HOUSTON, Texas – Students and teachers across Houston Independent School District (HISD) are kicking off the new school year under the New Education System (NES), led by a state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles.
With 45 additional schools joining this year, nearly half of the district now operates under NES, signaling significant changes across the district.
Entering its second year under NES, Fleming Middle School set the tone for the academic year with a vibrant and energetic welcome for returning students.
“We are just excited for all of the students and parents,” said a community volunteer at the welcome event. “It’s so important to let these young people know that they have support, and we are cheering for them for the school year and in life.”
The first day back was particularly special for many families experiencing middle school for the first time.
“It’s my baby’s first year in middle school,” shared one parent with a mix of pride and nostalgia. “I’m a little sad, but I’m happy he is growing up.”
When asked about their familiarity and expectations regarding NES, parents expressed optimism based on previous experiences.
“I experienced it at Dogan Elementary, which is where he’s coming from,” another parent explained. “I knew about it, and it’s okay. It’s not that bad.”
With the district starting the school year with fewer teachers, we spoke with Principal Deven Adams about the potential impact on his campus. Unlike several other schools, Adams explained that while Fleming did experience a decline in enrollment and consequently lost some teachers, only minor adjustments to his staff were necessary.
“We were projected to receive about 100 sixth graders and ended up with 120,” Adams noted. “Overall, we’re about 20 students under where we were last year, but that’s primarily because we had a very large group of eight graders graduate.”
Addressing concerns about teacher retention amid district-wide losses, Adams emphasized stability within Fleming Middle School.
“HISD did see a reduction of about 748 teachers due to various reasons, including non-renewals and reallocations,” he explained. “However, at our campus, we’ve only had to fill three teaching positions, which speaks to our supportive environment and commitment to excellence.”
Focused on the new school year, Adams said he has ambitious goals to elevate the school’s academic standing.
“Our internal calculations project us to be a B-rated campus this year,” Adams shared. “We medaled with silver, but I want to go for gold. I want that A, and this serves as a physical reminder to all our staff that we have work to do, and we’re in it together.”
Teachers like Ms. Januel Plumber are equally dedicated to achieving these goals, reflecting on the progress made since last year.
“I’m putting a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into this,” Ms. Plumber expressed. “I really do want us to be an A or as close to an A as possible. Last year, a lot of people were scared and anxious, ready to quit before we started because we didn’t know what to expect. We quickly learned that wasn’t the case, and now we’re more focused and determined than ever.”
Acknowledging the road ahead, Principal Adams highlighted the importance of sustaining effort and enthusiasm throughout the year.
“The biggest challenge is going to be keeping the momentum and not becoming complacent,” he stated. “But with the dedication I see from our staff and the support from our community, I’m confident we can overcome any hurdles and achieve our goals.”