Students are increasingly transferring out of Klein ISD—and other public schools across the region—to pursue other education options, such as charter and virtual schools, according to Texas Education Agency data.
A closer look
KISD has seen about a 28% increase in the net number of students leaving the district—students transferring out subtracted from students transferring in—to enroll in charter schools, virtual schools or other ISDs since fall 2020, according to TEA data. Compared to the 2014-15 school year, KISD has seen a 122% increase in the net total of students leaving.
Many factors go into district enrollment changes, said Stacey Tepera, president of Population and Survey Analysts, which conducts demographic studies for school districts across Texas including KISD. She said one trend has been consistent at the state and national levels—parents now have more choice when it comes to their child’s education, and they’re taking advantage of it.
Even though KISD has seen a net loss in students, more students are transferring in from other districts—a 26.2% increase from 2020-25.
“Our deep commitment to the success of every student combined with our longstanding tradition of excellence in academics, the arts and athletics is the reason so many parents are choosing KISD for their children,” KISD Superintendent Jenny McGown said via an Aug. 6 email statement.
What else?
Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2 into law in May, allowing eligible families to access public dollars in the form of “education savings accounts” for private school tuition. Starting in time for the 2026-27 school year, families can receive about $10,000 per child to enroll in private schools and parents who homeschool their children can receive up to $2,000 each year.
It’s unclear as of press time exactly how SB 2 will impact public school enrollment in KISD, but more Spring and Klein residents will likely opt to try private education or homeschooling given the financial assistance, according to community leaders.
