Today's students, tomorrow's workforce: How Splendora ISD Education Foundation is investing in East Montgomery County

• Splendora may be a small town just 12 minutes from New Caney, but its economic connections extend throughout East Montgomery County. Families, educators and students contribute to the regional economy through employment, shopping, health care and other services.

For the Splendora ISD Education Foundation, this connection is central to its mission. Public education supports local businesses and essential industries by preparing the next generation of workers.

"The students that are in our district are our regional economy's future workforce," said Katie Key, director of the Splendora ISD Education Foundation.

How do public schools impact the regional economy?

Public education supports the regional economy in three key ways:

1. Preparing the future workforce: Hospitals, banks, construction companies and local businesses depend on skilled workers. Today's Splendora ISD students could become the region's future health care professionals, technicians, educators and entrepreneurs.

2. Supporting regional economic activity: Splendora families and school employees regularly travel throughout East Montgomery County for work, shopping, dining and medical care, contributing to businesses beyond district boundaries.

3. Developing essential workplace skills: Beyond academics, public schools teach teamwork, communication, problem-solving and leadership skills that prepare students for future careers.

Key said the foundation aims to strengthen connections between students and regional businesses, creating opportunities for career exploration and professional development.

"It's not necessarily that it's money-based, but it's relationship-based," Key said.

Even for residents without school-age children, investing in public education helps prepare the workers who will support local businesses and essential services for years to come.

How does the foundation connect education and the economy?

With approximately 60% of Splendora ISD students considered economically disadvantaged, expanding access to career exploration and academic resources is especially important.

The foundation helps bridge these opportunity gaps through several initiatives.

1. Sponsoring test preparation and academic support

College entrance exam preparation can be expensive for families. To expand access, the foundation sponsors events offering instruction, practice materials and meals.

• Pizza Pie and PSAT: Approximately 130 high school students recently attended a test preparation event led by Mastery Prep instructors. The foundation helped cover workbooks and food, including pie prepared by district culinary arts students. Another event, Spaghetti and SAT, is planned for the spring.

• Rising Scholars Night: The foundation also supports test preparation opportunities for academically advanced junior high students through the district's Rising Scholars program.

2. Supporting CTE and student success

Career and technical education (CTE) programs provide hands-on experiences that help students explore career pathways. The foundation supports these opportunities through:

• East Montgomery County Fair: The foundation contributed an additional $100 to each qualifying Splendora ISD student auction sale, totaling $7,500 in support for participants.

• Career exploration: The foundation helped connect 20 Splendora ISD students with regional sign manufacturer Baker Signs, where they explored careers involving design, fabrication and sign production.

3. Offering scholarships for diverse pathways

The foundation helps fund or administer six scholarships supporting students with different interests and career goals:

• Ready, Set, Teach Scholarship: For graduating seniors in the Ready, Set, Teach program pursuing careers in education.

• Backhus Memorial Scholarship: For students interested in or excelling in government and/or English.

• Findeisen Scholarship: For students passionate about mathematics or science.

• Cara Muirhead Fine Arts Scholarship:  For students with an appreciation for or involvement in fine arts who are pursuing higher education. 

• Mark Mitchell Memorial Scholarship: Honors a 1980 Splendora graduate by supporting students pursuing their passions, including trade school or career training.

• Paraprofessional Scholarship: For district paraprofessionals pursuing teaching careers.

Applications open Feb. 1 and close April 1. Key said the foundation hopes to increase participation by raising awareness and offering a streamlined online application.

4. Funding classroom grants for educators

Beyond direct student support, the foundation awards grants to Splendora ISD educators for classroom initiatives, educational programs and resources that might otherwise fall outside school budgets.

These grants help teachers introduce learning experiences, enhance instruction and provide additional resources to support student success.

Want to make an impact on a student's education?

The foundation's work depends on local businesses, donors and community members who help create opportunities for Splendora ISD students.

Ways to support the foundation include:

• Make a donation

• Learn about sponsorships

• Speak with students and share career experiences

• Host workplace visits 

• Explore other ways to get involved

To learn more about the Splendora ISD Education Foundation, visit its website.

Frequently asked questions