Alief ISD Winter 2025-26

NEWS

ALIEF ISD

AISD FINE ARTS \\ By Meredith Harrison The Growing Canvas of Student Success and Community Connection THE COMMITMENT TO ARTS EDUCATION ACROSS ALIEF ISD IS CREATING A

Solo-Ensemble contest, where they perform memorized selections for judges. Art That Connects: Community and Corporate Partners The Fine Arts Department uses creativity to enrich the community, integrating student learning with real-world public service and high profile partnerships. Our students have created art for the Harris County Precinct 4 Art On The Move Contest and contributed works to the Southwest Memorial Hospital Neuro Family Room Gallery Wall, bridging art and health with a collaboration that extended to a presentation for our Health Sciences students. Art students also created a lasting tribute to community member Barbara Quattro, with works that will be permanently installed at the Alief Marshall Center for Advanced Careers. Additionally, student artworks across all grade levels were selected for the prestigious Texas Art Associations 2025 TXEDCON Exhibition. Our K–12 Dance programs partnered with the Houston Ballet for an exclusive Studio Series performance, creating a unique cultural exposure experience for our young artists. To ensure the arts are visible throughout the district, our bands and choirs perform monthly at the Pre-Board Meeting Performance Series, and the annual Alief Proud celebration and Holiday Market highlight our performing arts and allow all programs to sell student-made wares. “Our teachers show up every day to unlock a student’s potential, turning talent into skill. The new Academies are the next step in our promise to turn that skill into life-changing opportunities for every Alief student.The future of the arts in Alief is bright.”—Meredith Harrison, Fine Arts Facilitator With the ongoing launch of specialized Performing and Visual Arts Academies and the continued support of our community, Alief ISD is actively investing in the next generation of creative problem-solvers, leaders, and artists who will shape our future. The stage is set for continued excellence.

our new Performing and Visual Arts Academies (PVAA). The department launched the PVAA at Rees Elementary in 2024–2025, providing specialized instruction in Dance, Choir, Visual Arts, and Theatre at the foundational level. This growth continues with two major academy launches for the 2025–2026 school year: Miller Intermediate PVAA will offer a diverse curriculum including Dance, Theatre, Band, Choir, Orchestra, and Visual Arts. Albright Middle School PVAA will solidify the secondary pathway with programs in Dance, Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theatre, and Speech & Debate. By offering these cohesive K–12 arts pathways, we are providing specialized training and making it easier for families with multiple students to choose Alief ISD, directly contributing to our overall enrollment growth. Program Milestones: Celebrating District Excellence Alief ISD students continue to excel at the highest levels, earning recognition that reflects the quality of instruction and dedication cultivated across the district. Our commitment to dramatic arts was celebrated when a high school campus received the Texas Educational Theatre Association’s Award of Distinction for Exemplary Campus. Furthermore, our Speech & Debate students participated in the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament, placing in the Top 5%–25% of schools nationwide in the 2024–2025 season. Music programs are setting records across the district. One Band program achieved a historic success for the district, placing 1st in Area and 4th in State in the Outstanding Performance Series, while another was selected to proudly represent Texas in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida, in January 2026. Choirs are also shining brightly, with a high school choir placing in the Top Five at a recent choral contest. Developing musicians is a core focus: 31 high school Orchestra students earned a place in the All District Orchestra, and Choir students competed in TMEA Region 23 auditions. To build essential performance skills, intermediate and middle school choirs participate annually in the Vocal

MASTERPIECE OF OPPORTUNITY. THE FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT PROUDLY REPORTS A REMARKABLE 7% ENROLLMENT INCREASE FOR THE 2024–2025 SCHOOL YEAR. THIS SURGE IS MORE THAN A STATISTIC—IT IS A POWERFUL ENDORSEMENT FROM OUR FAMILIES, RECOGNIZING THE PROFOUND ROLE THE ARTS PLAY IN DEVELOPING WELL ROUNDED, SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS. “The pride I feel as Director of Fine Arts in the growth of our fine arts programs and the incredible talent of our students is unmatched. We have built real momentum by establishing our culture of excellence that ensures every child receives a world class education enriched by the arts. Our culture is one of commitment, passion, discipline, and purpose. Winners win, and our students are proving that everyday.” -Renferd, Joseph, Alief ISD Fine Arts Director The Creative Core: Skills for Life Arts education is not an elective; it is the creative core of a well-rounded curriculum. Participation in the arts—whether in dance, drama, band, or visual arts—is fundamental because it rigorously teaches the life skills essential for success in academics and beyond. Through the consistent demands of routines, repetition, and deliberate practice, students learn to master complex tasks and develop the crucial ability to multitask effectively. The arts instill the deep value of accountability and collaboration. When a student shows up for rehearsal or a group project, they are learning the power of working with others, fostering transferable qualities that directly translate into higher academic achievement and real-life success. The Expanding Canvas: Pathway to Excellence The 7% enrollment surge reflects a strategic, district-wide focus on building clear, high-quality arts pathways, making Alief ISD the district of choice for families dedicated to the arts. This commitment is most visible in the launch of

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