McReynolds Middle School reopens as alternative school despite HISD documents citing poor condition
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Eyewitness News has learned McReynolds Middle School is back open just months after its closure as part of a broader district consolidation effort.
District documents from February state part of the reason McReynolds was consolidated was the building's poor condition, but Houston ISD has now confirmed the campus is back in use as an alternative school.
In the first week of school, HISD mom and east-side resident Jessica Campos and her kids noticed something strange at McReynolds Middle School.
"My kid was like, 'Mom, I don't think the bus is picking them up; I see kids going inside the building.'" Campos, who drives by the campus multiple times a day to drop off and pick up her kids, said.
In February 2026, HISD announced McReynolds Middle School would be one of 12 campuses closing down. Students from both McReynolds and Fleming Middle schools in east Houston would consolidate to nearby Leland Middle School.
At the time, District documents said: "Neither building is suitable for student learning." And that students would be moved to Leland to "...provide a safer, healthier space for students to succeed academically."
"Are they not allowed to have a good school as well, a good functioning school? I'm just really curious, is that really why they closed the school?" Campos said.
HISD confirms that after a brief closure, McReynolds Middle School is back open as a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program.
A district statement sent to ABC13 said:
"Houston ISD considers multiple factors when making decisions about school consolidations, including enrollment, building utilization, academic programming, operational efficiency, and facility needs. The consolidation of a school does not necessarily mean the facility is no longer suitable for District use.
The former McReynolds Middle School facility is currently being used to support HISD's Disciplinary Alternative Education Program. The District determined the facility is appropriate for this use and conducive to a safe and productive learning environment for students and staff."
The district did not answer follow-up questions about whether improvements were made to the campus, how many students are attending McReynolds, or if the other 11 campuses that were consolidated are back in use.
HISD parent and advocate Fred Woods said this sends the wrong message to students being sent to McReynolds.
"Understanding that this wasn't good enough for students and teachers to be in, in the first place, and was going to be closed, and now it's going to be open for students who have disciplinary needs is unacceptable," Woods said.
District documents show campuses are graded using a Facility Conditions Index, also called an FCI. The best FCI grade a building can get is 0%. McReynolds was scored a 75% when it was closed earlier this year.
"It's concerning because why are there kids at this school again? And why do DAEP kids deserve to be in this building and not out general ed students?" Campos said.
