Six parent orientation sessions scheduled to familiarize parents with school choice options and new online system
The Houston Independent School Districts is launching a new online application system for parents and students wanting to attend any of the district’s 115 magnet programs. While paper applications will still be accepted, HISD is hosting a series of orientation sessions to familiarize parents with the new online option and outline the multitude of school choices available. The first session will be on Tuesday, September 17 at 6 p.m. at Burbank Middle School, 315 Berry.
“By making our magnet application, lottery, and parent notification systems available online, we are streamlining the process and making it easier and less time consuming for parents,” Assistant Superintendent of School Choice Dave Wheat said. “We are also ensuring that it is fair and equitable for all of our families regardless of their income, language, or what part of town they live in.”
As part of the new online process, students may apply to a maximum of 10 magnet programs, and of those, as many as five vanguard magnet programs for gifted and talented students. Magnet applications for the 2014-2015 school year will be accepted from Nov. 4 to Dec. 20, 2013 for guaranteed consideration in the first round of applicants.
Parents and students may also attend any of the following school choice orientation sessions from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at five campuses across Houston to learn more about the online option and the new application guidelines:
- Sept. 19 – Madison High School, 13719 Whiteheather
- Sept. 24 – Stevenson Middle School, 9595 Winkler
- Sept. 26 – Revere Middle School, 10502 Briar Forest
- Oct. 1 – Pershing Middle School, 3838 Bluebonnet
- Oct. 3 – Forest Brook Middle School, 7525 Tidwell