(TNS) — The Houston Independent School District (HISD) has appointed Chandra Reed, principal of Betsy Ross Elementary School, to lead a new artificial intelligence-focused school set to open next year. The announcement was made on Thursday, following the district’s decision to close Ross, a STEM magnet campus, along with 11 other schools due to declining enrollment and aging facilities.
State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles indicated that HISD initially planned to close two additional schools—Gregg and Clemente Martinez elementary schools—but opted instead to transform them into institutions dedicated to artificial intelligence education. Both schools are of similar size, with 251 students at Gregg and 244 at Clemente Martinez.
Under HISD’s closure plan, students from Ross will have the option to transition to either Roosevelt Elementary School or the new AI-focused program at Clemente Martinez. Reed’s leadership role at the new campus follows her tenure at Ross, where she has served since August 2023. The future of Christina Aguirre-Oliva, the current principal at C. Martinez, remains uncertain as HISD has not provided clarification on her role for the upcoming school year.
In a statement earlier this year, HISD committed to retaining administrators who hold contracts and meet performance standards. Those who are not reassigned to schools gaining students from closures will be placed in available positions throughout the district.
The “Future 2 Schools” initiative aims to convert Gregg and Clemente Martinez into educational environments that serve students from kindergarten through eighth grade, emphasizing skills critical for the age of artificial intelligence. The curriculum is designed to promote “critical thinking, problem-solving, and the use of artificial intelligence,” according to HISD.
The concept of Future 2 Schools was introduced by Miles during a teachers’ convocation last August. HISD is requesting families of Clemente Martinez students to submit a form by Friday to secure their child’s enrollment in the new model, though it remains unclear what will happen to families who do not submit the “HISD Future 2 Commitment” form. HISD has not responded to requests for comment on this matter.
Families who sign the commitment form agree to support the Future Ready program, ensure daily student attendance, foster positive behavior, and maintain communication with teachers to enhance student success. The instructional model for Future 2 Schools will begin for grades three and four, utilizing developmentally appropriate materials as per HISD’s guidelines.
For younger students in grades K-2, the district emphasized a foundational academic experience tailored to enhance early literacy and numeracy skills. Students in fifth and sixth grades will take semester-long courses covering AI tools, design-thinking, cultural studies, and mechanics. Additionally, advancing to sixth grade will require students to learn a musical instrument, with opportunities for extracurricular activities such as music, sports, community service, and swimming available to foster a well-rounded educational experience.
The Houston Chronicle has requested the Future 2 School “concept paper” referenced by Miles in previous meetings, but has yet to receive it. As HISD embarks on this initiative, the impact of these changes on educational outcomes and student engagement within the district will be closely monitored.
