The Houston Independent School District unanimously voted to close 12 schools at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year despite pleas from parents and families for more time. Parents of HISD students are now grappling with questions about what the closures entail.
School district leaders attributed the closures to declining enrollment and aging facilities that impact long-term financial sustainability, adding that they started with over 50 schools that met initial criteria but closed 12.
“It’s a hard but necessary decision to position HISD for the future and ensure that our students can continue to have successful educational careers. And we’re committed to making the transition as smooth as possible.”
Monica Zdrojewski, HISD Chief of Staff
“It’s a hard but necessary decision to position HISD for the future and ensure that our students can continue to have successful educational careers,” said HISD Chief of Staff Monica Zdrojewski. “And we’re committed to making the transition as smooth as possible.”
Lack of community input
HISD held 25 information sessions in the campuses slated to close, reporting 700 people attended.
However, many families said they felt blindsided and insufficiently informed about the changes.
Some pointed out that the closed schools are located in minority neighborhoods.
“Do you want your legacy to be that you voted to close only Black and brown schools?” Diana Candida asked the board of managers. “Mr. Miles would point to low enrollment, but there are small schools with different demographics that are not on the chopping block.”
During the meetings, parents raised concerns about transportation to and from schools, special education services, facility readiness, school choice, staffing, principal selection, class sizes, student safety, and transparency.
Superintendent Mike Miles said “many more” such meetings will be held in the upcoming months. Miles added that no contracted staff will lose their positions due to the closure and that they will receive more information by April 17th.
Here’s what parents need to know
Zdrojewski addressed parents’ concerns during the board meeting.
Transportation:
She emphasized that the average distance between the closing and receiving campuses is 1.86 miles and announced a new plan: a direct bus from the closing school to the receiving school for all interested students, regardless of eligibility, for two years.
Families will be able to request transportation via a survey shared in May.
The bus plan is designed for students who currently walk to their campus. Students can keep walking to the closing campus, then take a bus directly to the receiving campus in the morning and return the same way after school.
Still, some parents focused on the routes children might take.
Vianney Torres, a parent of two Port Houston elementary students, said her children would have to transfer from a B-rated school, Pleasantville Elementary, to a C-rated one.
Torres, who conducted a test walk between the two schools, recorded the 30-minute journey and said it was “very unsafe” due to the presence of “loose dogs.”
Enrollment, class sizes:
The school district said it aims to “maintain similar or comparable program offerings, and where possible, offer expanded program offerings” at receiving campuses.
Dual language: District leaders repeatedly said families should not lose dual-language programming during the transition. One board member summed up the district’s promise plainly: “If you had dual language, you keep dual language.”
STEM magnets and expanded access: The district highlighted one example involving McReynolds Middle School’s STEM magnet, saying consolidations could expand access.
“By consolidating two middle schools,” Zdrojewski said, “both the Fleming and the McReynolds students now have access to that STEM magnet.”
Class size concerns: The district said it is “committed” to managing enrollment to maintain appropriate class sizes” aligned with recommended student-teacher ratios.
Special education: HISD responded with commitments anchored in federal law and students’ IEPs. On transportation specifically, leaders said IEPs can include transportation as a related service and that it must be provided when required.
Re-enrollment: HISD officials said that a parent does not need to take any additional action to re-enroll their student unless they want a different option and pursue school choice.
School choice: For families considering transferring to a campus other than the receiving campus, the district said it extended the school choice deadline to March 6th.
Building safety: HISD leaders leaned on facilities condition assessments and the Facilities Condition Index (FCI), noting assessments dating back years and projections over time. But they also emphasized that students are not currently in unsafe buildings.
How families should get information
The district said its plan going forward includes:
- Individual phone calls to every impacted family and a tracked call log of concerns
- The Family Connection Center number was sent out in letters
- Follow-up calls from departments like special education, when needed
- Campus tours, welcome events, meet-the-teacher nights, and enrollment support
- “Legacy committees” to preserve campus history and traditions
- A facilities usage committee later in spring/summer for input on future building use
What parents can do
- Save the March 6 school choice deadline if they want an option other than the receiving campus
- Watch for the May transportation survey if they want the two-year direct bus/shuttle option
- If their child has an IEP, ask specifically about services and transportation at their new campus
Schools slated for closure
The following campuses are expected to close, with students reassigned to nearby schools:
N.Q. Henderson Elementary → Bruce Elementary
Port Houston Elementary → Pleasantville Elementary
Ross Elementary → Roosevelt Elementary or C. Martinez Elementary
Burrus Elementary → Kennedy Elementary
Franklin Elementary → Gallegos Elementary
Alcott Elementary → Mading Elementary
Briscoe Elementary → Carrillo Elementary
Gulfton Middle College → Liberty High School
Hobby Elementary → School and Grades 1-5 students will move to the Lawson MS facility (co-location); Pre-K and Kinder students will move to MLK Early Childhood Center
Fleming Middle School → will consolidate with McReynolds MS and move to the Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men facility (co-location)
Cage Elementary → Lantrip Elementary (co-location)
