See which Houston-area private schools showed the highest rates in vaccine exemptions in 2018-19

>>> See which schools recorded the highest percentage of students who requested a vaccine exemption >>> See which schools recorded the highest percentage of students who requested a vaccine exemption Photo: Mel Melcon / TNS Photo: Mel Melcon / TNS Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close See which Houston-area private schools showed the highest rates in vaccine exemptions in 2018-19 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

Another school year, and another increase in the number of Texans who requested non-medical vaccine exemptions for their children.

The Houston Chronicle previously reported a 14 percent increase in the number of "conscientious exemptions" from the 2017-18 school year to 2018-19, according to data from the Texas Department of Health Services.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Despite measles outbreak, Texas vaccine exemptions up again

This year, eight private schools in the Houston area recorded exemption rates higher than 10 percent, the data shows. Among the 15 schools with the highest exemption rates, at least seven showed an increase compared to the 2017-18 year.

At least four schools recorded lower numbers compared to 2017-18, while another four schools weren't included in the 2017-18 data set.

The data did not list individual public schools — only districts, which recorded far lower percentages of students who requested conscientious exemptions. For example, the district with the highest rate this year, Huffman ISD, reported 2.86 percent of students who request exemptions.

The districts also have considerably higher enrollment number.

Since 2003, Texas law has allowed exemptions from immunizations for "reasons of conscience," including religious beliefs. Public health officials have long been maddened by the 15-year-long trend of increasing exemptions, especially as preventable diseases like measles crop up in higher numbers across the country.

"We want for everyone to be healthy, but if you're choosing [an exemption] because of your religion I want for you to support your religion," said Patty Sobelman, the head of Pines Montessori School, which saw an increase in the number of exemptions this year." ... If you're choosing this because of another [non-medical] reason, then the state of Texas allows you to have that choice."

>>> Click through the slideshow above to see the 15 schools with the highest vaccine exemption rates in the Houston area

Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.