Demographer: Katy ISD has largest student enrollment gain compared to area school districts

Contributed Reports
Posted 11/17/22

Katy ISD continues to top the list of 15 Greater Houston-area school districts in student population growth, with 12, 940 new students since 2016, according to a presentation at the Nov. 14 trustees meeting.

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Demographer: Katy ISD has largest student enrollment gain compared to area school districts

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Katy ISD continues to top the list of 15 Greater Houston-area school districts in student population growth, with 12, 940 new students since 2016, according to a presentation at the Nov. 14 trustees meeting.

The rate represents a 14.6% change in enrollment over the past five years, according to the presentation.

“Over the next 10 years, PASA projects 27,681 single-family units for Katy ISD, which is approximately 60 percent of new housing projections for the district,” Kris Pool, a Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) demographer, said. “These occupancies are predominately in the northwest quadrant of the district where master-planned communities are projected for development through 2023.”

Additionally, over 17,000 multi-family occupancies are projected through 2032. To address the rapid growth taking place in the northwest quadrant of Katy ISD, demographers recommend additional elementary, junior high, and high schools in that area of the district.

Katy ISD has worked closely with PASA for several years to determine current and future student enrollment projections. Growth estimates have aided Katy ISD when addressing overcapacity and campus enrollment.

Currently, Katy ISD has more than 92,500 students enrolled and is expected to serve 107,357 by 2032.

The 103,357 figure was part of a chart that trustees reviewed, describing three projected scenarios for student enrollment growth. The low number on the range is 102,365 students and the high figure is 113,399 students.

District appoints Hutsell, Shafer Elementary School principals

Katy school trustees named Shauntá Smith as Hutsell Elementary principal and Kristi Gonzales as Shafer Elementary principal at their Nov. 14 meeting.

Smith is taking the reins at Hutsell Elementary after Margie Blount’s retirement. Smith has 20 years of educational experience and began her career as an elementary teacher in 2002 at Betsy Ross Elementary in Houston Independent School District. While at HISD, Smith was also a summer school coordinator, literacy coach and a vanguard magnet coordinator.

Smith joined Katy ISD in August 2013 when she accepted a position as an English language arts and social studies instructional coach at Mayde Creek Elementary School. Since then, she has served in several leadership roles which include assistant principal at Franz, Hutsell, Randolph and Stephens elementary schools as well as principal for the Katy Summer Academic Term (KSAT) Initiative at Mayde Creek Junior High. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in educational administration from Prairie View A&M University.

“Through many different roles, I have wholeheartedly directed my energy towards the goal of launching children into a world of endless possibilities,” Smith said. “I also look forward to contributing expertise in instructional leadership to the Hutsell family and to this excellent school district that has successfully prepared children to live honorable and fulfilling lives.”

Gonzales has 18 years of experience in public education. She began her career in 2004 as a teacher at Copeland Elementary in Cypress Fairbanks ISD. She joined Katy ISD in 2008 as a teacher at Morton Ranch Elementary. Four years later, she transitioned into an English Language Arts (ELA) Instructional Coach position on that campus.

Gonzales became an assistant principal at Alexander Elementary in 2014, followed by her most recent position as assistant principal at Davidson Elementary. She also collaborated as the Katy Summer Academic Term (KSAT) principal at McElwain Elementary. Gonzales holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from Texas State University and a master’s degree in education administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

“Shafer Elementary is a school built on the foundation of the virtues held by the namesakes Fred and Patti Shafer,” Gonzales said. “Their belief that all students deserve an inclusive, accepting school environment is evident in the high achievement of all students at Shafer. It is an honor and privilege to join the Shafer Silver Knights family.”

Katy ISD, Katy ISD Board of Trustees, Hutsell Elementary Shafer Elementary