Wrapping up 23-24
Dear CFISD Community:
My first semester in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD has certainly been an eventful one—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything! Despite numerous challenges, this school district continues to thrive and achieve on every level.
There is no better encapsulation of this perseverance than our ongoing commencement exercises. By the time we are done on Saturday evening, I will have shaken hands with nearly 8,900 graduates of the Class of 2024. The joy of their achievement makes me beam with pride as superintendent.
Class of 2024 Cy Ridge Graduates
Graduation was the culmination of many successes this spring.
In fine and visual arts, 38 musicians were named to TMEA All-State groups, and the Bridgeland HS and Salyards MS choirs performed as TMEA Honor Groups. CFISD was named one of the 2024 Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants. Three CFISD art students had their work chosen as top 10 finalists in the District 38 Congressional Art Contest hosted by Rep. Wesley Hunt. Bridgeland’s One-Act Play placed fourth in the entire region. The Bridgeland HS band won the coveted Sudler Shield Award from the Sousa Foundation. Cypress Woods HS students won a state championship at the UIL State Theatrical Design Contest in May.
The Salyards Middle School Treble Chorale was one of the TMEA honor groups selected to perform at the TMEA Conference on Feb. 19 in San Antonio.
In athletics, the Cypress Falls HS cheer squad won an NCA national championship in January. Cy-Fair HS swimmer Sofia Luper won two medals at the state swim meet in February, and three wrestlers placed among the top two in their weight classes at the state meet in February. Cypress Woods HS senior Kiran Mandava won a gold medal with the Team USA Men’s Junior National Gymnastics Team at a team event in March. Jersey Village HS alum Patrick Paul and Cypress Woods HS alum Christian Jones were both selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Jersey Village HS golfer Daniela Palmeros amd Bridgeland HS golfer Blake Brown placed among the top 10 in the state. CFISD track and field athletes won three championships at the state meet in May.
The Cypress Falls High School cheerleading team celebrates its first national championship in program history at the NCA High School Nationals on Jan. 21, 2024 in Dallas.
In career & technical education, student projects generated more than $680,000 at the 30th annual CFISD Livestock Show & Sale. AVP students from Cypress Woods HS earned a Gold Distinction in Broadcast Excellence at the national STN conference.
Cypress Ranch High School sophomore Angelina Smith had the Grand Champion Broilers at the 30th Annual CFISD Livestock Show Association Show and Sale, which sold for $9,000 to Towne-Lake-Caldwell Co.
Other academic achievements included the Bridgeland and Cypress Ridge robotics teams qualifying for the VEX Robotics World Championships, Wells ES student Vir Lagad qualifying for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Destination Imagination teams from seven schools advancing to the DI Global Finals, and Bridgeland HS and Langham Creek HS students winning state championships at the UIL Academic State Meet!
Lagad goes to Wells Elementary School in Cy-Fair ISD and he placed third at the Regional Spelling Bee on March 23.
All that is just a fraction of the incredible successes our students and staff achieved this year! As the school year ends and you enter summer break, take some time to reflect on a job well done as you rest and recharge for the school year ahead. You brought out the best in the entire school district in 2023-2024, and I can’t wait to discover what amazing things you are capable of in 2024-2025.
In the best interest of children,
Doug Killian, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools