New schools prompt NISD boundary changes From the cover
Some context
The gist
school year or were expected to reach overcapacity in the next three years, according to the district. Stewart said Romer Elementary School is expected to start with 518 students for the 2026-27 school year. Barksdale Middle School is expected to start with 773 students.
Elementary schools at NISD typically have a capacity of 850 students, while middle schools in the district have a max capacity of 1,200 students, according to a district presentation. Two district elementary schools and three middle schools are either overcapacity during the 2025-26
Northwest ISD approved new attendance boundaries Jan. 12 in preparation of a new elementary school and middle school opening for the 2026-27 school year. Romer Elementary School is located along Wagon Train Trail in the Sendera Ranch neighborhood. Barksdale Middle School is in Northlake, which is one of the fastest-growing areas in the district, NISD Executive Director of Communications Anthony Tosie said. Boundary changes can mitigate overcrowding in some schools as the district continues to grow, NISD interim Chief of Facilities Sarah Stewart said during a presentation Jan. 12. “We want to maintain our teacher-student ratio, minimize future boundary changes, improve efficiencies of our schools and consider the opening of new campuses,” she said. The new boundary changes also take future home developments into account and shift where students in certain areas attend school. The district had three community meetings in December to receive feedback from families about the boundary adjustments. Students affected by rezoning and entering fifth through eighth grade in 2026-27 can choose to stay at their current campus after community feedback, Stewart said, but will not receive transportation. NISD board President Jennifer Murphy said some families may be attached to a neighborhood they just moved into, while others may have lived in the community for years and even attended specific schools themselves. “It’s part of the education process to help our community understand exactly what we’re trying to do and what’s best for every child,” she said.
Future school capacity predictions with and without new schools
2027-28 projection without new school
2027-28 projection with new school
Max capacity
Elementary school student enrollment
Middle school student enrollment
1K
1.5K
850
1,200
1K
500
500
0
0
SOURCE: NORTHWEST ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Mapping it out
Elementary school attendance boundaries
NISD district boundary
287
287
2025-26
2026-27
Romer
377
377
35W
35W
Prairie View
Prairie View
Hatf ield
Hatf ield
287
287
114
114
Carter
Carter
N
N
Middle school attendance boundaries
287
287
2025-26
2026-27
Barksdale
Pike
377
377
35W
35W
Medlin
Medlin
Pike
287
287
Chisholm Trail
Chisholm Trail
Construction for Barksdale Middle School is mostly complete as of January. (Courtesy Northwest ISD)
114
114
Worthington
Worthington
Adams
Adams
N
N
SOURCE: NORTHWEST ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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