Alief Independent School District, also known as Alief ISD, is a school district that is based in southwest Houston, Texas, United States. The district is one of the largest school districts in the state and one of the largest school districts in the United States. Alief ISD is the most ethnically high-performing diverse school district in the state representing over 95 languages and 88 ethnicities. Alief ISD is distinguished by its honors. In 2017, the school district was rated "Exemplary" by the Texas Education Agency. The district is known for its award-winning fine arts program and nationally ranked athletics which makes Alief ISD the best district. Alief ISD, which covers 36.6 sqmi of land, covers a small portion of southwest Houston and parts of unincorporated Harris County. In Houston, Alief ISD serves the Alief community, almost all of the district of Westchase, Keegan's Glen, Leawood, Ashford Park, Bellaire West, Royal Oaks Country Club, Sharpstown, and the Southwest Management District. It also serves a small portion of Brays Oaks. In unincorporated Harris County, Alief ISD serves Wingate, portions of the Mission Bend CDP, and Enclave Crescent Park Village. The Alief ISD area is a part of the Houston Community College System tax base.

History

In 1894, Jacamiah Seaman Daughtery founded the town of Dairy. Until 1906, Addicks, Barker, and Dairy constituted a single School District. From 1906 to 1917, Alief was a Common School District known as Dairy School District #46. In 1917, the district was renamed Alief (since the community was renamed after Alief Ozelda Magee, its postmistress). Alief had only one school until a separate elementary school, Alief Elementary School (now Youens Elementary School), was built in 1964. Bonds passed in the 1960s caused the first modern campuses to open. In 2011 the Brays Oaks district expanded. A small portion of Alief ISD became a part of the district.

Governance

The district offers prekindergarten to children meeting set criteria. To qualify for enrollment in a prekindergarten program, children must be 4 years old by the district's cut-off date. Children also must be either unable to speak or comprehend English or come from families which have a household income at or below the subsistence level as defined by the State Board of Education. Students between the ages of 5 years old and 21 may attend kindergarten through twelfth grade in the district. In addition, students who are between the ages of 21 and 26 may attend high school in the district to complete their high school diploma requirements.

Finances

As of the 2010–2011 school year, the appraised valuation of property in the district was $10,678,843,000. The maintenance tax rate was $0.113 and the bond tax rate was $0.022 per $100 of appraised valuation. As of the 2022-23 school year, the appraised valuation of property in the district was $212,366,606. The maintenance tax rate was $0.9561 and the total operating financial sources for bonds and assets were $80,981,948.

Academic achievement and recognitions

In 2011, the school district was rated "recognized" by the Texas Education Agency. Thirty-five percent of districts in Texas in 2011 received the same rating. No state accountability ratings will be given to districts in 2012. A school district in Texas can receive one of four possible rankings from the Texas Education Agency: Exemplary (the highest possible ranking), Recognized, Academically Acceptable, and Academically Unacceptable (the lowest possible ranking). Historical district TEA accountability ratings Alief ISD has been named one of the top 830 districts that nationally received the National Award for Music Education in its fine arts education. The district was named a District of Distinction by The Texas Art Education Association for the fifth consecutive year.

School uniforms

Students in elementary, intermediate, and middle schools are required to wear school uniforms.

List of schools

Grades K - 4 are considered to be elementary school, 5 - 6 intermediate school, 7 - 8 middle school, and 9 - 12 high school. Each house in the district is assigned to an elementary school, an intermediate school, and a middle school. Alief ISD has an alternative elementary zoning boundary set for bilingual students, as some Alief ISD elementary schools do not offer bilingual programs. High school attendance is chosen by a computer lottery, which can result in the student going to Alief Elsik High School, Alief Hastings High School or Alief Taylor High School. High school students may apply to attend Alief Kerr High School, a magnet school, or they can apply to the newest school Alief Early College High School, which in combination with HCC, provides students the chance to get their associate degree at the same time as their diploma. The newly Alief ISD Center for Advanced Careers building which is also known as the Marshall Center for Advanced Careers, are for high school students who are assigned to Hastings, Elsik and Taylor offers students the tools to achieve the level of their academic careers based on their career cluster. The center offers courses in architectural design, automotive technology, engineering design, construction technology, culinary arts, digital design, health science, industrial robotics, IT, veterinary science and welding and more to choose from.

Secondary schools

High schools

There are four high schools in Houston and one in unincorporated Harris County, a total of five high schools in the district. Regular (zoned) Magnet

Middle schools

There are 4 middle schools in Houston and 2 in unincorporated Harris County, a total of 6 middle schools in the district.

Primary schools

Intermediate schools

There are 5 intermediate schools in Houston and 1 in unincorporated Harris County, a total of 6 intermediate schools in the district.

Elementary schools

There are 20 elementary schools in Houston and 5 in unincorporated Harris County, a total of 25 elementary schools in the district.

Alternative schools

There is one alternative school in Houston.

Early learning centers

There are two early learning centers, with a total of 2 early learning centers in the district.

Other schools and facilities

Facilities

In addition to school campuses, the district has several other facilities for students, staff, and administrators. The Leroy Crump Stadium is home to many athletic events. The Steven Lloyd Ness Natatorium, located on High Star across the street from the Hastings and Elsik campus, houses the district's swimming pools. The district administration offices are on High Star. The maintenance office and nutrition annex are on High Star as well. The district bus depot is on Synott. The district has its own police force. The police station is located on 12135 1/2 High Star. The police force enforces the district's "Zero Tolerance" policy.