The Houston Independent School District is the largest school district in Texas and the eighth-largest in the United States. Its 276 schools serve over 194,000 students, most of whom are classified as economically disadvantaged. Each year, this award recognizes the public school system that has demonstrated the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among poor and minority students. In December 2013, HISD received $30 million in federal Race to the Top funds for its innovative Linked Learning model that will blend rigorous academics and career preparedness from K-12 grades. HISD stands out as a district of choice. It offers a robust portfolio of schools from strong neighborhood schools to magnet, Vanguard, dual language, career and technical education and other specialized programs. HISD has the highest school district bond rating in Texas. In 2012, voters approved a $1.89 billion school construction bond to replace and repair 40 schools across the district, including 29 high schools.
