MDE Tours 2026-27
All tours begin at 8:30 a.m. Please bring a photo ID to check in before the tour begins.
September 16
October 7
November 17
December 15
January 20
February 17
March 17
April 15
May 12
The Opening Act of Auction is LIVE!! CLICK HERE to Bid & Purchase. Parties, experiences, and special offerings taking place before our big Auction night on 2.27.27 are available to purchase. We’ve got some exciting new experiences in the lineup this year, plus the return of favorites everyone knows and loves!
For the kids: Pedicures with the Principal, Bowling with the Principal, and King & Queen of Fall Festival.
For the parents: Progressive Dinners, Night in the Northeast, Holiday Happenings, and more!
And for everyone: A little auction winter merch preview! The new “winter line” will drop 9.25 at ponies on patio theme reveal!
Consider this your first chance to play… with plenty more surprises still in the cards!
Questions? auction@mdepta.org or reach out to Carrie Compton, Blair Foster & Molly Weisselberg.
Parents, please join us for MDE Open House Wednesday, September 9 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Each homeroom teacher will hold two identical presentations, one at 4:30 and one at 5:00. Please join us to learn more about what you can expect as the school year progresses.
For the sixth consecutive year, Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) has been named a District of Distinction by the Texas Art Education Association, recognizing our district’s commitment to providing outstanding visual arts education for students.
This achievement belongs to our incredible SBISD art educators. Their creativity, talent and dedication inspire students to discover their voices, take creative risks and see what’s possible through the arts.
Thank you to our art educators for creating opportunities for students to learn, create and shine every day. Your work makes this recognition possible.
Congratulations on another year of distinction! #SBISDProud #SBISDPossible #CollectiveGreatness #TAEADistrictOfDistinction
Join us for Pathways to Progress, a virtual session designed for parents and families of students in grades 3–5.
Academic success after graduation begins long before high school. The elementary years are an important time to build the skills, habits, confidence, and support systems students need to thrive throughout their educational journey.
During this session, we will explore practical ways parents and caregivers can partner with their child’s school to establish a strong academic foundation and support continued growth from elementary school through middle school, high school, and beyond. We will provide ideas and strategies you can use to help your child succeed today while preparing for tomorrow that can help create and nurture pathways to academic success.
See image for more details.
Date: Tuesday September 1, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm via Zoom
Register to receive the link: tinyurl.com/SBISDPathway
Academic success after graduation begins long before high school. The elementary years are an important time to build the skills, habits, confidence, and support systems students need to thrive throughout their educational journey.
During this session, we will explore practical ways parents and caregivers can partner with their child’s school to establish a strong academic foundation and support continued growth from elementary school through middle school, high school, and beyond. We will provide ideas and strategies you can use to help your child succeed today while preparing for tomorrow that can help create and nurture pathways to academic success.
See image for more details.
Date: Tuesday September 1, 2026
Time: 6:00 pm via Zoom
Register to receive the link: tinyurl.com/SBISDPathway
Ponies on Patio is a monthly MDE tradition with music, hula hoops, and fun music. Doors open for parents and students to gather in our courtyard starting at 7:30 a.m. At 7:50, parents are allowed to walk their children to class before instruction begins at 7:55. Our first Ponies on the Patio is Friday, August 28, starting at 7:30 a.m. Check out the PTA calendar for future dates.
We hope you had an amazing first few days back at school! 💙💛 There’s so much more to celebrate, and we’ll be sharing more of the fun next week. Be sure to follow along on social media as we capture more moments from across the district. Welcome back, SBISD! Here’s to a great year ahead! 🎉 #SBISDProud #SBISDPossible #SBISD80
First day. First look. Endless possibilities. 💙💛 Students are officially making the new Guthrie Center their own! On their first day of classes, students got a firsthand look at the new spaces where they’ll learn, create, explore and prepare for what comes next. This is T-2-4 in action, and it’s just the beginning of what’s possible at the Guthrie Center. #SBISDProud #SBISDPossible #SBISD80
What a way to start the year! 💙💛 From big smiles and first-day hugs to reconnecting with friends and meeting new teachers, there were so many great moments across SBISD today. 📸 Check out some of our favorite photos from the first day of school! Here’s to an amazing year ahead! #SBISDProud #SBISDPossible
Fall 2026 Credit by Exam
Fall 2026 CBE testing is available for SBISD students enrolled in 1st through 5th grades for the 2026-27 school year.
Note: Kindergarteners may not test in August.
The district is offering an August CBE Testing Window. Students looking to accelerate in math (often referred to as Math Movers) or whole grade in the fall will have the opportunity to test in August rather than October, reducing missed instructional time in their new class(es). Students with a score of 80% or above may accelerate immediately during the first few weeks of school.
