Katy ISD Addresses Open Enrollment Questions
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KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
August 10, 2026
By Natalie Cook Clark
This year more students will have the opportunity to experience Katy ISD as the District launches its High School Open Enrollment. This opportunity has resulted in questions and concerns within the community and we have some answers.
Katy ISD Open Enrollment is open for students living outside of the District. This gives all students the opportunity to experience the District that is routinely names number 1 in the Houston area.
“For generations, families have chosen Katy ISD because of our commitment to excellence in academics, student support and extracurriculars," says Superintendent Ken Gregorski. "Our High School Limited Open Enrollment offers an opportunity for more students to experience the world-class education, exceptional programs and life-changing opportunities that have made Katy ISD one of the most sought-after school districts in Texas."
This new program has gained some concerns within the community as families continue to move to Katy for the schools. Students accepted through the program will also have access to opportunities such as Advanced Placement coursework, Career and Technical Education programs, dual-credit courses through Houston City College, nationally recognized fine arts programs, athletics, virtual learning opportunities and flexible school-day pathways designed to meet diverse student needs.
The District has responded to questions from our readers in hopes that families can get a better understanding of this program.
Q: Can you tell us the background on this decision? When was it brought up in a public meeting and how was this program determined?
A: Our priority remains the same: providing Katy ISD students with exceptional academics and unparalleled opportunities. At the same time, we must adapt to a changing educational landscape. Enrollment growth has slowed, families have more educational options than ever before, and school districts across Texas continue to face rising operating costs. While the Legislature provided funding for public education last year, it did not increase ongoing funding for this school year, leaving many districts, including Katy ISD, to operate with budget deficits while maintaining the high-quality programs and services our families expect.
These realities require thoughtful, strategic decisions. The Limited High School Open Enrollment program is one of those decisions. The program allows Katy ISD to fill a small number of vacant seats with eligible students from outside the district. Once enrolled, those students become Katy ISD students, and the state funding associated with their attendance helps support the schools, programs, and opportunities that benefit all Katy ISD students.
We've heard concerns from our community, and we want to be clear about what this program is, and what it is not. It is not designed to overcrowd classrooms, increase class sizes, or take opportunities away from current Katy ISD students. Enrollment is intentionally limited and only available at high schools with vacant seats. Simply put: vacant seats do not generate funding. Filling available seats helps strengthen the resources that support our students while preserving the excellence that makes Katy ISD a destination district. Enrollment drives funding. Funding supports programs, and programs support our students.
Program details are available on the Katy ISD the Limited High School Open Enrollment webpage.
Q: What amount would a parent pay to enroll their student in Katy ISD under this program and how was that number determined?
A: Once enrolled, transfer students become official Katy ISD students. There are no associated costs for parents and students approved through Limited High School Open Enrollment. Limited High School Open Enrollment is designed to fill available capacity at Katy ISD’s 10 high school campuses, with each campus able to enroll up to 100 transfer students without causing overcrowding, exceeding classroom capacity, or requiring additional staff. Once enrolled and attending, these students become Katy ISD students and generate state attendance funding. This is new and additional funding that vacant seats would not have otherwise generated.
Q: How will this affect property owners who pay Katy ISD school taxes?
A: In Texas, funding follows the student. We understand that local taxpayers want to know how their school tax dollars are spent. Local property tax revenue stays in Katy ISD to support students who live within our district. Students who enroll through Katy ISD’s Limited High School Open Enrollment program bring additional state funding with them. These dollars generate new revenue for Katy ISD without diverting local tax dollars from in-district students.
Q: How does this program work with athletics, especially considering Legacy Stadium cost millions to build?
A: Students accepted through the Limited High School Open Enrollment program become enrolled Katy ISD students and, like all enrolled students, are eligible to participate in UIL athletics, fine arts and other student programs if they meet all applicable UIL eligibility requirements. Enrollment does not guarantee a position on a team or in a performance group. All students are held to the same eligibility standards and must earn participation through the established selection, tryout, or audition processes.
Q: Many athletic programs require tryouts, meaning some Katy ISD students do not make the team. How is it fair to Katy ISD students who could lose a roster spot to students from outside District boundaries?
A: Enrollment through the Limited High School Open Enrollment program is intentionally capped and only available when space exists. The program is designed to fill vacant seats at high schools with capacity, ensuring that enrollment remains limited and does not exceed a campus's ability to serve students and offer opportunities to all. The District remains committed to providing opportunities for students to develop their talents while ensuring that participation decisions are made fairly and consistently based on processes and program expectations.
Limited High School Open Enrollment does not guarantee access to participation in athletic, fine arts and other competitive student programs. Once enrolled, transfer students become Katy ISD students and must meet the same eligibility requirements, tryout standards, and program expectations as other students. When roster spots are limited, participation decisions are made through the same established selection process for all eligible students. Enrollment through the program is also capped based on available campus capacity to ensure additional students can be served without overcrowding or requiring additional staff.
Q: How is hiring going for teachers to cover the additional classes and workload this program may create?
A: The Limited High School Open Enrollment program is designed to ensure that participating campuses can accommodate transfer students without increasing class sizes or creating overcrowded classrooms. Only high schools with vacant seats in existing classes are eligible to participate, and students are placed only in courses where space already exists.
No additional classes or staffing are anticipated as a result of the program because enrollment is limited to existing classroom capacity. In addition, participation is capped at a maximum of 100 transfer students per participating high school, and many campuses will enroll fewer students based on the number of available seats. This approach allows schools to fill vacant seats while maintaining manageable class sizes and ensuring campuses continue to operate within their existing capacity to serve all students effectively.
Q: Is there any risk this program opens the door for private school or charter school students to participate in Katy ISD sports and fine arts?
A: Limited High School Open Enrollment does not provide extracurricular-only access. Katy ISD Board policy requires students to be enrolled full-time in Katy ISD to participate in District athletics, fine arts, and other student programs. Students residing outside Katy ISD, whether attending a public, private, charter, or home school, must enroll full-time in Katy ISD to participate.
Q: How will this impact students receiving special education services?
A: Individual student services are determined through the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) process and based on each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Q: How can concerned Katy ISD families learn more about the program?
A: Families can visit the Limited High School Open Enrollment webpage to review eligibility requirements, Extended Attendance Zone maps, frequently asked questions and the application process. Additional information is available by contacting the Katy ISD Student Transfer Office.
Eligible public, private, charter or home-schooled students may apply for transfer to a designated Katy ISD high school based on their residence and proximity to participating campuses. Admission is subject to available space at participating campuses.
Families interested in learning more about High School Limited Open Enrollment and application information are encouraged to visit the Katy ISD High School Limited Open Enrollment website.
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