Welcome back, everyone. I hope that the winter break was fun, filled with lots of food, family, and friends! I personally enjoyed spending time with Belinda and the kids. These precious moments with family come and go swiftly, so I encourage everyone to make the most of them whenever they come around. The new semester and new year provide an opportunity to reboot and strengthen our practice around the “main thing,” and the “main thing” for Alief ISD is student success! We want every student to leave us with the tools to be successful as they prepare for life in college or a career.

We are fortunate to have a team of professionals here that places the success of our students first. Serving as a public educator is a high calling that requires lots of patience and unselfish giving to those we serve. It is your willingness to give of your time, talent, and treasure that allows Alief ISD to thrive, and we are grateful for your commitment to our students and community.

The Young Women’s Leadership School application is now open! This is a college-preparatory opportunity that will provide additional choices for our families. Check out the 20th anniversary celebration of our partner in this endeavor, The Young Women Preparatory Network.

Young Women Preparatory Network 20th Anniversary Video

As we increase the number of choice school opportunities, our families can find more information here about what is happening in Alief ISD.

I continue to be excited about this year! I am excited to “Be all in with Alief ISD!”

This School Board Appreciation Month, we thank the Alief ISD Board of Trustees for their leadership, vision, and tireless commitment to students, families, and staff. Your service makes a difference every day!

In this episode, Kristyn Cathey, Chief of Communications, sits down with Alief ISD alumna Toni Lorene Baker to talk about her journey growing up in Alief ISD and pursuing her passion and career as a music artist. Toni shares how her experiences in Alief shaped her creativity, confidence, and ambition. From early influences to navigating the music industry, this inspiring conversation highlights the power of community, education, and following your dreams.

These amazing employees go above and beyond every day, fostering positivity, strong communication, and caring connections across Alief ISD!

Jessie James – Fine Arts Department

Courtney Caesar – Marshall Center for Advanced Careers

Brenden Hoang – Kerr High School

Stephanie Bennett – Olle Middle School

For more photos, please visit here.

The Alief ISD Board recognized Families Helping Families. Families Helping Families has been a valued business partner for over 7 years! Mr. Collins and his volunteers provided groceries and a full Thanksgiving meal to 200 families from Alief ISD. Thank you, Families Helping Families!

What an unforgettable day for our students and school communities! DICK’S Sporting Goods, in partnership with Houston Texans legend JJ Watt, visited Killough Middle School and Alief Middle School to deliver an incredible surprise. Each campus received a $10,000 gift to support their programs, and 250 students at each school were surprised with gifts and gift cards. Moments like these highlight the power of community partnerships and the lasting impact they have on our students, reminding us that when a community comes together, everyone benefits.

Alief ISD Special Olympics Texas athletes enjoyed a memorable holiday shopping experience with Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins. Each athlete received a $150 gift card to shop for their favorite items, filling the day with smiles, excitement, and holiday cheer. The event highlighted the power of community partnerships and created lasting memories for our students during the holiday season! Read more.

We are proud to announce that Taylor High School NJROTC has made history by qualifying for the Area Regional Championship for the first time in program history.

This achievement reflects the hard work, discipline, and commitment of our cadets, as well as the dedication of our instructors and the continued support from our school administration, parents, and community partners. Qualifying for the Area Regional Championship is a significant milestone and places our cadets among the top-performing NJROTC units in the area.

Our cadets demonstrated exceptional teamwork, professionalism, and perseverance throughout the competitive season. This accomplishment is a testament to their willingness to rise to challenges, uphold NJROTC standards, and represent Taylor High School with pride and excellence.

We are extremely proud of our cadets and look forward to continuing this momentum as we prepare for the Area Regional Championship.

Congratulations to Alexandria Brooks, Elsik HS Class of 2026, on achieving an extraordinary milestone in her basketball career—1,000 career points and 200 career steals. This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to your relentless work ethic, discipline, and unwavering commitment to excellence both on and off the court.

