Frisco ISD, for years one of the fastest-growing districts in Texas, is now managing decline. Enrollment has fallen since its 2022-23 peak, Staley Middle School closed after the 2025-26 school year, and the 2026-27 budget added fare-based busing at $70 to $90 a month for families who do not qualify for a district bus. For buyers choosing a Frisco home, school logistics now deserve a closer look.
What changed in Frisco ISD this school year?
The Frisco ISD Board of Trustees approved a balanced 2026-27 budget on June 16, 2026, with $751.899 million in both revenue and spending, according to the district. To balance it, the district cut costs and added new fees. The ones families are most likely to notice:
- Fare-based busing: $70 to $90 a month, depending on the number of children in the household, for students who do not qualify for a district bus. Students on free or reduced lunch get discounts, and only open seats on existing routes are sold.
- Tuition-based pre-K: for children who do not qualify for state-funded pre-K. The district expected about 600 additional pre-K students.
- Chromebook fee: $20 a year for secondary students, covering the first accidental damage repair.
- Facility rental rates: up $25 an hour for groups renting turf and gyms, with more increases planned.
All staff received 2% raises, and the district held its tax rate at $1.0194 per $100 of valuation, per Community Impact.
Who qualifies for a free bus in Frisco ISD?
The district's longstanding rule provides transportation for students who live 2 miles or more from their assigned school, measured by the shortest traversable route. Elementary and middle school students closer than 2 miles can still qualify if they must cross a six-lane road with a speed limit above 45 mph, a tollway, a state highway or a farm-to-market road. Families who fall outside those rules are the ones the fare-based option is designed for.
How much has enrollment actually dropped?
KERA reported that Frisco ISD grew by about 3,000 students a year for 15 years and peaked at about 67,000 students in 2023, and that enrollment has since fallen by about 3,000. District leaders pointed to several causes:
- Homes are turning over more slowly, so established neighborhoods produce fewer new students.
- Birth rates are declining in Texas and nationally.
- Some families are moving to counties farther out.
- Charter schools and other options are increasing competition.
Deputy Superintendent Todd Fouche said he expects more students to leave and more closures across the region over the next five to ten years.
What happened with Staley Middle School?
The board voted on Oct. 20, 2025 to close Staley Middle School after the 2025-26 school year, according to Wakeland Access. Starting in fall 2026, Staley students were rezoned to Griffin, Trent or Hunt middle schools. Earlier Community Impact reporting noted the 1973 building needed an estimated $7 million to $10 million in plumbing repairs, and that voters rejected all three propositions in a $1.08 billion bond package in November 2024.
Is Frisco ISD trying to grow again?
Yes. Access Frisco lets kindergarten through seventh grade students transfer in from other districts. In May 2026 it had enrolled 870 students and generated about $8.4 million, according to Community Impact. The district has also launched Frisco Flex, a virtual education program, per KERA. Because state funding follows the student, every transfer helps the budget.
What does this mean for families buying in Frisco?
Frisco ISD remains a major draw, and declining enrollment can mean smaller class loads in some places. It also means families should not assume that the campus assignments, bus routes and programs that existed when a neighbor bought will stay the same. Our agents at The Agency Dallas who work Frisco suggest a short checklist:
- Verify the assigned campuses for a specific address directly with the district before you write an offer.
- Measure the commute to school. If a home falls under 2 miles without a qualifying crossing, budget for either the fare-based bus or the daily drive.
- Ask about boundary history. Areas near closed or underused campuses may see further changes.
- Price in the fees. Pre-K tuition, busing fares and device fees are small next to a mortgage, but they add up for larger families.
Does enrollment decline hurt Frisco home values?
Not directly. Enrollment is falling partly because existing owners are staying put longer, which also limits resale inventory. Values are driven by many factors, including the city's amenities and job base. For a broader look, see our Frisco community page and market reports. The Agency Dallas will keep tracking district decisions that affect where families buy.
Frequently asked questions
How much does fare-based busing cost in Frisco ISD?
The district's 2026-27 budget set fare-based busing at $70 to $90 per month, depending on how many children in the household ride. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch receive discounts. Only open seats on existing bus routes are sold, so availability depends on the route serving each address.
Who gets free bus service in Frisco ISD?
Students who live 2 miles or more from their assigned school by the shortest traversable route qualify. Elementary and middle students closer than 2 miles also qualify if they must cross a six-lane road over 45 mph, a tollway, a state highway or a farm-to-market road. Others may use fare-based busing.
Why did Frisco ISD close Staley Middle School?
The board voted in October 2025 to close Staley after the 2025-26 school year, citing declining enrollment. The 1973 building also needed an estimated $7 million to $10 million in plumbing repairs after a 2024 bond package failed. Staley students were rezoned to Griffin, Trent or Hunt middle schools.
Is Frisco ISD enrollment still declining?
Yes. The district has said enrollment has declined since its 2022-23 peak, and KERA reported a drop of about 3,000 students from a peak of about 67,000. District leaders expect continued declines across the region, driven by slower home turnover, lower birth rates and more school options.
Can students from other districts attend Frisco ISD?
Yes. The Access Frisco open-enrollment program allows kindergarten through seventh grade transfers from other districts. In May 2026, it had enrolled 870 students and generated about $8.4 million. Families should check the district's current application windows and grade eligibility for the coming school year.
Sources
- Frisco ISD: 2026-27 budget approval (June 16, 2026)
- Community Impact: Frisco ISD approves pay increases, balanced budget (June 2026)
- Frisco ISD: Bus information and eligibility (July 2024)
- KERA: Frisco ISD enrollment decline (Dec. 2025)
- Wakeland Access: The FISD community says goodbye to Staley Middle School (April 23, 2026)
- Community Impact: Frisco ISD officials consider closing Staley Middle School (March 2025)
