HOUSTON – After severe storms left widespread damage in the City of Houston Thursday, Houston ISD has announced they are closing all campuses and canceling classes on Friday. Soon after, other districts followed.
“HISD has coordinated with the City of Houston and is closing all campuses Friday, May 17,” an email from the district read.
After this announcement, Cy Fair ISD announced that it will also be closing all of its campuses Friday.
“Due to widespread power outages and potential safety issues in the Cy-Fair community, all CFISD schools and facilities will be CLOSED on Friday, May 17,” an email from the district read.
A short time later, Spring Branch ISD became the third Harris County school district to announce its closure.
“Due to the extreme weather that came through our area, and to ensure everyone’s safety and security, Spring Branch ISD will not hold classes tomorrow, May 17, 2024,” an email from Spring Branch ISD read.
HISD and Cy Fair ISD said that they plan to resume classes normally on Monday, May 20. Spring Branch ISD didn’t clarify whether it would reopen Monday.
Sheldon ISD has also canceled classes on Friday.
“Our community is addressing many power outages and damage due to the severe weather this evening. Due to the number of students, homes and schools without power, Sheldon ISD schools and offices will be closed on Friday, May 17. Buildings and schools will reopen on Monday, May 20. Thank you for your continued support, and please be safe,” the district said.
Crosby ISD has also canceled school on Friday.
“Crosby ISD will be closed Friday, May 17. Several of our campuses are currently without power, and there is no current estimate for restoration of power. Our Operations Team is currently assessing all campuses for any potential damage or other issues related to the intense thunderstorms tonight. Classes will resume Monday, May 20. Please be safe. Thank you,” the district said in an email.
Galena Park ISD has also canceled classes Friday, the district announced on Facebook.
Waller ISD also announced it has canceled classes Friday on Facebook.
Aldine ISD also announced it has cancelled classes Friday.
“To align with the City of Houston request, and out of an abundance of caution for our staff and students due to area power outages and widespread damage, Aldine ISD will be closed tomorrow, 5/16/24,” the district’s statement read.
The Vet Tech Institute of Houston also announced it will be closed Friday.
Klein ISD will also be closing all of its campuses Friday. They will reopen on Monday.
“Due to the severe weather event that recently impacted our area, resulting in widespread power outages and damage, all Klein ISD schools will be CLOSED tomorrow, Friday, May 17, 2024,” a statement from the district said.
Katy ISD will not be closing district-wide; however, they will be closing many of their campuses due to power outages.
They provided a list of the closed schools in an email:
“Due to power outages caused by the weather, the following Katy Independent School District (Katy ISD) campuses will be closed tomorrow, Friday, May 17. Students, staff, and families assigned to these schools or student support facilities should not report to the buildings. Maintenance crews will be on-site to continue assessing and addressing the damage at these locations.
- Bear Creek Elementary
- Cardiff Junior High
- Cimarron Elementary
- Fielder Elementary
- Franz Elementary
- Hayes Elementary
- Hutsell Elementary
- Katy Elementary
- Katy Junior High
- Katy High School
- Nottingham Country Elementary
- McElwain Elementary
- Memorial Parkway Elementary
- Memorial Parkway Junior High
- Raines Academy
- Miller Career & Technology Center
- Opportunity Awareness Center
- Rhoads Elementary
- Taylor High School
- West Memorial Elementary
- West Memorial Junior High
- Winborn Elementary
Youngblood Elementary”
Hempstead ISD will be fully closed on Friday.
“Due to the extreme weather that came through our area, and to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff Hempstead ISD will be closed tomorrow, May 17, 2024. Buildings and schools will reopen on Monday, May 20,” the district said in an email.
Harmony Public Schools says all of its campuses will be closed Friday as well:
“Due to severe weather in the region Thursday night, all Harmony Public Schools campuses in Houston, Cypress, Katy, and Sugar Land will be closed Friday, May 17, 2024. Classes will resume on their normal schedule Monday, May 20, 2024,” the school’s website said.
Conroe ISD says most of their campuses will remain open except for the following due to power outages. All campuses expect to be open on Monday, May 20 as well.
- Patterson Elementary
- Stockton Junior High
- Bozman Intermediate
University of Houston says campuses are still open, but President Renu Khator says students should prioritize safety if they are unable to attend classes.
Houston was hit hard by the storm last night. While UH at all locations is open to provide access to labs, classrooms and offices, please prioritize your safety and use your judgement. Campus has some fallen trees and one roof damage (Tech Bridge building#3). Stay safe.
— Renu Khator (@UHpres) May 17, 2024
Here is a list of other schools as of 6 a.m. that will be closed Friday:
- Spring ISD
- Channelview ISD
- Houston Community College
- San Jacinto College
- Lone Star College:
- Cy-Fair
- Houston North
- Tomball
- North Harris
- University Park
- La Porte ISD
- Idea Public Schools
- Royal ISD
- Tomball ISD
- La Porte ISD
- YES Prep Public Schools
- Kipp Schools
- Cleveland ISD
- Goose Creek ISD
- Arrow Academy - including its campuses: Champions, Harvest Prep, and Liberation Academy
- Magnolia ISD
- Deer Park ISD
- Shepherd ISD