Fort Bend ISD continues trend of enrollment losses due to student transfers, losing 9.8% for 2023-24

Charter schools moved thousands of students away from Fort Bend ISD during the 2023-24 school year, Texas Education Agency data shows.

However, FBISD is not alone in this trend; According to an analysis by , charter schools also impacted public school districts in the greater Houston area during the 2022-23 school year Impact on the community.

Data for 27 schools in the Houston area showed FBISD had the third-highest net transfers in 2022-23, trailing Houston ISD at the top and Alief ISD at second.

Using the numbers

Based on the TEA transfer report, 8,500 students have transferred from FBISD so far in the 2023-24 school year.

The number of transfers into the district was 601, representing a net loss of 7,899 from the district — just under 10% of total 2023-24 enrollment, or 80,493, according to the TEA.

The data shows that as of October of the current school year, FBISD has lost the largest number of transfers to two charter school systems – 4,156 out of 8,500 – or about 49% of all transfers from:

• 2,636 students transferred to Harmony Public Schools
• 1,520 students were transferred to KIPP Texas Public Schools

While FBISD also lost 2,218 students to other public school districts, 73.9% of the transfers went to charter schools, according to the data.

Some context

Additionally, the number of students leaving FBISD has increased over the past six school years, according to TEA data.

What you say

FBISD officials said students moving between school districts can be affected by factors such as parental career changes, moves and fluctuations in housing situations, officials said.

“In cases where students are leaving the district to enroll in alternative education systems, we strongly encourage parents to reconsider based on Fort Bend ISD's long-standing reputation for excellence in academics, fine arts, Athletics and college outreach,” Sherry Williams, FBISD director of strategic communications, said in an email.

Despite this transfer trend, FBISD's enrollment is exceeding projections for the 2023-24 school year, Williams said.

FBISD's latest enrollment data shows projected enrollment at 80,568, while actual enrollment is at 80,786, according to the April 8 weekly enrollment report on the district website.

Why it matters

The nearly 10% enrollment loss, while minimized by the district's overall enrollment growth, has a financial impact on the district's budget.

Texas schools will receive $6,160 per student under the state's base allotment, which is based on average daily attendance, as previously reported.

What else?

For more information or to view the TEA's transfer reports, click here.