The school district's boundaries include Hempstead Road to the northeast (formerly US 290), Interstate 610 to the east, Clay Road to the north, the Addicks Dam to the west, and Buffalo Bayou to the south. Spring Branch serves 35,000 kindergarten through 12th grade students and includes a region with 188,000 residents.
There are currently four traditional high schools (grades 9–12), one of which is 6A, and three 5A high schools, eight middle schools (grades 6–8), and twenty-six elementary schools (grades K-5), and six early education Pre-K centers in the district. Three more high school centers serve students in grades 9–12 with various purposes, including one public charter school.
The school district originated from the Spring Branch School Society, which was sponsored by the St. Peter's Church in 1856. The first school opened in 1889. By 1905, the white school had one teacher with 49 pupils and the black school had one teacher with 29 pupils.[5]
The area did not become urban until the expansion of Houston city limits in the 1950s, which followed a failed attempt by the entire Spring Branch region to incorporate into a single entity, leading to the establishment of the Memorial Villages.
[5] Beginning in the mid-1950s and continuing through the mid-1970s, the school district expanded rapidly. By 1976, the school district had approximately 45,000 students.[6]
As the district moved into the 1980s, the number of students attending SBISD schools dropped precipitously, leaving a number of facilities underutilized. By the 1984–85 school year, the student population had dropped from its mid-1970s peak of over 40,000 to approximately 26,844.[8] That year, the school board voted to consolidate certain schools at the end of school year, closing Spring Branch and Westchester Senior High Schools, along with Westchester and Northbrook Junior High Schools. (Northbrook Junior High School was later re-opened in 1991 as Northbrook Middle School.)
Hal Guthrie became superintendent in 1986 and retired in 2001. During Guthrie's term, an influx of Hispanic and low income students entered the district. By 2001, SBISD established free preschool for students at eligible lower income levels, as well as for students needing ESL or special education services. Melanie Markley of the Houston Chronicle wrote that Guthrie "not only guided the district back to health, but his retirement this year caps the end of a career that many say has earned Spring Branch a reputation as a trailblazer."[9]
In 2009, SBISD began a partnership with Houston Community College Northwest, allowing students to take community college credit. Each student may earn up to 30 credits while enrolled at an SBISD school.[10]
In 2015 two sections of Thornwood, two and three, currently served by the Katy Independent School District, proposed being removed from Katy ISD and placed in Spring Branch ISD, but both KISD and SBISD's boards denied the proposal.[11]
Governance
Spring Branch ISD is led by a Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jennifer Blaine, Ed.D., chosen by the Board of Trustees, headed by President Chris Earnest. The board of trustees is elected by voters living in Spring Branch ISD.
In 2023 the board of education began requiring students to use restroom facilities for the gender they were assigned at birth.[12]
Student body
Tully Stadium, viewed by air
In 2001 SBISD had 32,000 students. SBISD's student body was 48% Hispanic, 39% White, 7% Asian, and 6% African American.[1] By 2002 over half of the district's student body consisted of Hispanic and Latino Americans.[13]
As of 2001, most students north of Interstate 10 are Hispanic and lower to middle income, while most students south of Interstate 10 are White and middle to upper income.[9]
KIPP Courage College Prep @ Landrum Middle School (Houston, Charter)
The school closed effective in 2024.[12] The school used Landrum Middle School as a host campus.
Landrum Middle School, home of the Lions (Formerly known as H.M. Landrum Jr. High School) (Houston, Zoned)
In 1956 the original Landrum campus opened. A groundbreaking ceremony for a new campus occurred on November 12, 2019, as part of a 2017 SBISD infrastructure bond. The new campus opened in June 2021 and held a ribbon cutting ceremony during the 2021–2022 academic school year cycle.[20]
YES Prep @ Northbrook Middle School (Houston, Charter)
The school closed effectively in 2024.[12] The school used Northbrook Middle School as a host campus.
Other Schools
The Guthrie Center (Formerly known as The Spring Branch Career Center) (Houston, Career & Technical Center)
Dr. Hal Guthrie was a key figure in providing the vision and support for Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs throughout SBISD. Dr. Guthrie served as SBISD's Superintendent for sixteen years before his retirement in 2002. Dr. Hal Guthrie's years of service were recognized as the Spring Branch Career Center was renamed The Guthrie Center in 2003.
The current campus was built in 1992. A groundbreaking for its addition will be held on December 11, 2019, and the addition's scheduled opening is August 2021.[20]
In 1954 the current Hunters Creek school opened. The district will open a new school building in August 2021. Its groundbreaking occurred on November 19, 2019.[20]
In 1998 Spring Branch Elementary had a mostly Hispanic student body. During that year the Texas Education Agency ranked the school as "recognized." 55% of the students were exempted from taking the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). 20% took the test, but their scores did not factor into the state's ranking since the students were new to the school district.[26]
Spring Branch High School (Became Cornerstone Academy/Spring Branch School of Choice.)
Westchester Junior High (After closing, the school building was torn down in the 1990s to make way for an office building.)
Westchester Senior High School (Served as a campus of Houston Community College before being reopened as Westchester Academy for International Studies.)
Bendwood Elementary School (Now serves as the Bendwood School for GT students and special ed students)
^Mrozowski, Jennifer. "In surprise move, CPS picks leader." Cincinnati Enquirer. September 7, 2002. A1 News. Retrieved on November 28, 2011. "[...]Spring Branch District where more than half the students are Hispanic."
Cleveland ISD extends into portions of Montgomery and San Jacinto counties, and Tomball ISD extends into portions of Montgomery County. Other districts in those counties are served by Region 6 ESC.
