Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) continues to set the standard for excellence in visual arts, earning recognition as a Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) District of Distinction for the sixth consecutive year. SBISD is one of only 109 school districts in Texas to receive the prestigious honor for the 2025-2026 school year. More than 1,200 eligible districts were invited to apply. #SBISDPossible
Welcome, Principal Mark Smith! Spring Oaks Middle School is proud to welcome Mark Smith as its new principal.
After a distinguished 37-year career in education, Principal Smith realized retirement wasn't the end of his journey. Following successful leadership at Northbrook High School and Spring Woods Middle School as interim principal, he is excited to continue serving the Spring Branch ISD community at Spring Oaks.
Principal Smith believes great schools are built on Excellence and Belonging.
As a leader, he describes himself with one word: Empowering.
He believes the best leaders help others discover their strengths, build confidence and succeed together.
This school year, Principal Smith is focused on:
Building strong relationships with students, staff and families
Creating a culture where excellence thrives
Ensuring every student feels they belong
Supporting teachers so they can make an even greater impact
Making Spring Oaks a place where students are excited to learn every day
🔗 Read more about Principal Smith here
We are excited to welcome Principal Smith to Spring Oaks Middle School and look forward to an outstanding school year together!
Welcome, Principal Rachel Odom! Meadow Wood Elementary is proud to welcome Rachel Odom as its new principal.
For Principal Odom, this role is more than a career milestone. As a former Meadow Wood student, teacher, parent and volunteer, she is honored to return to the campus that helped shape her and continue serving the school community she proudly calls home.
Principal Odom believes great schools are built on Clarity and Collaboration.
Her leadership is rooted in strong relationships, teamwork and creating opportunities for every student to succeed.
This school year, Principal Odom is focused on:
Building a culture of connection and belonging
Supporting students, staff and families
Creating engaging learning experiences
Strengthening collaboration across the school community
Helping Every Child grow and succeed
🔗 Read more about Principal Odom here
We are excited to welcome Principal Odom to Meadow Wood Elementary and look forward to the next chapter of this incredible school community!
Welcome, Director Bruce Hill! Westchester Academy for International Studies is proud to welcome Bruce Hill as its new director.
Director Hill believes the most meaningful moments in education happen when students know someone believes in them. He is excited to join a campus known for its academic excellence, global learning and commitment to developing student leaders.
Director Hill believes great schools are built on Strong Relationships and High Expectations.
His leadership is focused on creating learning experiences where every student feels supported, challenged and empowered to discover their potential.
This school year, Director Hill is focused on:
Building strong relationships with students, families and staff
Supporting academic excellence and global learning
Preparing students for college, careers and lives of purpose
Creating opportunities for every student to grow and lead
Building on the outstanding tradition of Westchester Academy
🔗 Read more about Director Hill here
We are excited to welcome Director Hill to Westchester Academy for International Studies and look forward to an incredible year ahead!
Welcome, Principal Sonya Clark! Spring Woods Middle School is proud to welcome Sonya Clark as its new principal.
Principal Clark's passion for education began in kindergarten, when her teacher encouraged her to help classmates who needed extra support. That experience inspired a lifelong commitment to serving students and has shaped her 26-year career in education.
Principal Clark believes great schools are built on High Expectations paired with Support.
She believes effective leadership means meeting people where they are, listening with intention and working together to help every student succeed.
This school year, Principal Clark is focused on:
Creating a physically and emotionally safe school environment
Building strong relationships with students, staff and families
Supporting teachers so they can help students achieve at high levels
Strengthening partnerships with families and the community
Empowering every student to reach their full potential'
🔗 Read more about Principal Clark here
We are excited to welcome Principal Clark to Spring Woods Middle School and look forward to the incredible year ahead!
Welcome, Principal Mandy Ruiz! Spring Branch Elementary is proud to welcome Mandy Ruiz as its new principal.
