This week, our diversity will be on full display in our Taste of Alief celebration. We will feature our locally owned businesses to share the flair and flavor of our Alief ISD community. We are excited to support our entrepreneurs and their contributions to keeping Alief thriving. Please come out this weekend and enjoy the international parade, reconnect with an old friend, and celebrate with the community.

Graduation is rapidly approaching and is a momentous occasion to celebrate our graduates and the culmination of their time growing here in Alief ISD. I get more and more excited by the day for our graduating seniors who have persevered through a variety of challenges and will be walking across the stage to receive an Alief ISD diploma. Our Trustees and I look forward to shaking your hand!

With great pride and heartfelt appreciation, Alief ISD celebrates Oghenebrume Oloko of Alief Cummings Elementary School as our 2026 Elementary Teacher of the Year and Mary Jensen of Alief SOAR/LINC as our 2026 Secondary Teacher of the Year!

See you at the Taste of Alief and the upcoming Youth Fest, where our students will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas for a cash prize!!

Alief International Parade

Taste of Alief photos and video

The Young Women’s Leadership School application is still open! This is a college-preparatory opportunity that will provide additional choices for our families. Please watch this video to learn more about:

The Power of the All-Girls School

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!”

The Alief community is gearing up for a vibrant day of culture, connection, and celebration on Saturday, April 25, as Alief ISD hosts two signature events: the Alief International Parade and the Taste of Alief Festival.

The festivities will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the Alief International Parade, starting at Hastings Ninth Grade Center (6750 Cook Rd., Houston, TX 77072). The parade will showcase the rich diversity of the Alief community through colorful floats, traditional attire, music, and performances representing cultures from around the world. Following the parade, the celebration continues at 10:00 a.m. with the Taste of Alief Festival at Crump Stadium (12321 Alief Clodine Rd., Houston, TX 77072). This family-friendly event will feature an exciting lineup of activities and attractions for all ages.

The winners of the parade will be announced at 11:25 a.m. during the Taste of Alief Festival.

Both events are free and open to the public, offering an opportunity for families, students, and community members to come together and experience the unique cultural richness that defines Alief. Don’t miss this exciting day of unity, flavor, and fun in one of Houston’s most diverse communities.

Happy Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week! Let’s honor and applaud the commitment, tireless effort, and positive impact of our after-school staff. Their programs are essential to students’ growth and success!

Celebrating diversity and heritage in Alief ISD! This month, we honor the rich culture and contributions of Arab Americans. Let’s embrace diversity, foster understanding, and promote unity for all.

April is Autism Acceptance Month! Together, we can spread awareness, acceptance, and understanding while celebrating the strengths and contributions of individuals with autism.

Alief ISD Special Education Services are available to support families and can begin when your child turns 3. If you have questions or concerns, we’re here to help. Call (281) 988-3750 or email [email protected].

In this episode of ImpactED, Kodi Bailey, VP of Alief ISD Education Foundation, visits with Nini Gutierrez, Director of Small Business, Carl Brown, VP of Regions Bank, and Phillip Yates, CEO of Equiliberty, to discuss The YEW Youth Fest. The accomplished Alief ISD alumni share their personal journeys, career experiences, and insights with the next generation of students preparing to attend YEW Youth Fest. Through authentic conversation, alumni will reflect on how their time in Alief shaped their paths, the challenges they overcame, and the opportunities they’ve pursued across entrepreneurship, technology, media, and professional careers. The interview will highlight the importance of access, mentorship, and exposure—reinforcing the mission of YEW Youth Fest to close the opportunity gap and expand pathways for students. This conversation not only inspires, but also provides real-world perspective and relatable guidance, helping students see what’s possible and how they can begin building their own future today.

Alief ISD proudly celebrates a memorable evening at our 2026 Teacher of the Year Ceremony, honoring the incredible educators who go above and beyond for our students every day! From inspiring stories to well-deserved recognition, the night reflected the heart of our district: dedication, passion, and excellence in education. We are grateful for all of our nominees, finalists, and winners who continue to make a lasting impact across Alief ISD. Congratulations to all, and thank you for an unforgettable celebration!

