HOUSTON — Kids are heading back to school and we know there is a lot of confusion on which school districts are requiring masks now that some Houston-area counties are enforcing mask mandates for certain businesses and buildings.
Harris County announced a mask mandate Thursday for all schools and childcare facilities but, so far, only a few districts are complying.
Most are following Gov. Greg Abbott's order that bans mandates but there are a few exceptions. Here's the list.
Last updated: 7:53 a.m. Wednesday, August 18, 2021.
MASKS REQUIRED
Aldine ISD
Aldine ISD will lift its mask mandate on Monday, March 7. The district will no longer require students, staff, and visitors to wear masks at district facilities or events. Read more.
Alvin ISD (staff members only)
Alvin ISD is temporarily requiring all staff members who work with children in elementary or junior high school to wear a mask or face shield while indoors. This requirement will be effective August 25, 2021 through September 30, 2021. This standard will be reevaluated by September 30, 2021.
Masks are strongly recommended for students at Alvin ISD.
Angleton ISD
All students, staff, and visitors while indoors on AISD property, and while riding Angleton ISD buses, must wear face masks covering the nose and mouth.
Parents do have the choice to opt their child out of wearing face coverings, and face coverings will not be required in outdoor settings.
Channelview ISD
Channelview ISD has revised its mask policy in response to the mask mandate issued by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. Everyone is now required to wear a mask while at all Channelview ISD campuses and district facilities. Effective immediately. Read more.
Galena Park ISD
Galena Park ISD says masks must be worn by all students, staff and visitors while indoors on school property and school buses, effective immediately.
Galveston ISD
All Galveston ISD students and staff will be required to wear masks at all district facilities and on buses when school begins on August 23.
Houston ISD
HISD will be relaxing its mask mandate starting March 1. Masks within HISD schools, facilities, and school buses will become optional.
Spring ISD
Spring ISD will be moving from “mask required” to “mask recommended” in all district facilities and campuses effective Friday, March 4.
Texas City ISD
The Texas City ISD Board voted that Texas City ISD will be mandating that masks be worn by everyone on school buses and within school facilities beginning on Aug. 18, 2021, until the level of positive cases warrants reconsideration.
MASKS OPTIONAL
Alief ISD
Masks remain voluntary at Alief ISD. In the event the district's mask policy changes, parents and students will be notified.
Barbers Hill
Masks are optional in Barbers Hill ISD.
Brazos ISD
Facial coverings for students, staff and visitors are optional at Brazos ISD.
Brazosport ISD
Masks are optional for staff, students and visitors at Brazosport ISD. The district encourages all families and staff members to make the best decision for themselves in deciding whether to wear one or not, and we expect all staff, students, and visitors to respect the choice of others.
Clear Creek ISD
Face coverings are optional at Clear Creek ISD, but the district strongly recommending students and staff wear face coverings indoors.
Cleveland ISD
The Cleveland ISD School Board voted to return to school with masks as optional. If you have any questions regarding masks, please contact your child's campus.
Columbia-Brazoria ISD
Masks are not required for Columbia-Brazoria ISD students and staff as March 17th. Any staff or student who would like to continue wearing a mask may continue to do so.
Conroe ISD
No Conroe ISD employee, student, or visitor is required to wear a mask or face covering, but all employees, students, and visitors are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering.
Crosby ISD
As of June 5, no student, teacher, staff member, parent or visitor is required to wear a mask while on Crosby ISD property.
Cy-Fair ISD
Face masks are optional for all CFISD students and staff.
- Bus drivers will provide disposable masks to students upon request.
- Parents of students in grades Pre-K through five may request that their child be placed with other masked students in classrooms and other common areas, such as large group areas, cafeterias, playgrounds, and buses, to the extent feasible. Requests should be made to campus administration.
Damon ISD
Masks are optional in Damon ISD.
Danbury ISD
Danbury ISD posted its policies on their Facebook page. You can read them all here. Students and staff are encouraged to wear masks.
Dayton ISD
Face coverings will not be required for Dayton ISD staff, students or visitors, although they are highly encouraged. An individual may choose to wear a mask if desired.
