HOUSTON – Newly-obtained data by KPRC 2 News shows the HISD is experiencing another decline in student enrollment.
According to internal numbers, HISD’s current enrollment stands at 168,409 students, down 8,321 from the previous school year, when enrollment was 176,730.
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In a statement to KPRC 2, HISD acknowledged the downward trend but said there is no single cause behind the drop. The district noted that large, urban non-charter school districts across Texas are seeing similar declines, while many suburban and rural districts in the Houston area are reporting growth.
HISD pointed to rapid housing development and population shifts in communities surrounding Houston as factors driving enrollment increases outside the city. The district also referenced research from Rice University’s Kinder Institute showing that much of Houston’s population growth in recent years has been among non–school-age residents.
In May, Superintendent Mike Miles said that in the past 10 years, about 30,000 students have left the district. This decline means that the district has to think carefully about how to use its resources effectively.
District officials say they are analyzing trends within their control, listening to families, and continuing efforts to improve schools to keep students.
HISD released the following statement:
HISD is aware of current enrollment trends. While there is no single cause, our team is working to understand and address underlying factors.
We do know that large urban non-charter districts across the state are experiencing a drop in enrollment. This corresponds with an increase in enrollment in our suburbs and rural districts in the Houston area, mirroring a similar statewide trend. Houston-adjacent communities are rapidly seeing significant housing development and an increase in population shifts, which leads to greater enrollment numbers. We also know that as the Houston population grows, per Kinder Institute, this growth is most drastically experienced in non-school-aged demographics.
HISD is also examining factors within our control, listening to families, and continuing to improve our schools so they remain the top choice for Houston families.