Convenience Big Store: A quarter of Houston-area immigrant students left schools this year

May 2, 2026

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Hello Houston,

As promised, we've got the list of campuses that will convert to AI-focused Future 2 schools next year.

Miles said they will prepare students for when "AI will be ubiquitous." The superintendent envisions as many as 100 of these schools by July 2031.

What else we've been watching:

Staffing changes: The Texas Education Agency has named Chief of Schools Sandi Massey to lead Beaumont ISD as superintendent next year. She's the latest of several HISD officials who will lead districts under new state takeovers, signaling Miles' reforms could spread quickly across the state.
Hit the polls: Nearly 20 candidates are vying for school board seats in Clear Creek, Katy and Spring Branch ISDs. Here's what to know and the Editorial Board's endorsements for Katy and Spring Branch ISDs, which are separate from our newsroom.

Claire Partain, HISD reporter

Claire.Partain@houstonchronicle.com

Diana Cuevas, 10, and Ketzali Solís, 10, read books during Aldine ISD’s fifth annual bilingual festival in Houston on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Photo by: Houston Chronicle

Houston-area districts have lost 8,000 immigrant students. What else is driving enrollment declines?

School districts across Houston have lost enrollment. We explored why in two stories this week.

How has immigration enforcement affected enrollment?

Twenty Houston-area districts have lost up to one-quarter of their immigrant students this year, with a combined loss of nearly 8,300 students.

What about vouchers?

Declines could continue next year with Texas' new voucher program, which provides state funds to help pay for private school and homeschool education. We interviewed eight of the 274,000 who applied. Public school parents — including from HISD — said they applied because of turnover, curriculum changes and a lack of specialized programs.

What are other factors?

Studies and district leaders also point to charter school growth and declining birth rates.

What are the long-term impacts?

Many districts, including HISD, have closed or scaled back programs for students new to the U.S. Others say they could lose millions in funding. Students affected by the immigration crackdown could see their futures disrupted, including academics, mental health and career opportunities, experts said.

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🔍 School Finder

The summer moving season is fast approaching, and some school districts could gain new students as a result.

The latest data from the Houston Association of Realtors shows that homebuyers are eyeing the far reaches of the region: the Huffman area in northeast Houston, Brookshire in the west, and Waller in the northwest. These trends could boost enrollment in Huffman, Royal and Waller ISDs at a time when many districts are struggling to keep students.

Closer to Houston’s core, HAR reports competitive pricing in the Energy Corridor and Meyerland. It could be a hopeful sign for HISD as it competes with area charters and private schools for students.

Those home listings highlight zoning for HISD's Herod, Shadowbriar and Parker elementary schools; Meyerland, West Briar and Fondren middle schools; and Westside and Bellaire high schools.

Explore schools near you with our School Finder, a one-stop guide to help families make confident decisions about their child's education.

-Nusaiba Mizan

News from around the district

💸 Stipend dispute: A teacher claimed HISD owes her thousands in stipends for dual-credit classes. Why the district is refusing to pay.

📝 Vouchers: Read why an HISD employee and parent Chris Malloy chose to apply.

Elsewhere in education

👋 Bye-bye: Why are so many school districts losing superintendents across the state?

🏫 School closure: Spring Branch ISD may close a middle school, but some community leaders say it's a "pattern of inequity."

🚑 On-campus hospital: X-rays, medications and mannequin patients? Take a look inside Aldine ISD's new mock hospital.

🏫Tuition going up: Here are Houston's most expensive private schools.

🤔 Opinions: Readers weigh in on the new Ten Commandments classroom law, while a leader with Moms for Liberty Harris County argues the group cares about more than just culture wars.

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The Calendar Ahead

May 1: STAAR testing ends
May 2 & 16: Districtwide Hiring and Internal Transfer Events, Delmar Stadium, 8 a.m.
May 4-15: Advanced Placement Exams
May 5: Pre-K notification day, Phase Two applications open
May 7: Tribute to Port Houston, Port Houston Elementary, 5 p.m.
May 9: Our Community Voices cultural performances, Delmar Stadium, 4:30 p.m.
May 14: Board of Managers meeting, 5 p.m.

Meet The Team

Our HISD coverage is fueled by reporting from Megan Menchaca, Nusaiba Mizan, Claire Partain and Taylor Nichols. Laura Isensee is our education editor.

Reach any of our reporters by emailing them at their firstname.lastname@houstonchronicle.com, filling out this survey or by replying directly to this email.