Houston ISD’s number of F-rated schools rose from zero to four in 2026 – even as its number of A- and B-rated campuses continued to grow, state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles said Thursday.

In the three years since its state takeover began, HISD has more than doubled its A- and B-rated schools in the state’s annual accountability ratings, Miles said at a Thursday press conference. While he previewed the district’s performance, the state is expected to release official A-F ratings Friday. 

The four F-rated campuses, meanwhile, were all elementary schools.

It is not clear what rating those schools received in 2025. Despite the increase, Miles said he was undeterred and still expects to have no D- or F-rated campuses next year.

“Our goal is to make sure that we have great educators in front of those kids, that we have good leadership and we have a good system,” Miles said. “I feel confident that those schools are going to turn around quickly.”

Every year, the Texas Education Agency rates public and charter school districts based on STAAR performance and college, career and military readiness. HISD had 120 D- and F-rated campuses in 2023, the year before the state takeover; this year, Miles said the number had fallen to 13.

LEADERSHIP CHANGES:

At least 54 Houston ISD schools changed principals for the 2026-27 school year

Wheatley High School received an A rating this year, seven years after its years of failing ratings ultimately triggered the state takeover, Miles said.

Miles said no schools received multiyear failing ratings, which is one of the key hurdles the district needs to cross to end state intervention. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath is set to make a decision about the district’s takeover in June 2027, whether to extend it or begin the transition to an elected board.

For the first time since the takeover began, HISD saw its performance on the State of Texas Assessments for Academic Readiness

multiple subjects this year, particularly in earlier grade levels.

In fall 2025, Miles said the district would aim to have only A- or B-rated campuses by 2027. On Thursday, Miles said that goal was a “moonshot” but that scores had still largely improved, particularly at secondary campuses.

Board applauds progress

At the monthly board meeting, no state-appointed manager publicly questioned Miles about the district’s overall performance or the rise in F-rated schools. Several praised Miles.

“I want to say I appreciate your passion around closing the achievement gap,” board member Lauren Gore said. “That’s what those achievement gap closures demonstrate, and it’s a very powerful, very powerful concept to say race does not determine ability.”

Appointed board member Marty Goossen estimated that thousands of students now attend A- and B-rated schools that received a C, D or F before the state takeover three years ago.

“The teachers are being held accountable. More importantly, they are providing the opportunity for them to be successful in the future of their lives,” Goossen said. “While it’s hard – and those four Fs that weren’t there last year are kind of an idiosyncrasy of the way the state does the school ratings – we’re going to fight against having any of those.”

Elected trustee Dani Hernandez, who holds no decision-making power under the takeover, said she was concerned that appointed board member weren’t asking questions about the F-rated schools. She said she was glad there are more A- and B-rated schools but that the district cannot ignore that some campuses slid backwards.

“First of all, it’s super concerning that the board of managers is not asking questions, because we know one of the exit criteria is to have good governance,” Hernandez said. “And good governance, according to the state of Texas, means asking questions specifically about how students are doing and how campuses are performing.”

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This article originally published at Houston ISD reports 4 F-rated schools as A and B campuses grow, Miles says.