Katy ISD highlighted its continued tradition of academic excellence and innovation at the 2025 “State of the District” event held in the Leonard Merrell Center, 6301 S. Stadium Lane in Katy on October 24. Superintendent Ken Gregorski delivered the annual address before an audience of elected officials, business leaders, educators and community members, centered on this year’s theme — “United in Purpose.”

“This year’s districtwide theme, ‘United in Purpose,’ captures the spirit that has driven Katy ISD’s success, year after year,” Gregorski said. “It speaks to the collective strength of our parents, community members, educators, and staff, all working together toward the same goal: delivering unparalleled learning experiences grounded in academic excellence, innovation, safety, and fiscal responsibility.”

For the fifth consecutive year, Katy ISD is ranked the number one school district in the Houston area and tenth in Texas by Niche. Of the districts ranked above Katy ISD, none serve more than 22,000 students — underscoring the district’s ability to achieve large-scale success while maintaining individualized attention for more than 95,000 learners.

Despite the shifting state accountability landscape, the district’s 2025 STAAR results outperformed state levels for “meets standards” by wide margins — 18 points in math, 17 in reading, 19 in science, and 20 in social studies.

Katy ISD also continues its legacy of financial integrity, earning a Superior “A” rating from the Texas Education Agency for 23 straight years. Gregorski credited this distinction to strong leadership from the Board of Trustees and the district’s culture of transparency and accountability.

Looking ahead, Katy ISD will launch Legacy Virtual High School in Fall 2026 — a forward-thinking virtual campus serving eligible full-time and part-time learners across Texas. Backed by Senate Bill 569, the program positions Katy ISD as a statewide leader in high-quality virtual education while generating additional per-student funding to reinvest in local schools while offering the district’s renowned educational quality to students across Texas.

Gregorski credited the district’s long-range strategic planning process for aligning community vision with student opportunity. Each year, more than 100 parents, educators and community members collaborate on strategic goals centered on supporting the whole child.

One example is the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education (CTE). More than 32,000 students are enrolled in CTE courses across 40 programs, and nearly 45 percent of graduating seniors earn an industry certification before graduation.

Katy ISD’s graduating seniors collectively earned more than $10.1 million in scholarships, while 125 fine arts students and 202 student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education at colleges and universities nationwide. Katy ISD’s diverse fine arts offerings also netted the district a

designation one of the Best Communities for Music Education, highlighting an avenue where students can plug creative musical interests into their educational journey.

The district’s state-accredited Alternative Certification Program continues to grow Katy ISD’s own educators. Last spring, the first cohort of 80 newly certified teachers graduated and joined district campuses this school year.

Katy ISD Police Chief Mark Rider and his team remain focused on proactive safety measures that exceed state standards. Every campus is protected by armed security personnel, including officers and guards at all secondary schools and guards at every elementary campus. Recent safety upgrades include innovative locking devices for classroom doors, enhanced playground fencing and a pilot of a campus badge alert system that allows silent, campus-wide communication even without cell service.

The district’s “SpeakUp” anonymous reporting app received more than 5,000 actionable tips last year, helping prevent potential crises, Gregorski said. Katy ISD’s Mental Health Intervention Team provided direct support in over 150 incidents, ensuring that safety and well-being remain central to the district’s mission.

Gregorski concluded by reaffirming the district’s commitment to responsible, community-driven growth. With more than 100 campuses and facilities, Katy ISD continually assesses long-term facility, safety and technology needs through its bond committee process. As needs, priorities and potential enrollment growth evolve, the district will assess the need for a future bond program, innovative pathways and other initiatives with guidance from the board.