Houston ISD families will need to start their back-to-school shopping earlier this summer.
Texas’ largest district will begin classes two weeks sooner than usual in the upcoming academic year after HISD’s board of managers voted unanimously Thursday to approve a new calendar for 2024-25. The schedule includes 180 days of instruction, eight more than this year, as part of Superintendent Mike Miles’ plan to help students make up ground in their learning.
The vote followed a months-long process that included gaining “District of Innovation” status and polling the HISD community about their priorities for the calendar.
“Our kids, who are behind on the whole, need more time,” Miles said. “A lot can be done with two weeks of school.”
what’s new in this story
- Debates over extending the HISD school year have been ongoing for months, but now the new calendar is final.
- Parents and teachers shared their perspectives, showing how the change has divided the community.
However, many families opposed the move, voicing concerns that students need time to decompress, campus buildings may be too hot and teachers deserve a longer break. Under the new calendar, most teachers will have about eight weeks of summer break, while new teachers will have closer to seven and principals will have six.