Deer Park ISD
Deer Park ISD is strongly encouraging masks for unvaccinated individuals but masks are not required.
Dickinson ISD
Face coverings for DISD students and employees are optional; however, face coverings are recommended, especially for those who are not vaccinated.
Fort Bend ISD
Fort Bend ISD recently revised its mask policy Saturday, Aug. 28 after the latest legal developments. The district is not requiring the wearing of masks for students and administration. The district, though, strongly encourages employees, students, parents and visitors to wear masks.
Friendswood ISD
Masks are optional in Friendswood ISD.
Goose Creek CISD
Masks are optional at Goose Creek ISD, although the district encourages everyone who wishes to wear a face-covering to do so, especially anyone who is not vaccinated.
Hardin ISD
Masks and face coverings are optional for Hardin ISD students and staff. Individuals that feel more comfortable may continue to wear masks or face coverings. Those with compromised immune systems are encouraged to wear a mask or face co
Hempstead ISD
Masks are not required at Hempstead ISD.
Hitchcock ISD
All students are required to wear face masks, covering nose and mouth, while indoors., according to Hitchcock's ISD Reopening Plan.
Huffman ISD
Face masks remain optional in Huffman ISD.
Hull-Daisetta
Masks are optional in Hull-Daisetta ISD.
Humble ISD
Face masks remain optional in Humble ISD.
Katy ISD
Face coverings and masks will remain optional on all Katy ISD campuses.
Campuses will continue to provide sanitizing products for students and staff, as well as encourage social distancing practices where appropriate.
Klein ISD
No employee, student, or visitor is required to wear a mask or face covering at Klein ISD, but all employees, students, and visitors are allowed to wear a mask or face covering if they choose to do so.
La Porte ISD
Masks will remain optional in La Porte ISD for all students and staff.
Lamar CISD
Lamar CISD will continue to follow the Board-approved COVID-19 protocols and face coverings are optional.
Liberty ISD
Face masks are completely optional for all students and staff of Liberty ISD. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask will be allowed to do so, but no student or staff member will be required.
Magnolia ISD
Masks are optional in Magnolia ISD.
Montgomery ISD
Masks will be optional for all Montgomery ISD students, staff and visitors.
Needville ISD
Needville ISD will leave decisions up to the individuals. Masking is an option if one so chooses but masking is not mandatory.
New Caney ISD
All face coverings, including masks and shields, may be worn at the discretion of the individual student or staff member. Face coverings will be subject to dress code requirements for both students and staff, according to New Caney ISD's website.
Pasadena ISD
Face coverings are highly recommended for staff, students and visitors on Pasadena ISD property.
Pearland ISD
Pearland ISD highly recommends masks for all students, staff and visitors while indoors.
Richards ISD
Masks are optional in Richards ISD.
Santa Fe ISD
Face masks are optional for Sante Fe ISD staff and students, but the district strongly encourages masks, especially for those with a compromised immune system or if not fully vaccinated.
Sheldon ISD
Masks are now optional in Sheldon ISD schools. The district initially said they would be required but changed the policy after consulting with their attornies.
Splendora ISD
Face coverings/masks are optional for Splendora ISD employees, students, and visitors, including while on school buses.
Spring Branch ISD
Spring Branch ISD's "Health and Safety Plan" continues to include an option, but not a mandate, for students, staff and visitors to wear masks on campus.
Stafford MSD
At this time, there is not a mask mandate in force at SMSD. However, due to an increase in positive COVID-19 cases, SMSD is strongly encouraging vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to wear masks for the safety of all especially while engaging in indoor activities and in close proximity with others.
Sweeny ISD
Masks are optional and social distancing is a continued requirement for students and staff of Sweeney ISD. The District will supply a limited number of masks to each campus. They initially said they would require masks but changed their minds.
Tarkington ISD
Masks are option in Tarkington ISD.
Tomball ISD
Masks are optional in Tomball ISD for all staff and students.
Willis ISD
Masks are optional in Willis ISD.