Inspired by her great-grandmother, who taught in a one-room schoolhouse, Principal Ruiz has dedicated more than 20 years to helping students, educators and families grow together. She is honored to continue the proud tradition of Spring Branch Elementary, the district's very first school.
Principal Ruiz believes great schools are built on Collective Greatness.
Her leadership is rooted in collaboration, ensuring every voice is valued and every member of the school community has the opportunity to succeed.
This school year, Principal Ruiz is focused on:
Building on Spring Branch Elementary's legacy of excellence
Strengthening partnerships with students, families and staff
Creating a collaborative school community
Ensuring every student feels connected and challenged
Inspiring students to take pride in their school and their learning
🔗 Read more about Principal Ruiz here
We are excited to welcome Principal Ruiz to Spring Branch Elementary and look forward to the future of this incredible school community!
Welcome, Principal Paul Wallace! Sherwood Elementary is proud to welcome Paul Wallace as its new principal.
Principal Wallace brings 19 years of experience in education and is excited to become part of the Sherwood community. He believes the strongest schools are built through meaningful relationships and looks forward to getting to know every student, staff member and family.
Principal Wallace believes great schools are built on Engagement and Community.
As a leader, he describes himself with one word: Relational.
He believes leadership is about building trust, strengthening relationships and creating a school community where everyone feels connected.
This school year, Principal Wallace is focused on:
Building on Sherwood's strong legacy
Getting to know students, staff and families
Creating a safe and welcoming environment for every student
Supporting teachers and staff
Strengthening the school's close-knit community
🔗 Read more about Principal Wallace here
We are excited to welcome Principal Wallace to Sherwood Elementary and look forward to a wonderful school year together!
Welcome, Principal April Tavilson!
Hollibrook Elementary is proud to welcome April Tavilson as its new principal.
For Principal Tavilson, this role is not about joining a new community. It is about continuing to serve one she already calls home. After several years as Hollibrook's assistant principal, she is excited to continue building strong relationships with students, staff and families.
Principal Tavilson believes great schools are built on Belonging and Growth.
As a leader, she describes herself with one word: Together.
She believes the best outcomes happen when students, staff and families work together toward a shared vision for every child.
This school year, Principal Tavilson is focused on:
Ensuring every student feels safe, loved and empowered
Strengthening high-quality instruction
Supporting and developing teachers
Building strong partnerships with families
Creating a culture where every child can grow and succeed
🔗 Read more about Principal Tavilson here
We are excited to welcome Principal Tavilson into this new role and look forward to another outstanding year at Hollibrook Elementary!
Welcome, Director Carlos Ortiz!
Tiger Trail School for Early Learning is proud to welcome Carlos Ortiz as its new director.
For Director Ortiz, leading Tiger Trail feels like coming home. After 21 years in education, he is excited to partner with teachers and families to provide SBISD's youngest learners with the strongest possible educational foundation.
Director Ortiz believes great schools are built on Collective Greatness and Collaborative Spirit.
As a leader, he describes himself with one word: Collaboration.
His leadership is rooted in serving others and bringing people together to help every child succeed.
This school year, Director Ortiz is focused on:
Building relationships with students, families and staff
Supporting teachers in every possible way
Creating an inclusive, learner-centered environment
Helping students become problem-solvers, critical thinkers and communicators
Ensuring every child feels they belong
A message from Director Ortiz
"What I want every student to feel when they walk through our doors is 'I belong.' I want Every Child to know they are valued, they are safe and they are exactly where they are meant to be."
🔗 Read more about Director Ortiz here
We are excited to welcome Director Ortiz to Tiger Trail School for Early Learning and look forward to an incredible year ahead!
Welcome, Principal Daphne Wilson! Northbrook High School is proud to welcome Daphne Wilson as its new principal.
For Principal Wilson, serving Northbrook is more than a new role. It is a continuation of a community that has been part of her family's story for years. As both an educator and parent, she is committed to helping every Raider succeed.
