Happy days are here again as more than 1,100 young learners bid adieu to the familiar embrace of their parents’ arms, officially kicking off the 2026-2027 academic year at Harris County Department of Education (HCDE). With backpacks in tow, a mix of curiosity, excitement and perhaps a few last-minute tears, students stepped into their new classrooms Aug. 17, ready to explore new surroundings, meet new friends and begin a school year filled with opportunities to learn, grow and discover. 

“With children, it could be easy, or it could be very challenging, but it’s important to make sure everybody’s ready to start the school year on a positive note,” Head Start Senior Director Venetia Peacock said. “The most important thing is kindness, nurturing and making sure the children understand they’re in a safe place, they’re loved, and they’re going to be taken care of – the teaching comes after that.” 

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HCDE’s 12 Head Start campuses support children’s growth from birth to age 5 through services centered on early learning and development, health and family well-being. Students in the Early Head Start and Head Start programs follow the Frog Street Press curriculum, which promotes school readiness for infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children from low-income families.  

For Imelda Monsivais, the decision to enroll four-year-old Sergio at Coolwood Head Start was an easy one. As a long-time Head Start parent, she has already seen the program make a difference in the lives of her two older children, both currently enrolled in a charter school operated by Houston Independent School District.    

“The curriculum helped them in so many ways,” Monsivais said. “They are more social with other kids, they learned the fundamentals of learning early, and they are more interested in their books than phones, which is a huge plus.”  

Sergio, who returned for his second year in the program, handled the first day like a pro, waltzing in to meet his teacher, who tasked students with storing their belongings in cubby shelves before washing their hands for a nutritious breakfast. Healthy meals are one of the program’s cornerstones and provided daily at all campuses.  

“He actually spent all summer asking when he was coming back to school, but he thought he was going to go back to his same class, so that did take some explaining,” Monsivais said as she laughed.  

On the other hand, many first-time parents could still be seen lingering outside classrooms throughout the week, trying to get a glimpse of how their child was adjusting to the new setting and routine. Jaleah Jones learned about the Head Start program online but has not been disappointed by its rapid educational impact on her one-year-old Ka’aliyah.  

“The teachers said she had a great first day and stopped crying as soon as I left,” Jones described. “Then today, I drop Ka’aliyah off, and she’s saying, ‘food.’ She’s never said that before! I’m glad she’s already learning, and I’m patiently waiting for another spot to open for my other child.” 

Those early moments and milestones are just the beginning of what the staff strives to turn into meaningful growth for every child who walks through their doors. From developing language and social skills to building confidence and a willingness to try new things, the program is designed to equip children with the tools they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.  

“By the end of the school year, I hope our parents will be able to articulate the difference they’ve noticed in their child, the growth, the language, the collaboration that they have daily with other kids because they were enrolled in a Head Start program,” Peacock said.