Photo Credit: CFISDEducation
Finishing A Fantastic 2025-26
The 2025-26 school year is behind us! It seemed to fly by, but I wanted to take some time to recognize the incredible accomplishments that kept CFISD on The Path to Amazing throughout the year.
This week, we began celebrating the Class of 2026 at graduation ceremonies held at the Berry Center. Thousands of students will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas and begin the next chapter of their lives. We are incredibly proud of our graduates and all they have accomplished during their time in CFISD. Congratulations, graduates!
In fine and visual arts, CFISD students and programs continued to earn recognition at the state and national levels. A district-record 51 musicians earned Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State honors this year. Twelve CFISD music ensembles earned 2025 Mark of Excellence and Citation of Excellence honors from The Foundation for Music Education, including national recognition for the Spillane Middle School symphonic winds and the Bridgeland High School varsity treble choir. The Bridgeland, Cypress Woods and Cy-Fair high school marching bands once again advanced to the UIL state marching contest, showcasing the exceptional talent and dedication of our students and directors.
In athletics, CFISD student-athletes excelled across multiple sports throughout the year, advancing deep into postseason competition and representing our district with pride. Teams and individual athletes earned district, regional and state honors in cross country, swimming, track and field, wrestling, golf, basketball and soccer.
- Bridgeland HS swimmer Jackson Hartzler won gold in the 200 IM for the second consecutive year.
- At the state track meet, 23 athletes from eight CFISD schools competed, highlighted by Jersey Village junior Carrie Cresser winning gold in the 400 meters, the school’s first state track gold since 1991; Bridgeland senior Eguonome Akpobassa earning gold in the triple jump; the Bridgeland girls placing third as a team; and Langham Creek wheelchair athlete Ruby Laurenzo setting a personal best in the 100-meter wheelchair dash.
- Numerous seniors signed collegiate athletic scholarships, continuing their academic and athletic careers at universities across the country. Our coaches, athletic trainers and support staff continue to provide outstanding leadership and mentorship for our student-athletes.
In career and technical education, more than 40,000 students participated in CTE courses across over 130 programs of study. Students earned more than 15,000 industry certifications this year, helping prepare them for college, military service and high-demand careers. The annual CFISD Livestock Show & Sale once again generated more than $625,000 for student projects. Students in robotics, audio/video production, culinary arts, cosmetology, engineering and health science programs earned awards and recognition throughout regional, state and national competitions. More than 2,600 students participated in robotics programs districtwide, with several teams advancing to VEX Robotics championship competitions. Cypress Woods also won the Crime Stoppers of Houston School PSA Video Contest.
In academics, 18 CFISD seniors were named National Merit semifinalists, and hundreds of additional students earned recognition through the College Board National Recognition Programs. Students across the district continued to achieve success in advanced academics, STEM competitions and leadership organizations. Five members of the Class of 2026 received appointments to United States service academies, reflecting their exceptional leadership and commitment to service.
We continued expanding opportunities through our College Academy partnership with Lone Star College-CyFair, with 918 graduates earning their associate’s degrees along with their high school diplomas. This year, the Superintendent’s Fun Run raised $95,000 for the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation, and 61 new Adopt-a-School partnerships were formed to strengthen support for students and campuses across the district. We also proudly celebrate Chief Financial Officer Karen Smith, who was recognized with the prestigious TASBO Legacy Award for her outstanding leadership and service to public education. In addition to serving as CFO for the third-largest school district in Texas, Karen became Texas’ first ASBO International board officer in more than three decades.
Our success would not be possible without the support of our families, staff, volunteers, business partners and community members. Thank you for your continued investment in CFISD and for helping create opportunities that benefit every student across our district.
I hope everyone enjoys a safe and restful summer. I look forward to all we will accomplish together in the 2026-27 school year.
In the best interest of children,
Doug Killian, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
