The Houston Independent School District (HISD) has launched a student travel program, known as Dyad, which offers students the opportunity to travel to international locations, including Panama and Costa Rica. The program, launched by State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles in 2023, provides community members the chance to teach classes in subjects such as photography, gardening, or fitness at 116 NES elementary and middle schools.
Program Benefits and Eligibility
The Dyad program offers eighth-grade students the chance to attend a domestic trip to a U.S. city for three days or an international trip for five days. Students in Panama will visit Metropolitan Natural Park, the Biomuseo museum, a pineapple farm, Casco Viejo, Panama City’s historic district, and other attractions. The international trips will begin on May 24, with three separate waves of travel through June 1. In Costa Rica, students will visit a market in San José, the country’s capital; Sarchí, a center for arts and crafts; Jauri Tropical Farm, a family-owned farm in the Costa Rican rainforest; and a boat trip on Río Frío to observe exotic wildlife.
Travel Itineraries
| Destination | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | 5 days | $2,500 |
| Panama | 5 days | $2,500 |
| Boston | 5-6 days | $2,000 |
| D.C. | 5 days | $3,000 |
Registration and Eligibility Requirements
Students attending at least 92% of school days, avoiding out-of-school suspensions, and obtaining a passport to travel internationally are eligible to participate in the program. Parents or guardians must also complete the required registration and paperwork.
Safety Concerns and Support
The district has taken steps to address safety concerns related to immigration enforcement. According to the district, students will be traveling with trusted and reliable student travel agencies, and each group will be booked on a group ticket that will allow them to check in to flights at the same time. Additionally, students will be accompanied by campus-based and district-based chaperones, as well as travel agency team members.
Quotes from Experts
“Districts should not be panicking. They should be safe and careful, but continuing to have programs like this makes really good sense,” said Krystal Gómez, managing attorney with the Texas Immigration Law Council. “HISD and our travel agencies are in constant communication, and we will always make decisions with the most accurate information we have and with student safety first and foremost,” said Lana Hill, HISD’s director of communications.
Program Overview
The Dyad program aims to provide students with an incredible chance to travel, explore historic landmarks, and experience history and culture firsthand. The program has been launched by HISD in response to a similar program at the former charter school network, Third Future Schools, which was launched by Superintendent Mike Miles in 2023.
Previous Travel Plans
The district had previously budgeted up to $3,000 per eighth grader and up to $2,500 per seventh grader for all travel expenses. The cost of the travel is expected to be supported by a combination of philanthropic and federal grant dollars.
Immigration Enforcement Concerns
Krystal Gómez, managing attorney with the Texas Immigration Law Council, said that the planned trips come as President Donald Trump’s administration has begun a nationwide crackdown on immigrants, including efforts to detain or deport an unknown number of lawful permanent residents with no reported criminal history. However, she said that HISD students will “very, very likely” be fine if they are attending the trip, and that districts should not be panicking.
Conclusion
The Dyad travel program offers students the opportunity to travel to international locations and experience history and culture firsthand. While there are concerns related to immigration enforcement, the district has taken steps to address these concerns and ensure student safety. The program aims to provide students with an incredible chance to learn and grow, and it is expected to be a valuable resource for the HISD community.
