Katy ISD has closed on 51 acres in Grange, a new community by Johnson Development, for an elementary and junior high school, according to a news release.

Johnson Development officials have also announced the launch of an annual scholarship program that will award $5,000 to two KISD high school seniors.

The features

The schools will be situated across the street from each other along Schilpf Road south of Franz Road in Grange—16 acres for an elementary school and 35 acres for the junior high, according to the release.

The junior high is expected to be larger than other junior high campuses in the district and will accommodate 1,400 students, KISD’s Chief Operations Officer Ted Vierling said in the news release. A track and tennis court will also be available for public use outside of school-related activities.

The junior high is anticipated to open in 2028, with construction to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, according to the news release.

The construction and opening timeline for the elementary school are to be determined for a future bond date, Vierling said.

What residents should know

Meanwhile, scholarship applications opened Jan. 1 and will close March 1, with the winners to be announced by April 15, according to the Grange website.

According to the Grange website, in addition to an online application, students must submit:

• A transcript
• Two letters of recommendation
• A resume
• An essay detailing their contributions to the community

“Recipients will have strong community ties and participate in activities that foster a sense of community as well as serving in a leadership capacity within an organization or activity,” Grange Vice President and General Manager Jacob W. Rice said in the news release. “This is not just an individual investment; it is a commitment to the future prosperity of the entire community."

The scholarship amount can go toward college tuition, books, room and board, or anything else related to education, according to the news release.

Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., KISD high school seniors, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled in a two- to five-year institution the following fall to be eligible for the scholarship, according to the release.

Digging deeper

Grange started sales on 301 homesites this fall as part of the initial phase of development, according to the release. When complete, the 1,130-acre community will have approximately 2,400 homes priced from the low $400,000s.

“A Katy address and Katy schools are a big draw for homebuyers,” Rice said in the release. “Welcoming new Katy ISD schools into our community will undoubtedly enhance the appeal of Grange, further elevating its reputation as a prime destination for families.”