New Caney ISD’s community gathered Aug. 18 for a ribbon-cutting celebrating the opening of the district’s newest campus, Highlands Elementary School.

The gist

After about 16 months of construction, Highlands Elementary—a 110,000-square-foot campus—officially opened Aug. 6 for the start of the 2025-26 school year. Rodree Carlile—the former principal at Kings Manor Elementary—is leading the school after being named principal Jan. 6.

“We're not just opening buildings, we're opening possibilities,” Carlile said Aug. 18. “At Highlands—a STEM-infused international baccalaureate primary year program candidate school—our students will tackle real problems, lead with empathy and connect across cultures. Thank you to our board ... our district leaders, staff, our families, our parents and the community for believing in what's possible.”Highlands Elementary is a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Primary Year Program, as previously reported by Community Impact. Fifty students per grade level—first through fifth grade—were accepted at the campus for a total of 250 students. In the 2026-27 school year and after, transfer applications can be submitted for first grade students.

The background

Highlands Elementary is NCISD’s 12th elementary school, and it cost around $44 million to build, according to NCISD’s website. The construction of the campus was funded by the district’s $695 million bond package, which was approved by voters in May 2023.

“This is one of those times it's just really cool to be in my position to see this [school] come from a vacant piece of land. ... This building is all for you [the students] and the teachers in it, and so we just hope you enjoy your time here at Highlands Elementary,” Superintendent Matt Calvert said Aug. 18.

Hannah Brol contributed to this report.