The 2024 HISD Convocation treated thousands of educators, staff, and administrators, both in person and virtually, to a spirited and inspiring kickoff to the 2024-2025 school year. The event featured a student-led musical, heartfelt stories from students and parents, and highlights from the District’s year-one transformation progress.

Over the last year, HISD embraced innovative and systemic change under the New Education System (NES), dedicated significant resources to fostering the leadership and instructional capacity of school principals to support teachers, and improved the quality of instruction district-wide.

The first year of transformation led to some of the District’s highest ever recorded academic gains in reading and math.

“This group here, your students had at least a 5% increase in math and a 5% increase in reading. That’s a huge increase, and this room is filled with the teachers who did that work with their kids,” said Superintendent Miles. “Yes, we should celebrate the numbers and pay attention to them, but at the end of the day, there are kids and teachers behind these numbers. That’s the real deal.”

Additionally, preliminary state accountability data shows HISD drastically reduced the number of D- and F-rated schools by nearly two-thirds—from 121 schools in 2023 to 41 in 2024. This improvement was particularly significant at NES schools, where the number of D- and F-rated schools dropped nearly 80%—from 63 schools to 14.

Across the District, the number of A- and B-rated schools increased 82%—from 93 in 2023 to 170 in 2024. NES campuses achieved a remarkable 480% increase, with 53 campuses rated A or B in 2024, compared to 11 in 2023.

The ratings show that HISD is engaged in a transformative effort that benefits all schools, not just the NES campuses. The number of D- and F-rated non-NES campuses also decreased and the number of A and B non-NES campuses increased 30% from 2023-2024.

The District’s educators and staff, including teachers, principals, support staff, and many others, have provided invaluable support to students during this transformational period. Principals have been instrumental in leading their schools, providing strong strategic vision to support teachers and foster a high-performance culture. Teachers have shown exceptional dedication and adaptability in embracing new high-quality instructional methods and materials.

“I’m most excited about this school year opening up with a beautiful rating and continuing that work with the new Key Middle School and positive energy,” said Key Middle School principal Shundra Harris-Mosley. “The teachers who are coming back are already familiar with NES, so all we’re doing is fine-tuning, sharpening up, and taking things to the next level.”

For the 2024-2025 school year, HISD will build on the progress made last year by focusing on a number of key priorities, including continuing to focus on the quality of instruction, improving lesson plans and curricular materials, bettering special education instruction and services, and adding additional Pre-K seats this academic year with a focus on underserved areas. Year over year, this continued progress will result in a school district that not only meets today’s challenges but prepares its students for the future.