Katy ISD can now accept up to 1,000 students from outside the district under a new High School Limited Open Enrollment program that launched for the 2026-27 school year.

Each of the district's 10 high schools may enroll up to 100 transfer students, according to KPRC reporting from Aug. 11. Eligible students live within a 75-mile radius of the Katy Freeway and Highway 99 intersection, a zone stretching as far as Bryan-College Station to the north and Galveston to the south.

At least one transfer student is already settling in. Walker West, a junior at Katy High School, transferred from Waller ISD and told the Katy High Paw Print he made the move over safety and quality concerns.

"Finally, I wanted to transfer because Waller was not really the best place to get a good education," West said in the Sept. 14 article. "There were constant fights and the teachers and environment were not good."

West said interactions with staff and students at Katy High have been better. Waller ISD's response to West's characterization does not appear in public records as of publication.

The district is also attracting new teachers from outside education. Adamek, a former medical professional whose children attend Katy ISD schools, joined the Katy High School teaching staff for the 2026-27 school year. She told the Paw Print she wanted to change careers and be available for her family.

Deputy Superintendent Leslie Haack told KPRC on Aug. 11 that the initiative is one of several efforts to counter stagnant enrollment across Texas. Haack said the district views other public school districts as partners, not competitors.

Students accepted through the program gain access to Advanced Placement courses, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, dual-credit courses through Houston City College, fine arts, athletics and virtual learning, according to the district's June 25 announcement. Applicants are assigned to a designated campus based on their Extended Attendance Zone, not by personal preference. Families must provide their own transportation, and UIL transfer rules still apply.

Open enrollment is one of six priorities Superintendent Ken Gregorski outlined for the 2026-27 school year, alongside school safety enhancements, an AI framework for instruction, expanded career pathways, virtual learning expansion and employee compensation investment. The district also launched Legacy Virtual High School, a statewide online campus, for the 2026-27 school year, Katy Magazine reported.

Katy ISD welcomed more than 95,000 students back to campuses on Aug. 12. The district has not released how many transfer students have enrolled through the program so far. Families can find application details through the Katy ISD Student Transfer Office.