Acton Academy Kingwood—a Montessori-inspired private school—will be opening a new middle school in Porter, owner Cameo Van Duker said.

Explained: The new school is expected to open in August. The middle school offerings will be available on the same campus as the existing school. The school currently serves students in grades pre-K 4-8, but the school will have enough students aging up in the next year to launch an official middle school.

Acton Academy Kingwood is a learner-driven school, Van Duker said. According to the school’s website, the curriculum focuses on:

• Self-paced learning of reading, writing and math skills
• Discussions on heroes, history and self-governance
• Problem-solving and hands-on learning projects
• Interpersonal and community bonding

• 23979 Wildwood Road, Porter

Lone Star College-Kingwood will host a series of free workshops in January to help participants hone their digital skills, college officials announced in a Dec. 3 news release.

Some context: Per the release, the workshops are being offered through a partnership with Connected Nation, a nonprofit that provides innovative solutions to expand access to high-speed internet and related technologies.

What you need to know: According to the release, classes for English speakers will be held at LSC-Kingwood CLA Room 104 on Jan. 29-30 and at LSC-Atascocita Center Room 211 on Jan. 15-16. Classes for Spanish speakers will be held at LSC-East Aldine Center Room 109 on Jan. 13-14. 

Quote of note: "Not only are we focusing on how to navigate the internet while protecting a person's privacy, but we're also providing courses for people who want to learn the basics about using a computer, a mobile device or the internet," said Pat Chandler, director of continuing education for LSC-Kingwood, in a statement.

The Montgomery County Memorial Library System announced a new systemwide program, Innovate@MCMLS, intended to engage community members with technological and creative tools, according to a Dec. 3 news release.

The details: The initiative will begin in January at the Kevin Brady Library and Community Center in The Woodlands and will promote and provide information, education, culture and innovation opportunities for Montgomery County residents, according to the release. ​​​​

The specifics: The library will add an innovation space that will include a professional podcast studio with audio and video production capabilities as well as a makerspace with fabrication tools, 3D modular printers and scanners and other equipment, according to the news release.

Remember this: The Kevin Brady Library and Community Center officially opened on Sept. 2 at 2250 Buckthorne Place, The Woodlands. The center is named for Kevin Brady, who represented Texas' 8th Congressional District from 1997 until 2023, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.
 

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from last week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from Dec. 1-5.

Activities to do: There are several options to see Christmas lights around the Tomball and Magnolia area, including Magnolia Musical Christmas, Gullo House Christmas Lights and Tomball Methodist Church’s Trail of Lights. 

At a glance: In a Dec. 2 news conference, officials with Airbnb announced that Houston will receive a $1 million investment that will go toward supporting major community initiatives, expanding green infrastructure and increasing youth access to soccer. Airbnb was selected in June to serve as an official partner for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Community Impact previously reported. 

One more thing: Whataburger officials celebrated a Dec. 1 opening of their new location at 15940 Woodland Hills Drive, Humble. The eatery features a double drive-thru, dining room and digital menu boards, according to a Nov. 28 news release. 

The Texas comptroller’s office has released a set of rules to govern the state’s $1 billion education savings account program, or ESAs. Accepted families will receive thousands of dollars in state funds to send their children to a private school or homeschool them.

The overview: Accredited private schools and education vendors can begin applying to join the program as soon as Dec. 9, and applications will open for interested families Feb. 4.

Most families accepted into the program will receive about $10,300 per student, which can be spent on tuition at accredited private prekindergarten or K-12 schools and related expenses. Homeschooled students will receive up to $2,000 per year, while students with disabilities will be eligible for up to $30,000 annually.

Zooming in: Depending on a family’s income, students with disabilities may receive priority acceptance into the ESA program. Families can submit documentation from a physician or the U.S. Social Security Administration to be prioritized, although a detailed evaluation and individualized education plan are required to receive the additional special education funding.