Supporting Schools

How can I give back to my school or HISD?

HISD graduates who wish to give back to their schools or communities have several avenues open to them.

Volunteers in Public Schools offers individuals, businesses, and other organizations a variety of ways to support public education. Volunteers may choose to tutor students, act as mentors or advisors, organize or host field trips, or serve students in other ways. Companies and organizations, meanwhile, may choose to finance award banquets, purchase school supplies, or encourage their employees to volunteer. For more information call 713-556-7200.

The HISD Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization created to fund programs that the district either doesn't have the resources or the authority to provide for students and teachers. It has worked for years with the Fund for Teachers to provide educators with restorative summer sabbaticals, and in November 2003 it helped fund PSAT for All, a districtwide initiative to administer the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQAT) to all HISD tenth-graders. For more information, visit the website or call 713-556-7200.

Alumni associations at each HISD high school would welcome the chance to work with former students. Volunteers can help organize class reunions, plan upcoming events, join the PTA, or find other ways to serve their alma mater. Click the link above or contact your high school for more information.

Power for Schools is a partnership between HISD and various retail power suppliers that allows consumers to raise money for their favorite campuses while doing something they already do every day: use electricity. The program requires no door-to-door selling for students and costs consumers nothing to participate. For more information, visit the Power for Schools website.

Donors Choose is an online charity that allows supporters to fund any of the various projects and requests described by teachers on the website. Teachers whose projects are fully funded provide photos of their classes enjoying the equipment or supplies purchased, and students send a personalized thank-you note to their supporters.