Spring Independent School District’s commitment to early childhood education is paying off, as highlighted in a recent report by Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research. The report underscores the critical benefits of prekindergarten (pre-K) education for young learners in the Houston region, with data from Spring ISD demonstrating that early investment yields significant results in academic readiness, attendance, and language development.

Pre-K Enrollment and Early Elementary Outcomes in Spring ISD, Kinder Institute for Urban Research

Key Findings of the Report

The study, titled Pre-K Enrollment and Early Elementary Outcomes in Spring ISD, highlights:

• Kindergarten Readiness: Students who attended pre-K in Spring ISD were far more likely to be ready for kindergarten. Among English-speaking students, 20% of pre-K attendees deemed ready, compared to only 15.3% of non-attendees. Spanish-speaking students saw similar improvements, 82% of those who attended pre-K were kindergarten-ready, compared to just 37.9% of those who did not. 
• Reduced Chronic Absenteeism: Pre-K attendance was also positively associated with student attendance in early elementary school. Students who attended pre-K were 7.9 percentage points less likely to be chronically absent in kindergarten and 8.3 percentage points less likely in first grade than their peers who did not attend.
• Language Development: Emergent bilingual students who attended pre-K were more likely to achieve higher scores on English proficiency assessments in early elementary school compared to their non-pre-K counterparts.

Spring ISD’s Expanding Commitment to Early Education

Spring ISD is committed to ensuring that every young learner has access to high-quality early education. This year, Spring ISD took its efforts a step further by launching a new Pre-K3 program at three elementary schools: Link Elementary, McNabb Elementary, and Winship Elementary. This program is designed to provide an even earlier start for young learners, setting them on a strong path to academic and social success.

If a child lives within Spring ISD boundaries and turns 3 or 4 years old by September 1, they are eligible to attend one of the district’s Pre-K3 or Pre-K4 programs.

Unlike many programs that limit access based on federal eligibility requirements, Spring ISD offers pre-K to all students within the district regardless of income or other qualifiers—age is the only requirement. This bold initiative reflects the district’s unwavering belief in the value of early learning and its proven impact on student success.

“Providing access to pre-K for all of our youngest learners is a testament to our dedication to supporting families and preparing students for success,” said Dr. Lupita Hinojosa, Spring ISD Superintendent. “We have seen the results firsthand, and we are determined to continue making early education a priority for our district.”

By removing barriers to access, Spring ISD is ensuring that every family has the opportunity to enroll their children in these foundational programs, building a strong start for all students in the community.

A Foundation for Future Success

The Kinder Institute’s findings reflect the district’s belief that investing in the youngest learners is critical to closing achievement gaps and setting students up for long-term success.

“This report reaffirms the importance of what we’re doing,” said Board President Justine Durant. “Investing in our youngest learners sets the foundation for their future success. Expanding access to quality pre-K programs is one of the most important ways we can support our students and their families.”

The district’s early childhood education initiatives not only address academic readiness but also aim to support families, many of whom rely on these programs for affordable, accessible education.

“Investments in early childhood education benefit not only students but also the broader community,” said Dr. Erin Baumgartner, Director of Kinder Institute’s Houston Education Research Consortium. “Spring ISD’s efforts to support their families by providing pre-K demonstrate a deep commitment to the success of their students and families. While this study focuses on early elementary outcomes, decades of research show that students who participate in high-quality early learning programs experience better outcomes throughout their academic trajectories and beyond. Pre-K is about much more than learning ABCs—it’s about equipping students with the foundational learning and emotional skills they need to succeed, not just as students but as future contributors to their communities and society.”

Looking Ahead

As Spring ISD continues to expand and improve its early childhood education programs, the district remains committed to ensuring that every child enters school ready to learn and succeed. By offering free pre-K and piloting innovative programs like pre-K 3, Spring ISD is leading the way in providing equitable opportunities for its diverse student population.

For more details, the full Kinder Institute report is available at kinder.rice.edu/research/prek-outcomes. Families interested in enrolling their children in Spring ISD’s pre-K programs can visit the district’s website for more information.