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Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 50 • No. 35 • $1.00 Visit www.FortBendStar.com
Study FBISD accountability rating improves to B for 2024-25 highlights county’s gaps in medical access By Juhi Varma SPECIAL TO THE STAR
By Juhi Varma SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Despite the county’s rapid growth, many Fort Bend residents continue to struggle with basic health needs – particularly mental health services and prenatal care – according to a new study by Rice University’s Kinder Institute and UTHealth Houston. From 1970 to 2024, Fort Bend County has transformed from a small outpost of 50,000 people to one of the most diverse and fastest-growing communities in the nation, now home to nearly one million residents. The county is also becoming wealthier: median household income rose from about $76,000 in 2010 to $105,000 in 2023, and the number of households earning more than $150,000 nearly doubled. But prosperity has not erased inequality. The new community health assessment, based on 3,440 households, shows that poverty is also on the rise – with more than 80,000 residents living at or below the poverty line in 2023, up from 53,000 in 2010. While many residents report good physical health, significant disparities persist across race, income, and education, the assessment shows. The study was led by three researchers: Dr. Stephen Linder of UTHealth Houston’s Institute for Health Policy, Dr. Daniel Potter of the Kinder Institute’s Houston Population Research Center, and Dr. Letosha Gale-Lowe of Fort Bend County Health & Human Services. “The study was designed to capture a true picture of health across Fort Bend’s diverse and growing communities,” said Potter. “By using a scientifically drawn sample, we can be more confident the findings reflect both the resources and the challenges residents face.” “The purpose of this assessment was to collect and analyze data that will further guide and support sustainable public health interventions tailored to Fort Bend County’s diverse and evolving population,” said Gale-Lowe. The survey was available in English and Spanish, and it was conducted between Nov. 21, 2024, and Jan. 29, 2025. Mixed picture of health Most county residents rated their health positively. About 58% described their physical health as “good” or “very good,” and 21% said it was “excellent.” Still, roughly one in 10 adults reported their health as “poor” or “fair.” When asked about days of poor physical health, residents averaged 3.5 in the past month. Education emerged as a strong factor: adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher reported just 2.4 days of poor health, while those with only a high school diploma averaged 4.7. By race,
SEE HEALTH PAGE 4
Fort Bend ISD has earned a “B” in the Texas Education Agency’s latest accountability ratings, up from a “C” the previous year, district leaders announced last week. Fort Bend ISD Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jaretha Jordan presented the 2025 accountability results to the FBISD board during its August 18 meeting, outlining the state and federal measures that shape how campuses are judged. The TEA released the ratings on August 5 after a nearly two-year delay caused by a legal dispute. “It’s my honor tonight to share that we have moved to a B rating,” Jordan said. “We have a lot of positive things to celebrate, but we also have to remain focused on ensuring all of our students achieve at a high level.”
Gains across campuses The district’s higher rating reflects academic progress at campuses across grade levels. Sixty-eight percent of schools earned an A or B. Twenty-four campuses are now rated A and 30 are rated B. Twenty-eight schools improved by at least one letter grade, and overall, the number of campuses rated C, D or F decreased by 12. From the 2023-24 to the 2024-25 school years, the district gained six A-rated schools, from 18 to 24; and gained six Brated schools, from 24 to 30. In the same period, there were three fewer C-rated schools, from 19 to 16; seven fewer D-rated schools, from 14 to seven; and two fewer F-rated schools, from five to three. Performance improved across all grade levels. At the elementary level, 37 out of
SEE IMPROVEMENT PAGE 4
Photo by Juhi Varma
Fort Bend ISD has earned a “B” in the Texas Education Agency’s latest accountability ratings, up from a “C” the previous year, district leaders announced last week.
FORT BEND ISD WELCOMES
STUDENTS TO THREE NEW CAMPUSES
Courtesy Fort Bend ISD
Fort Bend ISD’s new Aldridge Elementary is named for alum Allen Aldridge, Jr., former NFL football player for the Denver Broncos. It was built on the Briargate Elementary property after that campus was demolished.
By Juhi Varma SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Fort Bend ISD welcomed nearly 80,000 students back to school on Tuesday, August 12, for the 2025-26 academic year. Mission Elementary and Aldridge Elementary are new additions to the district, while Ferndell Henry Elementary has been renovated and converted to serve elementary grades. The campuses feature updated technology, collaborative
learning spaces and energy-efficient designs, the district said in an email. All three projects were funded through the 2023 voter-approved bond program. Mission Elementary Mission Bend and Mission Glen are now Mission Elementary. The Mission Bend Elementary building was demolished to make space for the new building, now named Mission Elementary. The Mission Glen Elementary
building is currently not being used. The new school will serve the Mission Glen and Mission Bend neighborhoods. Campus size: 127,200 sq. ft. Address: 16200 Beechnut St, Houston Sub-principal: Sonya Smith Watson Enrollment: 425 students Staff: 60 Mascot: Mission Elementary Astronauts Motto: “Mission Astronauts
L.A.U.N.C.H.- Every Day is a New Chance to Grow.” Aldridge Elementary Blue Ridge-Briar Gate are Allen Aldridge Jr. Elementary. Aldridge Elementary was built on the Briargate Elementary property after that campus was demolished. The Blue Ridge Elementary building is currently not being used. Aldridge Elementary will serve communities
SEE FORT BEND ISD PAGE 2
Lamar CISD opens five new campuses amidst rapid growth By Juhi Varma SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Fast-growing Lamar Consolidated Independent School District now serves more than 49,000 students across 15 municipalities, having grown by 2,000 students since last year. Meeting the needs of this expanding community – from classrooms to transportation – remains a top priority for the district, Sonya Cole-Hamilton, LCISD’s chief communications officer, said. Four years ago, in 2021, enrollment was 36,000 students. “Lamar CISD opened five new campuses for the 2025-2026 school year in response to the district’s continued hypergrowth,” ColeHamilton said.
The district currently has seven color tracks, with each color track anchored by a flagship high school, followed by a junior high, a middle school, and several neighborhood elementary schools. (More information on Lamar CISD’s color tracks can be found at lcisd.org/91727_3.) In LCISD, secondary campuses in the same color track share a mascot, while their associated neighborhood elementary campuses each have their own unique mascots, geared toward the younger students. Tomas High School, Banks Junior High School, Bielstein Middle School, and Fagert Elementary are all part of the new Green
SEE LAMAR PAGE 2
Courtesy Lamar CISD
Gene Thomas High School, one of Lamar CISD’s five new campuses, is named after Gene Tomas, who served the district for 37 years before retiring as principal of Foster High School in 2015.