In order to accommodate these changes, students may have a homeroom teacher change.
NOTE: Students are only allowed to re-test once per quarter for acceleration, therefore any July 2026 testers will NOT be eligible to test in August. July and August are in the same testing window. The next CBE testing window will be spring 2027. The CBE testing window will occur in late March rather than early February.
Registration:
• You must register using this CBE Form: MDE CBE Form
• The district has extended the deadline because of the new August testing window.
Monday, August 17, 2026 is the extended deadline. Late applications cannot be accepted!
Testing:
• Testing will be at Memorial Drive Elementary within the district fall testing window of August 18-28, 2026, during the school day.
More information regarding the 2026-2027 Credit by Exam can be found by clicking the link:
Credit by Exam | Academics
Questions? Please contact the MDE counselor, Krystal Zakharov via email: krystal.zakharov@springbranchisd.com
Krystal Zakharov
School Counselor
Memorial Drive Elementary, Spring Branch ISD
11202 Smithdale Road, Houston, TX
713-251-6300
Krystal.Zakharov@springbranchisd.com
🎒💛 School starts tomorrow, SBISD!
As students head back to school, let’s all do our part to help make the first day a safe one.
🚗 Slow down and stay alert in school zones.
🚌 Stop for school buses when lights are flashing and the stop sign is extended.
🚸 Watch for students in crosswalks and near bus stops.
📵 Put the phone down and keep your attention on the road.
⏰ Give yourself extra time. Arrival and dismissal may take a little longer during the first few days.
👮 Follow directions from crossing guards, SBISD Police and campus staff.
Whether you’re driving, walking, biking or riding the bus, a little extra patience and attention can make a big difference.
Let’s start the school year safely, SBISD! 💙💛 #SBISDProud #BackToSchool
As students head back to school, let’s all do our part to help make the first day a safe one.
🚗 Slow down and stay alert in school zones.
🚌 Stop for school buses when lights are flashing and the stop sign is extended.
🚸 Watch for students in crosswalks and near bus stops.
📵 Put the phone down and keep your attention on the road.
⏰ Give yourself extra time. Arrival and dismissal may take a little longer during the first few days.
👮 Follow directions from crossing guards, SBISD Police and campus staff.
Whether you’re driving, walking, biking or riding the bus, a little extra patience and attention can make a big difference.
Let’s start the school year safely, SBISD! 💙💛 #SBISDProud #BackToSchool
Earlier this morning, the Memorial Drive Elementary community gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Lucy's Lab, a special space honoring the life and legacy of former MDE student Lucy Dillon.
Lucy, who tragically passed away in the July 2025 Texas Hill Country floods, had a passion for STEM and a love of learning that touched those around her. Now, the MDE STEM Lab that bears her name will carry that passion forward, giving students opportunities to explore, create and discover through innovative, hands-on learning experiences.
Thank you to Lucy's family, friends and the MDE community for joining us to celebrate this meaningful unveiling and honor a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of students. #SBISDProud
Take a look inside the new Guthrie Center! Made possible through the 2022 Bond Program, this incredible new space is ready for students. We can’t wait to see it come to life as we head back to school! Check out the photo gallery for a first look. #SBISDProud #SBISDPossible #SBISDBond
The newest edition of Inspire is here, and it's packed with everything families need to start the school year strong. From back to school reminders and key dates to district news and helpful resources, this issue has you covered as we count down to the first day of school. Read the latest edition. #SBISDProud #SBISDPossible #BackToSchool
Families – make sure to update your Skyward Family Access mobile app ! The latest mobile app update may require you to run updates from the App Store on your phone before you can sign in. Don't wait until the first day of school!
We've posted step-by-step instructions on our website to help you:
✅ Update the Skyward Family Access app
✅ Reset your password
✅ Be ready for the first day
Take a few minutes now to ensure you're ready to access schedules, grades, attendance and important school information.
🔗 Click here to learn more
The Pony Packet is live! Complete this actionable checklist from the MDE PTA today to make your life easier this fall. 🔗Pony Packet
Please join us at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, August 11 for the unveiling of Lucy's Lab in honor of Lucy Dillon. 🔗Bright Like Lucy
The future is taking shape at The Guthrie Center! We're excited to see the state-of-the-art Career and Technical Education (CTE) facility featured by KPRC2 as we prepare to welcome students for an incredible school year. This September, we'll celebrate the grand opening of The Guthrie Center, a milestone made possible through the 2022 Bond Program and our community's investment in the future. Read more in KPRC2's story and follow along as we count down to opening day. #SBISDProud #SBISDPossible
