Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles visits elementary students in December 2023. Miles, appointed by the state to lead its takeover, announced nearly three quarters of Houston schools now earn an A or B rating on Aug. 5, 2025. via Houston Independent School District
Enrollment drops and budget pressures are driving widespread campus closures across Houston ISD, Fort Bend ISD and Aldine ISD.
Three major Houston-area school districts are moving forward with significant school closures, citing declining enrollment, aging facilities, and financial pressures. The decisions have drawn strong reactions from educators, parents, and students, who say the changes will disrupt communities and weaken trust.
Houston ISD reversed course after previously assuring families that no campuses would close in late 2025. Superintendent Mike Miles with unanimous board support now plans to shut down 12 schools at the end of this school year, a shift the district attributes to years of falling enrollment and rising maintenance costs.
The elementary campuses slated for closure are NQ Henderson, Port Houston, Ross, Burrus, Franklin, Alcott, Hobby, Cage, and Briscoe. The middle schools are Fleming, McReynolds, and Gulfton Middle College.
The announcement prompted immediate criticism from Houston Federation of Teachers President Jackie Anderson, who said the abrupt change undermines public confidence.
“Well, we are thoroughly confused by this latest announcement coming out of HISD,” Anderson said. “We had been told that there would be no closures for the 2026–2027 school year. We cannot rely on anything or factual that comes out of HISD, and we would like to have been notified prior to this being announced publicly. The people making these decisions certainly do not have any ties to the community, so they probably do not care.”
She added that the closures reinforce why many stakeholders opposed a future bond under state appointed management.
“There probably will not be a bond until the Texas Education Agency is out of HISD and stakeholders, taxpayers, parents, teachers, and students are brought to the table.”
In Fort Bend ISD, trustees voted 4–3 to close seven elementary schools at the end of the school year as the district works to address a major budget deficit. The campuses include Austin Parkway, Dulles, Glover, Ridgegate, Sugar Mill, Mission West and Arizona Fleming.
The decision drew emotional testimony from the Mission West community.
“Mission West is more than a home to West Wildcats. It is our home,” said student Alexa Barrales. “Even though this is my last year, I would still like to drive by it someday when I grow up and say, this is my elementary school.”
Parent Maria Treminino said closing Mission West would dismantle a thriving school that has become a cornerstone of its community.
“It is the only Title IA rated school, a place where children who often start with fewer resources are proving every single day that they can achieve at the highest levels,” she said. “It is also the only bilingual program of its kind in the area. Mission West is not failing. It is thriving.”
Aldine ISD is also preparing for major changes. On Feb. 17, the district’s Board of Trustees approved the closure of Teague Middle School and Houston Academy at the end of the school year.
A week later, the board announced additional closures: De Santiago Primary School, Stovall Primary School, Eckert Elementary School, Oleson Elementary School, Raymond Elementary School and Smith Elementary School.
In a district newsletter, Aldine officials cited a steep, decade-long enrollment decline driven by the loss of affordable housing, lower birth rates, and reduced state funding. The district lost 4,000 students last year alone, a 26% drop over 10 years.
“We understand that changes like this can be difficult for our students, families, staff and the community,” Superintendent LaTonya M. Goffney said. “These decisions were not made lightly. They came after careful review of data and community feedback. Our goal is to use our resources wisely while continuing to provide a rigorous and enriching education.”
As districts across the region confront shrinking student populations and mounting financial pressures, families and educators say they fear the closures will reshape neighborhoods and disrupt long-standing school communities. District leaders maintain the moves are necessary to stabilize budgets and redirect resources, but the debate over how to balance those priorities continues.
