The best K-12 private schools in Houston

Every family has unique priorities when identifying the best private schools in Houston, but regardless of what’s on your must-have list, your perfect match may be listed here. The Houston K-12 private schools on this list were voted the Houston Chronicle’s Best of the Best Private Schools, giving them locals’ stamp of approval. These impressive schools offer students features like small class sizes, personalized attention and college preparation curricula to ensure higher test scores and post-secondary success. Review each school to find the best match for your young scholar. view article  

First freeze of the season to hit Texas Panhandle, chance of first snow looms

Forecasters called it a "killing freeze" that will end the growing season for farmers.The first freeze of the season is arriving tonight across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, with temperatures expected to plunge well below freezing—the region's first real taste of winter. view article  

Texas put its chief financial officer in charge of school vouchers. Here’s what you need to know.

Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this year signed a law authorizing a $1 billion private school voucher program, tapping the state comptroller’s office as the entity responsible for its creation.   The law grants Texas’ chief financial officer tremendous authority to build the infrastructure around education savings accounts, a type of voucher program that will allow families to receive taxpayer money to cover their children’s private school or home-schooling costs.   The agency’s responsibilities include choosing the companies that will receive millions of dollars to help administer the program, creating the rules that participating families must follow and producing annual reports on the program’s outcomes.    view article  

BREAKING: Texas Education Agency Takes Over Fort Worth ISD

n a move that's been months in the making, the TEA and Mike Morath will make FWISD their own. view article  

New TASB Officers Elected for 2025-26

Austin— The 2025-26 officers for the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) were elected during the Association’s 2025 Delegate Assembly, which was held Sept. 13 in Houston. New TASB President Tony Hopkins of Friendswood ISD succeeds Immediate Past President Rolinda Schmidt of Kerrville ISD. Mary Jane Hetrick of Dripping Springs ISD now serves as president-elect. First vice-president is Dan Micciche of Dallas ISD, and second vice-president is Sylvia Sánchez Garza of South Texas ISD. Justin Chapa of Arlington ISD serves as secretary-treasurer.  view article  

Fort Worth ISD takeover was largely based on STAAR, despite plans to replace it

Both Republicans and Democrats have said STAAR sets students up for failure, raising questions about basing a state takeover on the test’s results.  The state takeover of the Fort Worth Independent School District is largely based on student performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness — a testing system that came under scrutiny this year and led state lawmakers to replace it over concerns that it set students up for failure. view article  

Texas Lawmakers Tackle Growing Threat to Cattle and Hunting Industries From Flesh-Eating Parasite

The House Agriculture and Livestock Committee heard from experts and concerned citizens about the dangers of a parasite making its way toward the U.S. border from Mexico.    With Texas agriculture officials warning of the dire threat posed by a flesh-eating parasite advancing toward the U.S.-Mexico border, state lawmakers are considering how to confront the looming reemergence of the New World screwworm—an invasive pest experts say could devastate the state’s livestock and hunting industries unless swift action is taken.  The New World screwworm is a parasite native to South America that eats the tissue of warm-blooded mammals. view article  

State Rep. Mitch Little Calls for Transparency in Celina ISD Sexual Abuse Scandal

The case stems from a coach’s illegal recording of undressed middle school boys in the locker room.   view article  

Fort Worth ISD takeover was largely based on STAAR test, despite plans to replace it

The state takeover of the Fort Worth Independent School District is largely based on student performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness — a testing system that came under scrutiny this year and led state lawmakers to replace it over concerns that it set students up for failure. The widespread criticism of STAAR has prompted questions about the fairness of the takeover, including whether the state should replace an elected school board and a superintendent if the test driving the decision does not adequately capture student learning. view article  

Many Texans will pay more for ACA health insurance. Here’s what to know about open enrollment.

The annual window to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act opens Nov. 1, and many Texans are expected to pay more for coverage this year.  Enhanced premium tax credits that have helped ACA enrollees shave off the cost of their premiums are slated to expire at the end of the year. The loss of the subsidies will have an outsized effect on Texas, where nearly 4 million people signed up for ACA coverage this year. Policy experts fear that ratcheting up the cost of ACA coverage will make it so unaffordable that people will drop health insurance coverage altogether.  Additionally, funding for navigators, which helped 26,533 Texans sign up for ACA last year, has been reduced by 90% this year. view article  

Texas AG Probes Security Camera Company for Potential Chinese Communist Party Ties

Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Lorex Technology Inc. over concerns that its products may be tied to the Chinese Communist Party and present a risk to national security.   Paxton’s probe targets whether Lorex, a security camera company that was previously owned by the Chinese tech giant Dahua, is deceptively marketing surveillance cameras to Texans as safe and secure.   Lorex confirmed that it is aware of the attorney general’s probe and wrote, “We fully intend to contest the allegations made by the Attorney General, and we are confident that a fair hearing will determine that Lorex has taken the appropriate steps to safeguard customer privacy.”  Federal agencies have flagged Dahua as a “Chinese military company” and have implemented bans and restrictions on its products due to hacking and surveillance risks.​ view article  

