The Texas Education Agency ratings came out Friday and schools across Bell County improved scores overall, with Temple ISD rated academically acceptable overall, the Belton district rated recognized overall and five of its schools receiving an exemplary rating.

One standout Bell County district - Holland ISD - received the state's highest rating of exemplary, the first such achievement for that district.

"For the last 15 years, we've been recognized, but this is the first year we've been exemplary," Holland ISD superintendent Cindy Gunn said.

She said that in the past, it's been a few points in subcategories that kept the district from achieving an exemplary rating.

"It's just really nice to see that the numbers fell our way," Gunn said. "We hope to keep improving - there's always room for growth. We won't stop at this point."

Ratings are based on the scores achieved by a district's or campus' student sub-groups - white, Hispanic, African-American and economically disadvantaged - in all grade levels and subject areas from spring 2010 TAKS assessments taken in various grades from third to 11th.