Enrollment erosion From the cover
Facility Condition Index of schools closing A campus’ FCI score is calculated by dividing the total cost of repairs by the cost of replacing the facility, which can result in scores greater than 100.
The cost
What’s happening
Besides enrollment loss, Miles said one of the biggest factors in the district’s decision was the increasing cost of maintenance at most of the schools proposed for closure. He estimated that the cost of rebuilding an ele- mentary school would be around $75 million , while the cost to renovate an elementary school would be around $40 million. Of the 12 campuses scheduled to close, nine are elementary schools. In November 2024, roughly 58% of voters voted against the district’s $4.4 billion bond program, which would have provided funds for school renovations, safety improvements and security upgrades, according to Harris County Elections. HISD used the Facility Condition Index to compare the condition of its facilities as of this year. A score of 65% or more typically means the building should be replaced. Nine of the 12 closing campuses received FCI scores of 65% or higher, with two campuses that will receive students of the closing schools also scoring above 65%.
Enrollment loss has been steady at HISD for years, according to a Jan. 15 report released by the University of Houston’s Institute for Education Policy Research & Evaluation. However, a growing number of students have been leaving the district since the state took over the district in June 2023, the report shows. From the 2022-23 to the 2024-25 school year, the district lost roughly 13,200 students, or about 7% of its total population. Courtney Isaak Pichon, CEO of area education nonpro t Good Reason Houston, said the decline is not a problem unique to HISD. “Most large urban districts are seeing that major decline in enrollment, and our districts aren’t even necessarily on the top of those lists,” Isaak Pichon said. Isaak Pichon pointed to several factors she believes are contributing to the decline, including demographic shifts, immigration enforcement, expanding school choice and lingering fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alcott Briscoe Burrus Cage Franklin Henderson Hobby Port Houston Betsy Ross
52%
50%
76%
82%
87% 86%
82% 83%
90%
Fleming
105%
McReynolds
75%
Gulfton Middle
N/A Buildings with a score of 65% or higher typically need to be replaced.
College
SOURCE: HOUSTON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Houston ISD student enrollment Houston ISD has seen a growing decline in student enrollment over the last decade.
Another viewpoint
of learning, stability and pride. Closing it would not just shutter a school ... it erases a tangible piece of our history.” Deysy Arellano, a Port Houston Elementary parent, expressed concern about the distance some children will need to walk to their new campus. “We walked the route our children will be expected to take for the other campus,” Arellano said. “It took us 30 minutes. Do you expect a child to walk 30 minutes?”
216,098
Before HISD’s board of managers voted to close the 12 schools during the Feb. 26 meeting, parents, students and elected trustees urged the district to vote against closing schools or to at least delay the decision. Community member Billy Williams expressed concerns about closing Burrus Elementary. “Burrus is not just a building, it is a living land- mark,” Williams said. “For generations, it has been the heart of our historic Black neighborhood. A place
168,812
School year
Greater Houston area school district enrollment loss
The distance from closing schools to relocated campuses varies between less than a mile and three miles. School distance
*THESE SCHOOLS WILL BE CO-LOCATED AND OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY IN THE NEW CAMPUS NOTE: THE DRIVE AND WALK TIMES WERE CALCULATED THROUGH THE USE OF GOOGLE MAPS AT 3 P.M. ON A TUESDAY.
From the 2020-21 to the 2024-25 school year, Aldine ISD lost the highest percentage of its students in the region, followed by HISD in second and Alief ISD in third.
Distance in miles
Walk time in minutes
Drive time in minutes
Closing schools
New schools students will attend
Alcott Elementary Briscoe Elementary Burrus Elementary Franklin Elementary
Mading Elementary Carrillo Elementary Kennedy Elementary Gallegos Elementary Bruce Elementary Pleasantville Elementary Roosevelt Elementary
0.9 1.6 2.0 0.7 2.0 1.3 3.3 1.9 0.5 1.9 2.2
13
4 7 7 3 6 5
29 38
15
Henderson Elementary Port Houston Elementary
40 23 66 41 12 42 43 38
0% -5%
12
Betsy Ross Elementary
Clemente Martinez Elementary
6 4
-10% -15% -20%
Cage Elementary* Hobby Elementary* Fleming Middle* McReynolds Middle*
Lantrip Elementary Lawson Middle School
7 7
Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men
2.1
6
*NOTE: TOTAL IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
SOURCES: HOUSTON ISD, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCES: HOUSTON ISD, GOOGLE MAPS/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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