Innovation Abounds in Alief ISD

Special Programs Allow Students Immense Opportunities

It’s hard to believe we are more than halfway through the school year. Although we are all still dealing with the ramifications of a worldwide pandemic, I am encouraged to see that despite all of the challenges we have encountered, so many tremendous achievements are being made on a daily basis. Whether out in the real world, or in the classroom, innovations are abound.

Our latest innovation in Alief ISD is the emergence of a New Way to Pre-K. Through innovative, interactive classrooms, our youngest learners now have the opportunity to truly experience learning through hands-on, immersive,  purposeful and playful instruction. Our Full-Day Pre-K Program features 12 immersion classroom environments throughout the school year, guaranteed to help children embrace learning. Alief ISD is the only Houston-area school district to offer this innovative learning journey. Be sure to attend the Pre-K Preview event on Saturday, March 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and get a front row seat to the action!

Innovation continues through our very own Aerospace Engineering Program. Hosted at Elsik High School, this program allows students to earn not only drone licenses but also aviation licenses. Yes, that’s correct: Alief ISD has students who can pilot actual airplanes. In fact, through the generous donations from community members, Franklin and Gail Olson, students in our Aerospace Engineering Program are actually building an RV-12iS airplane, and those same students plan on flying the airplane as well.

Lastly, our intermediate and middle school students have experienced the inner workings of a simulated city through our Junior Achievement BizTown Program. Housed at the Alief Center for Advanced Careers, BizTown allows students to assume different business roles, including boss, entrepreneur and financial expert. Students gain skills such as budgeting, personal responsibility, communication, and problem solving among many others.

I’d like to share my utmost appreciation to all of the staff members across the district, community members and our Alief ISD Board of Trustees for their continued support in bringing all of these wonderful innovative opportunities to Alief ISD students.