The Houston school district has proposed closing 12 schools in 2026 as it seeks to address declining enrollment and aging facilities.
The Houston Chronicle reports that state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles, who promised in 2023 that he wouldn't close schools in his first two years, now says the district, the largest in Texas, can no longer delay the issue.
Miles has recommended 12 school closures or consolidations, largely affecting elementary schools.
These schools are on the list for closure or consolidation:
- Nat Q. Henderson Elementary School
- Port Houston Elementary School
- Ross Elementary School
- Burrus Elementary School
- Franklin Elementary School
- Alcott Elementary School
- Briscoe Elementary School
- Fleming Middle School and McReynolds Middle School are to be co-located with Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men.
- Hobby Elementary School is to be co-located to Lawson Middle School. Pre-K and kindergarten students at Hobby will attend Martin Luther King Jr. Early Childhood Center.
- Middle College High School at HCC Gulfton will be co-located with Liberty High School.
- Cage Elementary School will be co-located with Lantrip Elementary School.
This school year, Houston has seen its student numbers decline by 7,900 students.
In February 2025, Miles said school closures "must be considered" because the district's enrollment had dropped by 30,000 in the past decade. But in November, the district backed away from the idea, stating publicly that it would not close schools in 2026-27.
Miles now says that his administration reversed course on closures because of structural issues, a "greater than expected" enrollment decrease and deteriorating facility conditions.
The district says that 96 campuses have an Facilities Condition Index above 65% in 2026, which indicates "critical issues that would typically require a complete facility replacement." Nearly 25% of campuses are operating below 50% of their total capacity this year.
The district's state-appointed board of managers is expected to vote on the proposal on Feb. 26.
