Houston ISD students will be welcomed back to campuses Aug. 10, but families might have a few tasks left to complete before the start of the 2026-27 school year.
The big picture
New HISD students must be enrolled, while the Annual Student Update must be completed for returning students, according to HISD’s website. To enroll new students, items needed are:
- The student’s birth certificate
- A parent/guardian’s ID
- Proof of grade
- Proof of address
- Vaccination records
To re-enroll returning students, HISD needs:
- Updated primary contact information
- Emergency contacts
For more information on the enrollment process, contact [email protected] or visit www.houstonisd.org/schools-academics/student-enrollment.
Keep in mind
Thirty-three Houston ISD schools will not automatically serve free lunch and breakfast to all students during the 2026-27 school year, but individual students at the campuses may still qualify to receive the service, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Applications for HISD’s School Nutrition Meal Application opened July 22 and are open to students attending one of the 33 schools not participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision, according to HISD’s website.
Qualifying for free or reduced-price meals depends on household incomes and federal eligibility, according to HISD’s website. Families are encouraged to apply for their student, regardless of whether they believe they will qualify.
To learn more about the School Nutrition Meal Application, visit www.houstonisd.org/families-students/nutrition-services/student-meals-overview. For help filling out an application, contact 713-491-5944 or [email protected].
Mapping it out
HISD school buses will shuttle students back and forth between home and school, usually if they live more than 2 miles from their zoned school, according to HISD’s website. Some exceptions exist, and students can be bussed if they qualify, such as:
- If a student must walk a route HISD officials have deemed dangerous
- If a student attends a school that isn’t their zoned campus because of overenrollment, and they live 2 or more miles from campus
- If a student is enrolled at a school to access a specialized program, such as a unique special education program or language program, and lives 2 or more miles from campus
Parents or guardians can fill out a Transportation Survey here to have their child be considered for bus pickup and drop-off.
For more information on bussing, visit www.houstonisd.org/families-students/transportation.
