A few miles north of the US/Mexico border, Mueller Charter School serves 1,000 students in Transitional Kindergarten through grade 8. This three-time NCUST award-winning school (2012, 2020, and 2025) continues to nurture a positive school culture that challenges and promotes the growth of students who already perform at or above grade level, while also coordinating and strengthening supports for students who are advancing toward grade level expectations. The school culture is enhanced as school leaders engage in multiple efforts to listen to the perspectives of students, parents, teachers, and other staff members.

In particular, Mueller Charter School has implemented systems for listening to, valuing, and building upon the knowledge and skills of Mueller educators. Every week, grade-level professional learning communities have a two-hour block during which they review data, examine student work, and help each other plan effective lessons. A considerable amount of professional development at Mueller comes from Mueller teachers. For example, three Mueller teachers who are certified GLAD (Guided Language Acquisition Design) trainers support all teachers in using GLAD strategies to help more and more students meet and exceed state academic standards.