To balance enrollment, support student needs and programs, and use district resources responsibly as enrollment patterns and academic needs change.

The boundary planning follows district policy (Policy FC(Local).  This policy puts students first and includes decision principles such as community integrity, safe walking distances*, equal access to programs, and with the least disruption as possible. 

*where feasible and practical

FBISD works with outside experts who help study enrollment trends and boundaries. These experts use trusted methods and local information to guide the process. Their work is informed by best practices and is shared with district leadership, the School Boundary Advisory Committee (SBAC), and the Board to support transparency and informed decision-making.

There are many parts to consider with boundary planning: enrollment estimates, the condition of buildings, transportation, academic programs, financial impact, and community feedback.  It's a multi-layered process that requires careful analysis and collaboration.

It begins with a demography study and boundary planner assessment.  Scenarios are reviewed by district administration and a multi-departmental core team.  Then, the School Boundary Advisory Committee (SBAC) provides feedback and asks clarifying questions.  Community input is gathered before final recommendations are presented to the Board for approval.

The SBAC is a group of community members representing each feeder pattern who advise the district from an approach that puts the students first and operates through a District-wide lens.  Members were selected through the Central Application Process.  They review data, ask questions, and provide feedback to ensure recommendations reflect community values and student needs.

Community members are encouraged to attend community information meetings, participate in surveys, and visit fortbendisd.com/attendanceboundaries for updates and opportunities to participate.

Due to the continued enrollment growth in FBISD, school boundaries are implemented to alleviate overcrowding at existing schools to ensure the effective and equitable delivery of student-centered academic programs and curriculum.

A feeder pattern is where elementary and middle schools feed into a particular high school to ensure smooth transitions as they move from one level to the next. 

Per Policy FC(Local), students affected by a previous boundary change while attending the same level (elementary, middle, high) are eligible for an intra-district transfer, but shall not be eligible for District-provided transportation.  

Cap and overflow occurs when a campus is highly utilized and needs relief prior to an attendance boundary adjustment. During cap and overflow new students are directed to attend a nearby school or schools that have available space. 

Special Circumstance Transfers are based on specific criteria and transportation is not provided.  Please see the Student Affairs webpage for further information.   

Transportation provides a Bus Route Locator to provide a specific attendance zone and bus route information for each home address. 

Should you have any questions, email Transport.Support@fortbendisd.gov 

The 2024 Demographic Study is conducted by Population and Survey Analysts and can be found here. 

Planning units are geographical areas of residential developments based upon evenly distributed student population densities. Planning unit boundaries follow major roadways, natural features (creeks, etc.) and/or neighborhood boundaries.  Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) projection data is modeled by Planning Unit and then aggregated to form school-level enrollment projections and future school catchment areas that allow PASA to better create options for long-range facility planning.

PASA has developed a model that incorporates numerous factors and the impact of those factors on projections.  For example, new housing is included in projections based on when homes are expected to be built, sold, and occupied, with adjustments for potential delays due to economic conditions, labor shortages, or changes in developer plans.  The number of students projected to occupy those new homes is based on student yield rates, which are derived by looking at comparable ratios in other comparable neighborhoods.  On the other hand, alternative educational opportunities (charters, private, etc.) are factored into projections based on past enrollment shifts and anticipated new options in the district.  PASA incorporates each factor differently based on years of research and the best information available collected at the time of the study.

The Enrollment Forecast reflects the most likely scenario based on the best available information at the time of the study.  PASA Demographic Studies rely on assumptions about the district’s housing market and economic conditions, analyzing how these factors influence student enrollment trends. Additionally, the forecast also considers variables such as the availability of alternative educational opportunities, birth trends, kindergarten enrollment patterns, and cohort size as students move through the grade levels, to name a few.  Because these factors are constantly evolving, PASA approaches each study with a fresh perspective – ensuring that projections are based on current data rather than influenced by past forecasts.

The price point of new housing plays a significant role in determining the grade levels most impacted by enrollment growth.  In general, new single-family housing leads to an immediate increase in student enrollment across all grade levels.  Lower-priced homes tend to attract younger families, resulting in a higher concentration of elementary-age children.  However, exceptions exist – particularly in highly desirable high school attendance zones, where new housing developments can drive a surge in secondary-grade enrollment.  Ultimately, the cost of housing influences both the age of incoming students and the overall distribution of enrollment growth across grade levels.

Neighborhood subdivisions are defined areas with divided plots of land that make up a community of homes.  Master-Planned communities are larger-scale, mixed-use residential developments.  These developments provide residents with amenities such as parks, playgrounds, tennis courts, commercial enterprises like stores and restaurants, office space, and multi-family residences.  Several neighborhood subdivisions are included within a master-planned community.  As stated in policy FC(Local), master-planned communities are not considered neighborhoods.