Spring ISD families are seeing new signs of academic momentum at the high school level, with 2026 STAAR End-of-Course results showing some of the strongest year-over-year gains among Houston-area school districts.

The results come as the Spring Independent School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a contract extension for Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar through 2031 during a special-called meeting Tuesday, June 23. The board’s action follows a year marked by academic growth, organizational changes and a continued focus on accountability, student achievement and service across the district.

For parents, students and community members, the two announcements connect around one central question: Is Spring ISD moving in the right direction? District leaders say the latest data offers an encouraging answer, while also acknowledging that improvement work is far from finished.

Spring ISD Posts Strong Growth on 2026 STAAR End-of-Course Exams

According to data released by the Texas Education Agency, analyzed by education nonprofit Good Reason Houston and reported by the Houston Chronicle, Spring ISD achieved a combined 37-point increase in students performing at the Meets Grade Level and Masters Grade Level standards across high school STAAR End-of-Course exams.

The district reported gains across all five tested subjects:

Algebra I: 74% of students achieved Approaches Grade Level, a 16-point increase from 2025. Forty percent reached Meets or Masters Grade Level, up 15 points.

English I: 60% achieved Approaches Grade Level, an 11-point increase. Forty percent achieved Meets or Masters Grade Level, up six points.

English II: 61% achieved Approaches Grade Level, up six points. Forty-five percent achieved Meets or Masters Grade Level, a nine-point increase.

Biology: 89% achieved Approaches Grade Level, up four points. Fifty-six percent reached Meets or Masters Grade Level, a 25-point increase from the previous year.

U.S. History: 89% achieved Approaches Grade Level, the same as last year, while 56% achieved Meets or Masters Grade Level, up five points.

District officials said the growth was especially visible at the high school level, where students made gains in subjects tied closely to graduation requirements and college, career and military readiness.

Dekaney, Westfield and Spring High Schools See Notable Progress

Spring ISD said all high schools showed increases, with particularly strong growth at Dekaney High School, Westfield High School and Spring High School.

The district pointed to targeted interventions throughout the school year, including data-driven instruction, expanded academic supports, focused tutoring opportunities and regular monitoring of student progress.

“The progress we are seeing at Dekaney High School is a testament to the dedication of its students, teachers, campus leadership, and families,” said Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar. “Their hard work is translating into improved outcomes and creating new opportunities for students. Dekaney’s growth demonstrates what is possible when an entire school community is united around student success.”

Good Reason Houston also identified Spring ISD as one of the Houston-area districts leading year-over-year improvement in student achievement, pointing to the district’s growth in mathematics and reading as evidence that focused strategies can accelerate learning outcomes.

“Spring ISD’s growth this year stands out across the Houston region,” said Thomas Pich, Director of District Partnerships at Good Reason Houston. “Districts that build a culture of accountability at every level, from the classroom to central office, create the conditions for gains like these. Spring ISD is demonstrating what that looks like in practice.”

Board Extends Cuellar’s Contract Through 2031

The Spring ISD Board of Trustees’ unanimous vote extends Cuellar’s contract through 2031, less than a year after he became Superintendent of Schools on Sept. 9, 2025.

Before becoming superintendent, Cuellar served three years as Spring ISD’s Chief of Academics and School Leadership, a role district leaders say gave him a close understanding of the district’s campuses, challenges and opportunities.

“Over the past year, we’ve seen meaningful progress across our district, from academic growth to stronger systems and enhanced support for students and staff under Dr. Cuellar’s leadership,” Spring ISD Board President Justine Durant said. “He stepped into a challenging situation, assembled a strong senior leadership team, and helped move the district in the right direction. We’re already seeing encouraging signs of progress, including preliminary accountability results showing districtwide growth, especially at the high school level.”

Trustee Liz Jensen also praised Cuellar’s first year as superintendent.

“I am incredibly impressed with Dr. Cuellar’s performance during his first year as superintendent,” Jensen said. “When we met one-on-one, I described him as a firefighter superintendent, and he has delivered more than I expected.”

A Broader Push Around Accountability and Student Success

Since becoming superintendent, Cuellar has led efforts to strengthen instructional systems, improve organizational alignment and build a culture centered on accountability and results. District leaders describe the work as part of “the new Spring ISD,” with a focus on accountability, customer service, operational excellence and student achievement.

Spring ISD has also continued expanding opportunities for students through schools of choice, career and technical education pathways, college readiness initiatives and innovative programs designed to prepare students for life after graduation.

“This work has never been about one person,” Cuellar said. “It belongs to our teachers, principals, support staff, students, families, and Board of Trustees. Together, we have established a clear vision, raised expectations, and focused on what matters most — student success. While we are proud of the progress we’ve made, we know there is still important work ahead, and I am honored to continue serving alongside this community as we build on our momentum.”

Cuellar has emphasized throughout his career that every child deserves access to a high-quality education and that lasting improvement happens when an organization is united by shared purpose. That approach aligns with Spring ISD’s guiding principle: “Together in Culture. Together in Accountability.”

Why This Matters for Spring ISD Families

For local families, the 2026 Spring ISD STAAR results are more than numbers. They point to progress in high school subjects that affect graduation, course placement, academic confidence and readiness for college, careers or military service.

At the same time, district leaders are framing the gains as a milestone, not a finish line.

“These results belong to our community: our students, teachers, administrators, support staff, and families,” Cuellar said. “Every gain represents countless hours of hard work, a commitment to excellence, and a shared belief that every child can succeed. Our students rose to the challenge, our educators remained focused on what matters most, and our families stood beside us as partners in learning. We are proud of this progress, and even more encouraged by the momentum we are building for the future.”

Cuellar also noted that the district must continue building on the results.

“This progress did not happen by chance,” Cuellar said. “It is the result of students working hard, teachers going above and beyond, and campus leaders creating cultures focused on achievement and opportunity. While we know there is a lot more work ahead, these results demonstrate that our efforts are making a difference for students.”

What Happens Next for Spring ISD

The 2026 STAAR End-of-Course results are expected to help guide Spring ISD’s academic planning for the 2026-27 school year, including decisions around instruction, tutoring, campus supports and student progress monitoring.

District leaders say the goal is not only to improve test scores, but to ensure more students graduate prepared for college, career, military service and life.

“We are celebrating progress because our students and staff have earned it,” Cuellar said. “At the same time, we know our mission is bigger than test scores. Our goal is to ensure every student graduates prepared for college, career, military service, and life. These results show we are moving in the right direction, and we will continue building on this momentum. But I want to make it clear that we still have a lot of work to do.”

For Spring ISD parents, teachers, students and taxpayers, the coming school year will show how the district builds on this year’s gains and whether the early momentum continues across campuses.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for continued coverage of Spring ISD, local education updates and community news affecting families across the area.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.