The best resource for activities taking place in our district is the District Calendar.

For the full school year, click here for the 2026-2027 Academic Calendar.

Superintendent’s Corner: Dr. Enos Shares His Thoughts

Happy October, Tigers!

As fall officially arrives, the energy across our Gunter ISD campuses is truly inspiring. From strong academic momentum in the classroom to outstanding student performances on the field, on stage, and throughout our community, our students continue to showcase what it means to be a Tiger and embody our TPW mindset.

October brings a fast-paced season filled with rich autumn learning, student-led parent-teacher conferences, and vibrant school spirit. I want to express my sincere gratitude to our exceptional teachers, staff, families, and community members. Your partnership and dedication create a supportive environment where our children can truly grow, achieve, and thrive.

I am thrilled to highlight a few noteworthy accomplishments happening behind the scenes that reflect our commitment to excellence:

Expanding Student Opportunities (RPEP Partnership): Heather Hale and our Learning and Innovation Department are leading a new Regional Pathway Excellence Partnership (RPEP) with Howe ISD, Grayson College, and Region 10. By sharing Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs across districts, this collaboration will expand advanced coursework, vocational pathways, and industry-level learning opportunities for our Gunter students.

Strengthening District Financial Health: Thanks to the incredible leadership of our CFO, Alyce Greer, Gunter ISD’s financial standing has reached historic strength:

S&P Rating: Upgraded financial status rating from a June 2025 rating of A with a negative outlook to a September 2026 A positive rating. This is a two-level increase in about 15 months.

FIRST Rating: Our Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas score surged from 77 to 92, earning the district a "Superior Achievement" rating from the state.

Fund Balance Reserves: We increased our reserve operational funds from 27 days (July 2025) to 110 days (September 2026), exceeding the state’s recommended minimum of 90 days and ensuring long-term stability for our district.

Purple Star Campus Designations (2026–2028): Both Gunter Elementary and Gunter Middle School campuses have officially earned the Purple Star Campus Designation. Awarded by the Texas Education Agency, this honor recognizes schools that demonstrate a profound commitment to military-connected students and their families, ensuring smooth transitions, dedicated support systems, and a welcoming community when they move to our district. This distinction is a testament to the incredible work of the counselors on the two campuses: Tara Rice at the elementary school and Jessica Hogan at the middle school.

Thank you for your ongoing support, trust, and Tiger Pride.

Dr. Brandon Enos

Superintendent and Lead Learner

In the 8th Episode, Dr. E is joined by Gunter ISD’s two newest School Board members, Kristie Nelson and Robert Hough. Hop in and ride along as they share their backgrounds, their passion for Gunter ISD, and their vision for the future of our schools. Click here to watch.

Take a ride with Dr. E in the latest episode of Driving with Dr. E! This week, Dr. E shines the spotlight on GIFT and shares all the details about the upcoming BINGO Round-Up Fundraiser. Click here to watch.

Gunter ISD is proud to announce that Gunter Elementary School and Gunter Middle School have been named 2026–2028 Purple Star Campuses!

The Purple Star designation recognizes schools committed to supporting the unique needs of military-connected students and their families. As Purple Star Campuses, GES and GMS provide dedicated military liaisons, specialized resources, and a welcoming environment that honors and supports our military families.

We are proud of our staff for making this achievement possible and grateful to our military families for their service and sacrifice. We are honored to have you as part of the Gunter ISD community!

One Night. One Community. A Lasting Impact.

Join us for the GIFT Round-Up & Bingo, an evening of dinner, bingo, auctions, prizes, and plenty of fun, all while supporting the teachers and students of Gunter ISD!

Funds raised through this special community event directly support teacher grants and student scholarships, helping provide more resources and opportunities for Gunter students.

Enjoy three rounds of bingo, silent and live auctions, great prizes, and dinner while giving back to our Gunter community.

Come for the fun. Give for the future.

📅 October 10, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 897 Wallace Rd., Gunter
🎟️ Tickets: Couples $125 • Single $75 • Teachers $50 • Table $850 

Click here to purchase tickets.

Sponsored by Pogue Construction

Join us as we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Gunter’s first State Football Championship! The 2016 State Championship Football Team will be recognized on the field before the Gunter Tigers vs. Plainview game. All players and coaches from the 2016 championship team are invited to return to Gunter and be honored as we celebrate this special milestone!

For generations, Gunter ISD students, teams, and programs have represented our community with excellence and pride. As we work to preserve our district’s history, we have compiled a verified list of 43 State and National Championships and Titles.

