Katy ISD and Lamar CISD were two of the few districts in the state that did not see a decrease in enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Texas Education Agency.
What’s happening?
While Katy ISD has seen consistent enrollment growth since 2016, the district’s lower enrollment in 2025 is due to the declining birth rates statewide, the buildout of residential subdivisions in the Katy area and the aging of the overall student population in Texas.
Demographic firm Population and Survey Analysts found Katy ISD’s students have been aging through the grade levels for the past decade. Larger cohorts are concentrated in grades 5-11, while recent kindergarten and elementary classes are smaller.
Meanwhile, LCISD officials said kindergarten and overall enrollment are projected to increase up to 2031.
LCISD Chief Learning Officer Christ Cottongame said the district’s demographer Zonda Demographics found growth has “slowed down just a little bit,” though is expected to increase between 1,600-1,900 students per year for at least the next 10 years.
Cottongame said growth is occurring all over the district, but there is a focus on Fulshear.
Diving in deeper
Officials from both districts said they work closely with demographers by studying data and trends to prepare for the future.
Cottongame said Lamar CISD’s bond office and enrollment management team’s job is to monitor where to purchase land to build their new schools.
“We try to stay ahead of that growth by being able to build the school and have this school ready to open before our other schools get too overcrowded,” Cottongame said.
Also of note
Katy ISD and Lamar CISD are launching and continuing new programs in the 2026-27 school year aimed at retaining and recruiting students.
Emily Craig, Katy ISD’s assistant superintendent of school leadership and campus support, said the district is opening its Legacy Virtual High School to allow students and families more flexibility in the services they provide.
Additionally, Katy ISD offers limited open enrollment at the high school level for neighboring students to have the opportunity to join the district.
This year, Cottongame said Lamar CISD is opening Bright Futures Academy for students with special needs along with the district's new career and technical education center.
Lamar CISD will also be continuing its “Innovative Learning” program where experts from multiple fields visit campuses to teach students skills outside of the standard curriculum.
Why it matters
Public school districts receive funding based on attendance rather than total enrollment, according to the Texas Association of School Boards. Attendance is taken daily and a formula is used to determine how much funding districts receive.
“It all comes down to attendance, which is the main driver and what the state is able to provide for all school districts,” Cottongame said. “If the kids aren't there, the money doesn't come.”
