminded us that educators serve in many roles each day as leaders, mentors, caregivers, and role models. As the Big Bend Regional President at Maverick Bank and co-host of The Banker & The Ball Coach podcast, Michael brought a unique perspective that perfectly complemented this year’s theme, Riding for the Brand: Elevate Excellence. Thank you, Michael, for helping us kick off an exciting new school year!

Thank you to Marfa RenTools and Ernesto and Florcita Zubia for being such incredible supporters of Marfa ISD! 💜 Your generosity and continued support of our teachers and Marfa Shorthorns help make special moments like our 2026–2027 Convocation possible. We are grateful for your commitment to our students, staff, and community. Thank you for always supporting Marfa ISD! #MarfaISD #MarfaShorthorns #ThankYou #RideForTheBrand

Thank you to Livingston Insurance and Iram and Gracie Marquez for being such incredible supporters of Marfa ISD! 💜 Your generosity and continued support of our teachers and Marfa Shorthorns help make special moments like our 2026–2027 Convocation possible. We are grateful for your commitment to our students, staff, and community. Thank you for always supporting Marfa ISD! #MarfaISD #MarfaShorthorns #ThankYou #RideForTheBrand

A huge thank you to Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union (soon to become Texas Educators Credit Union) for their generous support of Marfa ISD! 💜 Seven lucky teachers won gift cards totaling several hundred dollars, and every employee received a back-to-school swag bag and notebook, making our 2026–2027 Convocation even more memorable. Thank you for investing in our educators and supporting the Marfa ISD family! #MarfaISD #SupportingEducators #RideForTheBrand

What an incredible start to the 2026–2027 school year! 🎉 Marfa ISD’s 2026-2027 Convocation, the first event of its kind in the district, set the tone for an exciting year ahead. A special thank you to Superintendent Stephen McCanless, whose vision made this celebration possible and ensured that our teachers, faculty, and staff felt truly appreciated and welcomed. From a wonderful breakfast sponsored by the Marfa PTO to gifts, giveaways, and inspiring messages from both Mr. McCanless and keynote speaker Michael Eisenwine, today was all about celebrating the people who make Marfa ISD great. Here’s to a year of Riding for the Brand and Elevating Excellence! 🤘💜

🎉 GET READY FOR MEET THE TEACHER! 🎉

Join us on Friday, August 21, from 4:00–6:00 PM at Marfa Elementary School, Junior High, and High School!

Come meet your teachers, visit your campus, and get ready for an amazing new school year! 💜🤍

📸 Don’t forget to stop by the Elementary School to snap a photo at our selfie station!

We can’t wait to see our Shorthorns and kick off the 2026–2027 school year together!

ELEVATE EXCELLENCE
Every Student. Every Day.

Congratulations to Marfa High School’s Alyssa Harden on an outstanding performance at the West of the Pecos Cross Country Meet! Alyssa brought home a 3rd-place finish and represented the Shorthorns strong!

Free School Supplies and Ice Cream Social!

🎒 Families, be sure to check out our School Supply List so you know exactly what your student will need for the new school year! THANK YOU, COMMUNITY PARTNERS for your continued support of our Shorthorns! Marfa ISD would like to thank the many community partners who continue to go above and beyond to provide school supplies and support our students and families. Your generosity, kindness, and continued support make a difference for our Shorthorns. Together, we’re helping our students start the school year prepared and ready for success! 🤘📚✏️ Thank you for always showing up for our kids! 💜 #MarfaISD #ShorthornPride #CommunityStrong #BackToSchool