These accomplishments span decades and include UIL Academics, athletics, baseball, football, volleyball, golf, track & field, robotics, FFA, band, cheer, twirling, and more.

Our 42 Championships & Titles

1. 1960 — Slide Rule (UIL Academics): Marshall Anderson

2. 1963 — Slide Rule (UIL Academics): Sandy Graham Garner

3. 1973 — Long Jump (Track & Field): Barry Harris

4. 1976 — Shorthand (UIL Academics): Bonnie Holcomb Stafford

5. 1980 — Typing (UIL Academics): Dara Reed Arrington

6. 1988 — 800 Meter Run (Track & Field): Roger Reed

7. 1989 — Typing (UIL Academics): Randall Reed

8. 1991 — Shot Put (Track & Field): Sean Terry

9. 1994 — Class A Baseball State Champions (Team)

10. 1998 — B.E.S.T. Robotics State Champions / National Participant

11. 1998 — Class AA Baseball State Champions (Team)

12. 1998--300 Meter Hurdles (Track & Field): Dustin Hunter

13. 1999 — Robotics State Champions

14. 2002 — Cross-Examination (CX) Debate (UIL Academics): Blaine LaBron & Michael Morelli

15. 2002 — Beta Club State & National Champions

16. 2002 — Prose Interpretation (UIL Academics): Norman Trinh

17. 2003 — 300 Meter Hurdles (Track & Field): Kendall Harrison

18. 2010 — 100 Meter Dash (Track & Field): Payton Baker

19. 2010 — 200 Meter Dash (Track & Field): Payton Baker

20. 2011 — 400 Meter Dash (Track & Field): Payton Baker

21. 2012 — 400 Meter Dash (Track & Field): Payton Baker

22. 2012 — 3200 Meter Run (Track & Field): Cody Campbell

23. 2014 — GHS Concert Band — 1st Place ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series

24. 2016 — Class 3A Division II Football State Champions (Team)

25. 2016 — Wheelchair Shot Put (Track & Field): Tyler Buysse

26. 2016 — Wheelchair 100 Meter Dash (Track & Field): Tyler Buysse

27. 2018 — FFA Land Judging — National Champions: Ainslee Stovall, Halle Ward, Alyssa Jerrell, Luke Willard

28. 2019 — Class 3A Division II Football State Champions (Team)

29. 2020 — UIL Spirit / Cheer State Champions (Band Chant)

30. 2022 — UIL Spirit / Cheer State Champions (Band Chant)

31. 2022 — Class 3A Division II Football State Champions (Team)

32. 2022 — Class 3A Volleyball State Champions (Team)

33. 2023 — Class 3A Division II Football State Champions (Team)

34. 2023 — UIL Lone Star Cup Winner (Top Overall 3A Academic & Athletic Program in Texas)

35. 2023 — Shot Put (Track & Field): Abby Elmore

36. 2024 — High Jump (Track & Field): Abby Elmore

37. 2024 — Class 3A Division II Football State Champions (Team)

38. 2024 — UIL Spirit / Cheer State Champions (Band Chant)

39. 2025 — Girls Individual Golf State Champion: Katy Merchant

40. 2025 — Individual Twirling State Champion: Analeia Aleman

41. 2026 — Individual Twirling State Champion: Analeia Aleman

42. 2026 — Boys Golf State Champions

43. 2026 — Boys Individual Golf State Champion: Austin Anderson

What Did We Miss?

We know Gunter has a proud history, and we want to make sure we have it right!

If you know of a State or National Championship or Title that is missing from our list, please share it with us. Photos, programs, newspaper clippings, records, and memories are all welcome as we continue documenting the history of Gunter ISD.

Questions or additions? Please contact Stacy Watson at swatson@gunterisd.org.

Homecoming Week is October 19–22, and we’re getting ready for a week filled with Tiger spirit, Western fun, and Homecoming traditions! 

HOMECOMING T-SHIRTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!
Show your Tiger pride and represent your class with your grade-level color!

Seniors: White
Juniors: Royal Blue
Sophomores: Black
Freshmen: Baby Blue

Community Homecoming shirts are also available in Gray and Baby Blue!

T-Shirt Order Deadline: Monday, October 5
Order here: https://guntermerch.com/collections/cheer

HOMECOMING DRESS-UP DAYS
Be sure to join in on all the dress-up fun during Homecoming Week! 

The Homecoming Tailgate is always a community favorite, and we can’t wait to celebrate together! Check out the details below and make plans to join us!

🐎Saddle Up, Gunter! 🐎

Ready to be part of the 2026 Homecoming Parade? Fill out the registration form to enter your float. One entry per float, please.