Principal Wilson believes great schools are built on hope and opportunity.
As a leader, she describes herself with one word: builder
Her goal is to build people, strengthen systems and create opportunities that help students, staff and the entire school community thrive.
This school year, Principal Wilson is focused on:
Strengthening instruction
Supporting teachers and staff
Expanding opportunities for students
Ensuring every Raider feels valued, connected and challenged
Preparing students for success after graduation
We are excited to welcome Principal Wilson into this new role and look forward to another outstanding year at Northbrook High School!
Applications for free and reduced-price school meals for the 2026-2027 school year are now available. Families who may qualify are encouraged to apply. Learn more about eligibility requirements and the application process in the full article, linked below. #SBISDProud
🔗 Read the article
🔗 Visit the School Nutrition Services website to learn more
Ready for the first day? Bus routes are now available! Take a few minutes to find your student's bus route before school starts so you're ready for a smooth first day.
🗓️ First day: Thursday, August 13
🔗 Find my bus route
Spring Branch ISD is looking for community leaders with expertise in finance, real estate, or a related field, to help shape the district's financial future.
Recently, the SBISD Board of Trustees approved the formation of a Board of Trustees Budget Advisory Committee, which will begin meeting in Fall 2026. This committee will serve as a strategic thought partner, providing objective guidance and informed recommendations as the district addresses ongoing financial challenges.
Thank you for your willingness to support SBISD and our students!
Applications are open through July 15, 2026.
🔗 Click here to learn more and apply
Watch it now! A name that represents possibilities. 💙✨ The new Guthrie Center is coming to life! Take a quick drone fly-by for a first look at the new name displayed on the building as we prepare to welcome students into this incredible new learning space. The future is taking shape in SBISD—and we can't wait to share more as opening day gets closer. #GuthrieCenter #2022Bond #BuildingTheFuture #EveryChild
🏆 SBISD Athletics is proud to be recognized as a District of Distinction! This honor reflects the Spring Branch Way and the incredible student-athletes who lead with character, compete with integrity, and make a positive impact both on and off the field. Congratulations to our athletes, coaches, and supporters for building a culture of excellence that extends far beyond the game. #SBISD #DistrictOfDistinction #TheSpringBranchWay #StudentAthletes
The season starts now. 💪 SBISD student-athletes spent the summer putting in the work through camps, training, and skill development to prepare for the fall sports season. We can't wait to see them compete, grow, and achieve great things on the field, court, track, and beyond. Let's go, SBISD! 🏈⚽🏐🏃♀️ #SBISD #StudentAthletes #FallSports #ReadyToCompete
A great school year starts with the right foundation. Thanks to Project Warm, Rice University, Nordstrom Rack, and generous community partners, Woodview Elementary students received new shoes to help them step into the new school year with confidence.
Thank you for helping ensure Every Child has the resources and support they need to thrive. #SBISD #EveryChild #ProjectWarm #CommunityPartners
📱 One App. Everything SBISD. Get ready for the new school year by downloading the Spring Branch ISD TX Family App and exploring our new communication tools. The Family App gives you access to district and campus news, events, notifications, and updates all in one place. Families will also use ROOMS for teacher-to-family communication this year. Look for information from your school/teacher during back-to-school activities about how ROOMS will be used your campus in the year ahead. #SBISD #OneAppEverythingSBISD #BackToSchool #StayConnected
It's that time! Thursday, August 13, 2026, is the first day of class for the 2026-2027 Academic School Year. We hope your day is great. We will be on the lookout for photos celebrating the smiles, celebrations and fun of back to class. It's going to be an amazing year, SBISD!
From beekeeping to pharmacy, veterinary science to floral design, SBISD students explored exciting career pathways this summer through hands-on CTE learning experiences. Thank you to our incredible CTE instructors for sharing your expertise and helping students discover new possibilities for their future. Together, we're preparing students for success in college, career, and life. #SBISD #CTE #FutureReady #SummerLearning