Your dedication, leadership, and competitive spirit continue to elevate your team and inspire your peers, coaches, and the entire Alief community. Each point scored and every steal reflects countless hours of preparation, perseverance, and passion for the game.

The Winter 2025 edition of Achieve, Alief ISD’s official magazine, is here! Enjoy stories that celebrate our students, staff, and community.

Achieve in English 

Achieve en español

Choosing a school for your daughter is one of the most important decisions you will make. At The Young Women’s Leadership School (TYWLS) of Alief ISD, we are building more than a school, we are creating a place where every girl is seen, heard, supported, and challenged to reach her full potential. We can’t wait to welcome you to our campus! Apply today through the Alief ISD district webpage, the TYWLS website, or https://choice.aliefisd.net/the-young-womens-leadership-school/

We believe every student has the potential for greatness, and our diverse choice programs are designed to provide the perfect pathway to future success for learners looking to chart their own course.

Schools of Choice applications open January 7. Families interested in STEM at Horn or Olle, or PVAA at Rees, Miller, and Albright, or Kerr and Alief Early College High School are encouraged to explore program details at: http://choice.aliefisd.net

International Management District – Community Grants

We encourage staff to explore the International Management District’s Community Grants, designed to support innovative projects that enhance learning and community engagement. By diversifying applicants, we aim to ensure teachers have the opportunity to access these valuable funds for new initiatives that directly benefit students.

Click here for more information and application details: International Management District Community Grants Policy and Application form.

Multi-Cultural School Bus Tours

We are hosting our Family U Conference on February 28, 2026, and would love to have you as a volunteer! We are looking for community members and high-school students.

Alief ISD Education Foundation – Pay It Forward Campaign

Dear Alief ISD Team,

The Alief ISD Education Foundation’s Pay It Forward Campaign supports our students and teachers by automatically giving a seamless donation directly from your paycheck.

Click here to complete the Pay It Forward Form

For more information on this campaign, please visit our website or contact [email protected].

Thank you for supporting the mission of the Alief ISD Education Foundation. Together, we can make a lasting difference in our community!

For fundraiser opportunities, contact [email protected].

Do you have a special celebration or achievement you’d love to share? Submit your celebration here and let us highlight the amazing moments that make Alief ISD so special!

Explore the Alief ISD SmugMug photo gallery and relive unforgettable moments from school events, celebrations, and achievements. Browse through vibrant snapshots capturing the spirit, talent, and dedication of our students and staff. Check out the gallery here!

Join the Alief Alumni Influencer Association and Stay Connected! Be a part of something bigger by joining the Alief Alumni Influencer Association—a network of proud graduates making a difference! Whether you want to reconnect with old classmates, mentor current students, share your success story, or give back to the community that shaped you, this is your chance to stay involved. Join today and continue making an impact!

Alief ISD MVP 2025-2026 Awards Nomination Form

Each month, one student, two teachers, and two support staff will be selected as an MVP Award winner by their peers.

These winners are chosen based on evidence of their support of customer service and positive climate and culture in Alief ISD, and they will be celebrated during our next regular board meeting.

We encourage our stakeholders to submit the MVP Award Submission.

Looking Ahead

January Athletic Calendar

January: Mental Wellness Month

January: School Board Appreciation Month

January 9: Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

January 12: National Pharmacist Day

January 13: Korean American Day

January 19: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 24: International Day of Education

February 7: G.A.L.S. & Gowns

February 14: Lunar New Year Celebration at Marshall Center for Advanced Careers

March 28: Inaugural Alief ISD Education Foundation Pickleball Tournament

April 25: International Parade & Taste of Alief

May 28: AECHS & Kerr HS Graduations @ Houston Christian University

May 29: Elsik HS Graduation @ Merrell Center

May 30: Taylor HS & Hastings HS Graduations @ Merrell Center

September 28: 22nd Annual Alief ISD Education Foundation Golf Tournament