That was John and Melissa Lindley’s priority as they searched for the best fit for their first-grade daughter, Jenna. At the time, Jenna was attending a private school, but it wasn’t the right environment for her.
“We weren't happy at the school that we were in and felt there was something missing,” Melissa Lindley said. “It wasn't giving her the full experience we were looking for.”
After hearing positive things about Humble ISD, the Lindleys began researching and came across the district’s limited open enrollment program, which allows families who live outside district boundaries to apply for available seats at select campuses. This offered the best of both worlds: Jenna could attend a school that met her needs, while the family remained in their current home.
To find the best campus for Jenna, the Lindleys toured several Humble ISD elementary schools—a step she encourages other families to take as well. Jenna played an active role in the decision-making process and immediately connected with the welcoming atmosphere and student-led initiatives, including a club that creates bracelets and welcome messages for new students, at the Lindleys’ selected school.
“The whole atmosphere was so welcoming. We instinctively knew the school was for us,” Melissa Lindley said. “The principal is committed to making the students feel heard and seen, and it was evident that all of the staff [members] we encountered genuinely loved their jobs and were committed to providing the best school experience for the students.”
Growth and parental involvement
Since enrolling in March, Jenna has flourished. She has become more outgoing, reconnected with her love for learning and even earned recognition from her teachers for exemplifying key qualities such as leadership, creativity and personal responsibility—traits the district encourages across all campuses.
“She loves school again. She comes home, and she lines [her baby dolls] up to make a preschool. She teaches them what she learned during the day,” Melissa Lindley said.
She added that Jenna is now eager to get up in the mornings, despite the family’s 30-minute commute each way.
“She is not a morning person, but she has no problem waking up. She wants to go to school, and she wants to learn,” Melissa Lindley said. “She looks forward to the school’s fun dress-up days, like pajama day or ‘go Astros’ day, which build a strong sense of unity and school spirit. She’s eager to join in on just about anything the school promotes. She simply loves her school and, after the initial transition period, has been so happy with the change in schools. [This includes] making new friends and participating in afterschool programs, like swimming, that are geared to the students living in the subdivision for our limited enrollment school.”
Melissa Lindley also praised the smaller class sizes and the level of parental involvement, such as volunteer opportunities, encouraged by the school.
“I value the opportunity to volunteer and to be part of Jenna’s school experience,” Melissa Lindley said. “She loves it when I help in the library because she gets to go in early and help put away books. I love getting a glimpse of how wonderful the school is from the inside.”
To help families stay informed and engaged, the district offers multiple communication tools, including email and text alerts, as well as a dedicated app. This makes it easy for parents to keep up to date on school updates and events, such as the Humble ISD Fine Arts Festival and Battle of the Books.
Advice to families considering a change
For parents considering a similar move, Melissa Lindley’s advice is simple: give it a try.
“Change is scary, but if you're not happy and looking for a change, it is a wonderful program to utilize,” she said. “These are the fun times. Kids are only little once, so we wanted her to have the best school experience... I am incredibly thankful for Humble ISD because they are giving her the best school experience we could ask for.”
As Humble ISD continues to welcome students from outside its boundaries, stories like the Lindleys’ reflect the district’s commitment to providing well-rounded, high-quality educational experiences that prepare students to think critically, communicate effectively and succeed in a complex world.
To learn more about Humble ISD’s open enrollment options and view available campuses, visit humbleisd.net/openenrollment.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Sydney Heller with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