Float Entry Cost: $30
Winners will be announced at the HOCO Game!

Float numbers are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to register early here!

Questions? Email guntercheerbooster@gmail.com.

Sponsored by Mustang Water

Let’s settle an old playground rumor: No, there is no statewide ban on dodgeball in Texas schools! 

Our Tigers traded kickballs for soft foam balls and put TPW—Tough People Win into action! Students practiced teamwork, sportsmanship, handling both wins and losses, and getting back in the game. It was even more fun with our GHS Senior Buddies joining the competition. Our little Tigers loved playing alongside the big kids they look up to!

Our kindergarteners have been learning all about the five senses and enjoyed a fun taste test! Students sampled foods that were sour, bitter, salty, and sweet, and there were definitely some BIG reactions! What a fun way to use our sense of taste to explore, learn, and discover!

Big discoveries, busy hands, and curious minds!

Fifth-grade science students headed to the lab to explore the properties of matter through hands-on learning. What a fun way to bring science to life!

Art 1 rocked their Pop Art printing! Our students brought their creativity to life with bold designs, unique ideas, and plenty of personality. We’re loving the creativity and individuality in every piece!

Art 2 put their own unique spin on Ben-Day dots and created some fantastic Pop Art! We love seeing their creativity, attention to detail, and individual artistic styles shine through in the artwork!

Sixth graders got hands-on while learning about pure substances and mixtures! Students observed water as a pure substance, created a homogeneous mixture with lemonade powder, and made a tasty heterogeneous snack mix with a variety of ingredients. Who knew science could be so delicious?

Our 7th graders got creative as they modeled the organization and structure of cells using cake and even a pizza! What a fun and tasty way to bring their science learning to life!

Our GMS students have begun preparing for the Academic UIL contests in December! Students are participating in tryouts, practices, and plenty of preparation as they sharpen their skills and get ready to compete. You can see some of Mrs. Smith’s students hard at work preparing for the Art contests in the photos below!

We’re excited to see all their hard work pay off as they put their knowledge to the test and compete for those UIL medals! Way to go, Tigers!

Get ready to put on your dancing shoes and your favorite costume! Come join us for the GMS Dance on Friday, October 30!

Grab your friends, dress up, and get ready for a night of music, fun, and Halloween spirit!

GMS Yearbooks are officially on sale! This year is extra special because our students are creating the yearbook themselves! We can’t wait to capture all the memories, moments, and people that make GMS special.

Red Ribbon Week is coming up, and our GMS and GHS students are ready to show their commitment to making healthy, positive choices! Join us throughout the week for fun dress-up days designed to bring awareness, encourage healthy choices, and show that being drug-free is always in style.

Check out the graphic below for the GMS & GHS Red Ribbon Week dress-up days and join us as we celebrate Red Ribbon Week!

Our Gunter Special Olympics teams competed in a Bocce ball tournament in Anna and faced some fierce competition! The Tigers showed incredible determination, teamwork, and sportsmanship, with every Gunter team bringing home 2nd place!

Congratulations to all of our athletes on an outstanding showing! We are so proud of you, Tigers!

Our Gunter Middle School Tigers have been putting in the work! The Combo, 7th Grade, and 8th Grade teams have competed hard on the field, showing teamwork, determination, and plenty of Tiger pride. Here’s a look at their football scores from the month!

Our 7th A and 8th A Lady Tigers had an incredible showing at the Gunter Tournament!

8th A went a perfect 3–0 and were crowned tournament champions! They battled Tioga in an unforgettable third set, taking it all the way to 20–19!

7th A finished in 2nd place with a 2–1 record.

7th & 8th grade B teams after their tournament in Sherman.

From September 15 through October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic Americans. The celebration begins on September 15 to coincide with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries. What began as a week-long observance under President Lyndon B. Johnson was later expanded to a full month under President Ronald Reagan.

To celebrate, students researched individuals who have made meaningful contributions and explored their achievements, heritage, and impact on the Hispanic community. Here are a few of the wonderful projects from Ms. Mercado’s students!

Our GHS Pharmacy Technician students kicked off their internships at Gunter Family Pharmacy recently! We are excited about this new partnership and the opportunity for our students to gain valuable, hands-on experience in the pharmacy field.

Order your YEARBOOK and SENIOR RECOGNITION AD today!

The deadline to order a yearbook at the current price is October 2. After October 2, the price will increase by $5.

The deadline to order Senior Recognition Ads is November 13.

📅 Yearbook Price Deadline: October 2
🎓 Senior Recognition Ad Deadline: November 13
💰 Pricing: See flyer for cost details

Questions? Please contact Mrs. Guice at kguice@gunterisd.org.