Principal who held ‘not sanctioned’ meeting will not return to Dallas high school

The Dallas ISD principal who allegedly called a meeting of only Black students to discuss their academic performance will not return to her job. In a letter sent to parents Tuesday night, Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde told Woodrow Wilson High parents that “after reviewing preliminary details,” principal Chandra Hooper-Barnett will not return. view article  

Milano ISD mourning death of Superintendent Dr. Elisabeth Avila Luevanos

Milano ISD Superintendent Dr. Elisabeth Avila Luevanos has died following a recent accident, the district has announced. The district described Luevanos as a "devoted leader, educator and advocate for students whose impact on our schools and community will be felt for years to come." view article  

Boyd ISD approves separation agreement with construction company

Boyd ISD is now looking for a new construction company after the district’s board of trustees approved a letter of separation with Gallagher Construction during its October meeting last week. Superintendent Tom Woody presented a letter from Gallagher Construction president Jeff Fisher citing the company’s desire to cancel its partnership due to a disagreement concerning the building of a road planned to be built on the district’s property on Cemetery Road. view article  

Celina ISD faces lawsuit for sexual misconduct under new state law

Texas school districts could be held liable for sexual misconduct involving teachers and students thanks to a new state law. State Representative Mitch Little from Lewisville discussed that law on Wednesday at a press conference at the Collin County courthouse in McKinney, where a pending lawsuit against Celina ISD accuses a former football coach of filming students undressing in the boys locker room. view article  

Austin ISD families rally to save Maplewood Elementary as district refines closure plan

Austin ISD is moving forward with updates to its sweeping consolidation plan that could close 13 schools, including Maplewood Elementary, a 74-year-old campus with a long community legacy and the district’s only “A”-rated school among those proposed for closure. As trustees listened to some of the adjustments during a Wednesday night work session, Maplewood families gathered in a different kind of meeting, one filled with music and messages of unity. view article  

Lockhart ISD to break ground on $90M middle school in early 2026

Lockhart Independent School District will break ground on a $90 million middle school in early 2026 after it got a donation from the Red Oak Development Group. In a news release from Red Oak Development Group, the 589-acre land is in the “interconnected community” known as Moxie. Construction of Phase One (infrastructure) will begin in fall 2025, with a grand opening set for spring 2026. view article  

Spring Hill ISD voters weigh tax rate election, $20 million bond for school upgrades

Spring Hill ISD voters will decide this November whether to approve a new bond package and a property tax rate increase. The district says the funds would support academic programs, facility upgrades and student services. Proposition A is the voter-approval tax rate election. Spring Hill ISD is asking voters to consider a 3.2-cent tax increase per $100 of taxable property value. The increase would provide additional funding for academic programs, extracurricular activities and student support services. view article  

Beaumont ISD teachers could earn six figures through state incentive program

Some Beaumont ISD teachers will soon be able to make six figures through the Teacher Incentive Allotment, or TIA program, which is in its early phases in the district. The Texas Education Agency approved the district's application in August for incentives in teacher pay. BISD receives an annual amount for each eligible teacher and may use the funds to incentivize teachers to stay. Teachers can also receive more money depending on the students they serve. view article  

Boerne ISD bets on high-tech defense: drones meant to confront school shooters in seconds

An idea plucked straight out of a sci-fi movie will soon land at Boerne Independent School District campuses — drones meant to stop school shooters. “I’ve grown so much to appreciate the concept now, but my initial reaction was no, this doesn’t make any sense,” said Rick Goodrich, the district’s chief of safety and security. KSAT Investigates view article  

Some Austin ISD parents plan to rally at Bryker Woods Elementary School against consolidation plan

Hundreds of people are planning to rally at Bryker Woods Elementary School in Austin against the school district's consolidation plan. view article  

Leon ISD school teacher fired following allegations of misconduct with student

The Leon school district in Leon County has shared a statement about action taken Monday evening on a teacher who was placed on leave last week by the school district. view article  

Celina ISD potentially facing more lawsuits in Caleb Elliott case

There are increasing calls for transparency, along with more threats of legal action, in the case of former Celina ISD teacher and coach Caleb Elliott. The community is also grappling with the district's decision to place Bill Elliott, the suspect's father, who is also the head football coach at Celina High School and the district's athletic director, on 'non-disciplinary' paid leave. view article  

Fort Bend ISD mom claims 6-year-old assaulted by other students

A Fort Bend ISD mother claims that her 6-year-old son with autism was sexually assaulted by other students back in September. The mother, who FOX 26 is keeping anonymous for the safety of her child, says that on the 17th, her son's elementary school called her to say that "her son was walking funny" and had to be picked up from school. view article  

ASPERMONT ISD APPROVES PHASE 2 CONSTRUCTION FOR 2024 BOND PROJECT

The Aspermont ISD Board of Trustees approved the second phase of its 2024 bond construction plan during last week’s meeting, authorizing a major renovation project that will upgrade the district’s gymnasium, locker rooms, restrooms, and several classroom areas. The $3.78 million contract was awarded to Henthorn Commercial Construction of Lubbock, with Gallagher Construction Services managin.. view article  

