It wasn’t a birthday celebration that brought out the balloons and cheers this week at Nichols Mock elementary - instead it was a celebration of a different kind of milestone as Alvin ISD officially enrolled its 30,000th student less than a month into the 2024-2025 school year.
Over the past two decades, Alvin ISD’s enrollment has more than doubled and last week the number crossed into a new bracket, marking a significant achievement in the district’s continued growth.
To celebrate, Superintendent Carol Nelson made a special visit to Nichols Mock Elementary, where she surprised first grader Lucio Ubalde with balloons and a certificate, honoring him as the 30,000th student.
Lucio was caught off guard by the celebration, but his surprise quickly turned into a smile as he realized he was at the center of such a special moment. His classmates were cheering him on and joining in the excitement as they celebrated the honor alongside him.
Superintendent Nelson shared her excitement about the event, saying, "It was so much fun to surprise Lucio and see the joy on his face, as well as the excitement from his classmates. This is a celebration of not just one student, but the entire Alvin ISD community. Our growth is a testament to the dedication of our teachers, the support of our families, and the reputation of excellence we’ve worked hard to build."
Lucio just happened to be enrolled just after his mother, Phoebe Ubalde, had finished enrolling his younger brother, who started Pre-K the same day.
Phoebe Ubalde expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome her family has received since moving to the area.
"We moved here from Kentucky for work, and we liked the area, especially that the school is within walking distance from our home. Everyone at Nichols Mock has been so kind and welcoming," she said.
In 2018, the district served around 26,000 students and Alvin ISD's enrollment has steadily grown, reflecting the rapid expansion of the surrounding communities and the district's commitment to providing high-quality education.
District enrollment is projected to grow by 11.31% between the 2023-24 and 2028-29 school years, with enrollment numbers anticipated to hit 36,951 within the next decade. This growth is fueled by the availability of over 2,435 vacant developed home lots within Alvin ISD’s boundaries with an additional 19,711 lots planned for future development.
The district is also proud to be home to diverse academic offerings, which include specialized programs such as the WINGS and STEM Academies, a strong emphasis on fine arts, and many Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings. Alvin ISD’s commitment to individualized instruction ensures that each student receives the support they need to thrive academically and personally every day.