HOUSTON – Houston Independent School District Superintendent Mike Miles announced multiple HISD school closures ahead of Thursday’s board meeting, KPRC 2 News has learned.
Multiple sources tell KPRC 2 News that principals were notified of possible closures this afternoon ahead of the board meeting.
Those closures were confirmed with the release of a video where Superintendent Miles announced 12 schools would close for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Those schools are:
- Alcott Elementary School
- Briscoe Elementary School
- Burrus Elementary School
- Cage Elementary School
- Fleming Middle School
- Franklin Elementary School
- Hobby Elementary School
- McReynolds Middle School
- Middle College High School at HCC Gulfton
- Nathaniel Q. Henderson Elementary School
- Port Houston Elementary School
- Ross Elementary School
Miles attributes declining enrollment and costs to maintain aging facilities as reasons for the closures.
“When students are spread across underutilized buildings in need of significant repair, it limits the resources and opportunities we can provide,” Miles said. “Decisions like these are difficult but necessary to ensure we are using our resources responsibly and focusing on what matters most - which is our students.”
Miles said that meetings will be held at impacted campuses for families who have questions and concerns, including at campuses who will be receiving new students. Families can find more information and updates at HoustonISD.org/Closure-Resources in the meantime.
Parents react to the news
HISD parent Jane Taylor KPRC 2 News reporter Jaewon Jung she felt blindsided by the news.
“I just thought it was kind of interesting that it came out right at the place where we could do nothing but just kind of hear it and take it,” said Taylor.
Taylor tells KPRC 2 News she attended Mading Elementary School, one of the schools that will be receiving students from Alcott Elementary if the closures are approved.
“The heartbreak of it is that historically in that neighborhood, we’ve always had both of those two elementary schools,” said Taylor. “Both of them serve two different, you know, but one neighborhood is two different communities. And so there’s a huge loss too.”
Taylor said she is also concerned about students who traditionally walked to their school and if the district will provide transportation to their new campuses.
District leaders said transportation options will be shared with families during the transition process.
When to expect the vote
Before the announcement, Council Member Abbie Kamin and other elected officials were initially at the HISD board meeting asking for leniency for students who protested over Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions last week.
She and other elected officials were informed of the pending announcement from the superintendent regarding the school closures.
“Prior to any final decisions, there must be significant public engagement from the surrounding communities, as well as the families and educators from those schools,” Council Member Kamin told KPRC 2 News.
The board will vote on February 26.
KPRC 2 News has reached out to HISD for comment is at Thursday night’s board meeting to provide the latest updates.