Get ready to dance, sing, and have fun with the Gunter Theater Department!

Tickets are now on sale for Mamma Mia! Join us for this energetic, feel-good musical filled with unforgettable music, laughter, and plenty of ABBA favorites!

📅 October 3 & 10
🕑 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

Come support our talented Gunter students as they take the stage! You won’t want to miss this show! Grab your tickets here and get ready for Mamma Mia!

The Mighty Tiger Band traveled to Whitesboro, TX, for the Chris Lovejoy Marching Invitational, hosted by the Whitesboro Band. The competition featured two rounds: Prelims and Finals!

The Tiger Band made it through Prelims and then placed even higher in Finals! But the biggest win of the day? Our students’ attitude! They showed up, worked hard, supported each other, and maintained a positive attitude through an incredible 15-hour day.

The Mighty Tiger Band has been working extremely hard to represent Gunter to the best of their ability, and they deserve ALL the applause!

What a way to kick off the season at Lake Ray Roberts! With more than 200 boats on the water, Gunter Bass Fishing showed up BIG, bringing home 1st Place Overall as a TEAM! 

1st Place: Colten Lee & Landon Jordon — 23.62 lbs.
5th Place: Zachary Hales & Brody Bracewell — 13.82 lbs.
15th Place: Jacob Culverhouse & Rhyder Medlock — 8.88 lbs.

Cadence Plough & Grant Gartrell also hit the scales with a 5.75 lb. fish!

What a way to start the tournament season! Congratulations to all of our anglers on a great day on the water and an even better TEAM finish!

Calling all future Gunter cheerleaders in kinder-6th grade! Come join us for a fun-filled Youth Night Cheer Clinic and experience what it’s like to cheer at Tiger Stadium! Participants will have the opportunity to perform at the pep rally (if their grade attends the pep rally) and take part in a pregame performance and run-through-the-tunnel experience before the game!

Register here. 

Join us for an afternoon of Mahjong, food, drinks, and fun while supporting the GHS Cheer Program! 

📅 Sunday, October 18
⏰ 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 134 Deer Crossing Rd., Gunter, TX 75058
💰 $50 per person

Click here for tickets!

🀄 Experienced players and Mahjong 101s are welcome!

Come play, enjoy some great company, and support our GHS Cheerleaders!

Up before the sun, logging the miles, pushing through the tough days, and showing up for one another is what Gunter Tiger Cross Country is all about. 

Our Gunter Tigers have been putting in the work and turning that effort into some great finishes at the S&S Ram Run, Collinsville Meet, Pilot Point and Denison Meet. Congratulations to all of our medalists and top finishers!

We are proud of every Tiger who lined up at the starting line. Medals are exciting, but the real victory is in the miles logged, the hard work, the perseverance, and the way these athletes continue to run for each other!

It’s been an exciting month of football for our Gunter Tigers! From the Freshmen and JV squads to Varsity, our teams have battled through tough competition, made big plays, and continued to grow together on the field. Take a look at the scores from the action in Septmeber!

Keep up the great work, Tigers!

Our Gunter Lady Tigers have been serving up an exciting month of volleyball! Varsity is currently 1st in district with a 21–16 record and continues to compete with energy, resilience, and determination. Check out the latest scores and celebrate the hard work our volleyball teams are putting in on the court!

Keep it up, Lady Tigers!

Our Lady Tigers loved celebrating Youth Night with some of Gunter’s youngest Tigers! Thank you to all the future Lady Tigers who came out to cheer on the team and show their Tiger pride. It was a special night filled with volleyball, smiles, and plenty of Gunter spirit!

Congratulations to sophomore Brooklyn Kinison for reaching 500 career kills and 500 career digs!

Congratulations to senior Kyla Gortmaker for reaching 500 career kills! Kyla has been a leader on our team for the last two seasons, and we are so proud of her for reaching this milestone.

Congratulations to our JV teams on their outstanding performances! JV-2 went undefeated at the Van Alstyne Round Robin, while JV-1 finished 2-1. JV-1 also earned a 3rd-place finish at Aubrey! Great job, Lady Tigers!

Congratulations to our new Lady Tiger Track & Field record holders! During the 2026 season, our athletes tied one school record and broke two additional records!

We are incredibly proud of these ladies and the hard work, dedication, and determination they put into their season.

It takes what it takes!

Connect with us!

Website: www.gunterisd.org
Location: Gunter, TX, USA
Phone: 903.433.4750
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gunterisdschools
Twitter: @Gunter_ISD

Photo credits: Laci Bracewell & Marion Cole