Photo album

On April 17 and 18, Albright Middle School and Olle Middle School attended the Texas Junior Speech and Debate Association (TJSDA) Middle School State Tournament in Harlingen, Texas. The following students placed:

Albright Middle School Results:

Ana McBride, Tatum Roberts, and Shihab Khan—State Champions in World Schools Debate

Ana McBride—Fourth Place Speaker Award in World Schools Debate

Tatum Roberts—Fifth Place Speaker Award in World Schools Debate

Bentlee Hyman—Sixth Place Speaker Award in World Schools Debate

Samuel Holiday—Eighth Place Speaker Award in World Schools Debate

Dylan James and Adrian Zuniga—Semifinalists in Duet Improvisation (Top 12 in the State)

Oluwatomisin Dare—Quarterfinalist in Original Spoken Word Poetry (Top 24 in the State)

Dylan James—Quarterfinalist in Poetry Interpretation (Top 24 in the State)

Olle Middle School Results:

Damilola Adeoshun—Semifinalist in Original Spoken Word Poetry (Top 12 in the State)

Riccah Bautista—Semifinalist in Poetry Interpretation (Top 12 in the State)

Riccah Bautista—Semifinalist in Prose Interpretation (Top 12 in the State)

Enjoy the third issue of The Learning Launch, the official newsletter of the Curriculum, Instruction, and School Leadership department. Many thanks to the Curriculum & Instruction department for all their hard work and effort in making this happen.

As Alief ISD continues to expand its Schools of Choice, we are excited to introduce Alief360: A Full-Time Virtual School, Powered by Alief Taylor High School, launching in the 2026–2027 school year with our first class of 9th-grade students. Alief360 offers a flexible, fully online learning experience while keeping students connected to the full high school experience—including strong teacher support, small-group learning, and opportunities for in-person activities, athletics, and fine arts. Designed for today’s learners, Alief360 blends independence with structure to support the success of the whole student.

Families and staff are invited to learn more at one of our upcoming information sessions:

Tuesday, April 21 at 6:00 PM – Taylor High School

Saturday, April 25 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM – Crump Stadium

Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM – Olle Middle School

Virtual Session: Thursday, April 30 at 9:00 AM

Interested in this opportunity? Visit www.aliefisd.net/alief360 to learn more and express interest or leave us a question.

Summer Fest 2026 Registration is NOW OPEN! Give your child a summer filled with creativity, fun, and unforgettable experiences in Alief ISD for free! Spots are limited.

Summer Fest is open to current students 1st–8th

June 3 – June 30 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Register now!

Join us at the Alief Choice Fair on Saturday, May 2, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at Alief Olle Middle School to explore the many opportunities available for your student’s future, from Pre-K and STEM programs to PVAA, Alief360, TYWLS, and High School Career Pathways.

Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is now open for students entering grades PK-12. We are excited to welcome both new and returning students to Alief ISD! Visit our Enrollment page to explore the wide range of academic opportunities available across our district, designed to meet the needs and interests of every learner. https://aliefisd.net/enroll

Why Apply Now?

•Get a head start on the school year

•Ensure timely placement and scheduling

•Access innovative programs and specialized pathways

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/ 

Applications for teaching positions are now available for internal employees of Alief ISD. If interested, apply today!

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.

Enrollment is OPEN at Alief ISD! Applications for both General Enrollment and Schools of Choice for the 2026–2027 academic year are available. Discover cutting-edge programs and identify the ideal match for your child.

Learn more about School of Choice opportunities at: https://choice.aliefisd.net

Begin the enrollment process here: https://aliefisd.net/enroll

Alief ISD Special Education Services can begin when your child turns 3! Have concerns regarding your child’s development? Contact our Early Childhood Assessment Team at (281) 498-8110 ext. 28715.

Join us as we kick off Spring semester in our Alief Family Centers! Free adult workshops and resources. Find a school near you!

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

Southwest Management District – Internship Application

Show your appreciation by nominating your favorite teacher in Alief ISD.

Papa John’s Nomination Form (Bissonnet location)

Nothing Bundt Cakes Nomination Form (Westchase location)

We’re proud to celebrate our Papa Johns Teacher of the Month from Holub Middle School, Victoria Delafuente, whose dedication and passion for teaching truly shine in the classroom! As a special reward, their class earned a FREE pizza party!

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.

Vype Winter 2025 Magazine

Vype Spring 2026 Magazine

Achieve Winter 2025 Magazine

Revista Achieve Invierno 2025

Looking Ahead

April Scholarship Newsletter

April Athletics Calendar

April: Arab American Heritage Month

April: Autism Acceptance Month

April 20-24 Afterschool Professionals Week

April 20-24: Public School Volunteer Week

April 22: Administrative Assistant Day

April 22: Earth Day

April 25: International Parade & Taste of Alief

April 28: School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

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

June 2-5: Alief Band Camp

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