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What Does Texas Rising Star Certification Mean for Your Child?

If you've toured child care centers in Texas, you've probably seen the phrase Texas Rising Star on banners and websites — including ours. But what does it actually mean, and why should it matter when you're choosing a school for your child?

The short version

Texas Rising Star (TRS) is the voluntary, state-run quality rating and improvement system for child care programs in Texas, administered through the Texas Workforce Commission. Licensing by DFPS sets the legal floor; TRS measures how far a program rises above it.

What the assessors look at

TRS assessors score programs across categories that research links to better outcomes for children:

• Teacher–child interactions — the warmth, language, and responsiveness children experience every day
• Curriculum and activities — planned, age-appropriate learning rather than just supervision
• Teacher qualifications and training — ongoing professional development, not just minimum hours
• Indoor and outdoor environments — safe, organized spaces designed for children

What the stars mean

Certified programs are rated 2-Star, 3-Star, or 4-Star, with 4 being the highest. Discovery School currently holds a 2-Star certification and is actively working toward 4-Star — our most recent assessment scored 92%. We publish that openly because we believe families deserve transparency about quality.

Why it matters for your family

A TRS-certified center has invited the state in to observe classrooms, review lesson plans, and score teacher interactions — voluntarily, on top of regular licensing inspections. It also matters financially: TRS certification is connected to the state's Child Care Services program, which helps make quality care affordable for eligible families. Ask us about child care assistance when you visit.

Questions about our rating, our curriculum, or child care assistance? Call (972) 279-1202 — we're glad to share the details.