Central Texas School District Reviews Books To Ensure Compliance With Law

New Braunfels ISD closed down school libraries for 10 days to review books for sexual content and DEI instruction.
  Trustees from New Braunfels Independent School District have reopened school libraries following a 10-day closure to review books in the district’s system.   The closure began on October 13, when trustees unanimously approved the closure of district libraries to review books and ensure compliance with Senate Bill 13. The measure is intended to protect children from sexual ideology and increase transparency in content accessible to children. During the closure, the district identified 80 books that will be reviewed, with several already having been determined to contain content that is not in compliance with SB 13. Among the titles that are still under review by the district are several that contain radical sexual ideology and sexually explicit content. view article  

$2.26 Billion Cash Injection Brings U.S. Lithium Explorers Back Into Focus

The White House and GM just backed Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass with an unprecedented investment - reshaping the battery supply chain and drawing new attention to the explorer next door.  The White House just made a power move.  In September 2025, they announced a 5% equity stake in Lithium Americas and another 5% stake in its GM joint venture at Thacker Pass. The package activates a $2.26 billion federal loan, with an initial $435 million draw to accelerate the project into productioni view article  

Texas Reports Record Honeybee Losses That Reflect National Decline

Texas has lost 61 percent of its honeybee colony population over the early spring and summer, a decline that reflects a similar trend across the U.S. This may have a national impact on food supplies. In January, reports from U.S. beekeepers of high honeybee colony losses began to surface. The data collected showed not only the highest loss of bee colonies on record, but also, unlike most years, the high loss mostly affected commercial operations.  With losses stacking into the summer, data from Apiary Inspectors of America shows that more than 55 percent of U.S. bee colonies disappeared, equating to a national loss of 1.7 million colonies out of about 2.7 million colonies in America.    In economic terms, that meant an estimated loss of $600 million.   Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that Texas is home to nearly 271,000 of these colonies, ranking third in the nation.  view article  

Federal Appeals Court to Reconsider West Texas A&M Drag Show Ban

The legal battle over West Texas A&M University’s drag show ban has taken a new turn after the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to rehear the case en banc—that is, before all 17 active judges of the appellate court.   This development means the court has vacated an earlier 2-1 panel ruling that had temporarily blocked the university’s drag ban and found that Spectrum WT, the campus LGBT student group, was likely to succeed on First Amendment grounds.​   The earlier ruling, issued in August, sided with the student group and said that the drag show was protected expressive conduct, and that the campus venue was a designated public forum subject to strict constitutional scrutiny.  view article  

Big pay hikes for school administrators in 2025, while outcomes remain low

The 2025 school year was déjà vu all over again – nice pay increases for many administrators and persistently low student outcomes. ACT college-readiness in English, Reading, Math, and Science set another low record, dropping from 32% in 2015 to just 17% in 2025.

Editors Note: We often post articles form organizations that are known for not supporting Public Ed. We post these for you to read because these are what your public is reading. The folks on your board or coming to your office and at TexasISD.com we think it is important to know and understand both sides of these issues to adequately debate and defend Public Ed.

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Texas education leaders ban foreign exchange students from high school sports

"They are allowed to get on a plane and come across to our state and play immediately, taking the place, many times, of a community kid."  The University Interscholastic League will no longer allow foreign exchange students to take part in varsity sports. view article  

Nacogdoches elementary school unveils new playground to students

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - After years of need and months of preparation, Raguet Elementary has now opened its new playground for all students to enjoy.​   Julia Wells, the principal of Raguet Elementary, said that the new playground for the over 400 students who attend the school was a long time coming.  ​Eight years of wanting change behind the scenes, to the approval for the new Raguet Elementary playground last April, all led to the last three weeks of it all being put together.​  “(It’s) something everyone can enjoy. Every student from our smallest kindergartner to our biggest fifth grader, that everyone has the opportunity, that there’s something that attracts them,” Wells said.​ “To see them enjoying this, my heart is so happy.”​ view article  

SNAP cutoff could hurt Texas grocers and the rest of the economy, experts say

The ongoing government shutdown means more than $600 million per month won’t go to millions of Texas SNAP beneficiaries who pump that money into the state economy. view article  

Houston ISD sues state AG to keep PR firm emails from 13 Investigates

The Houston Independent School District filed a lawsuit against the Texas Attorney General's Office in an attempt to keep public information from our 13 Investigates team. 13 Investigates has been formally requesting information about the district's relationship with the agency for months and hasn't gotten any answers, so sending an open records request for emails was our next move. view article  

Killeen ISD approves school closures, consolidations to save $100 million

The Killeen ISD Board of Trustees approved a series of school closures and consolidations Tuesday designed to save more than $100 million over five years, according to district officials. The optimization plan includes closing three schools at the end of the 2025-2026 school year and making several program changes as part of what district officials call a strategic effort to improve efficiency and strengthen student programs. view article