Parents have until Friday, Dec. 19, to turn in an HISD magnet application for first-round consideration for next school year. The application takes about 10 minutes to complete and can be accessed by visiting HoustonISD.org/SchoolChoice. Continue reading
Crockett ES is not a magnet school for fine arts, but its program is top-notch due in part to art teachers like Geetha Thomas, pictured here with some of her students. Parents are encouraged to check out the offerings at their neighborhood schools first, before shopping for alternatives.
It’s fall in Houston, and that means many HISD parents are already thinking about which campuses to send their children to for the 2015–2016 school year.
But while the attraction of the district’s many magnet programs is undeniable, parents are encouraged to take a closer look at the “zoned” schools located in their neighborhoods, as sometimes a hidden gem can be right around the corner.
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The big day is almost here. HISD is in the final stages of processing nearly 50,000 applications in preparation for magnet notification day on Friday, March 28. The district has received 16,747 more applications this year than last, with the majority of those applications received through the new online application system.
All students who met the qualifications and December deadline will be offered spaces in the order assigned by a computer-generated lottery. The lottery randomly assigns spaces for applicants and their siblings.
Parents who are waiting anxiously to find out which magnet school their child will be attending next year will be notified on March 28 by mail or email, depending on how they filed their application. If they applied online, they will be notified by email on March 28 (after 5 p.m.). If they applied with a paper application, letters reporting the status of their child’s application will be mailed on March 28.
Did you miss the magnet application deadline? Good news: All isn’t lost.
You may still apply to any school you wish, but applications were only guaranteed first-round consideration if they were received before the deadline of Dec. 20, 2013.
It might seem a bit premature to be thinking about the 2014–2015 school year, but parents who want to learn about the vast array of options HISD has to meet the needs, talents, and/or interests of their children should begin the process now.
The district will begin accepting applications for Magnet programs for the coming school year on Mon., Nov. 4, and parents must submit those applications on or before Fri., Dec. 20, 2013, for guaranteed first-round consideration.
To assist families in choosing a school, HISD will be hosting its annual School Choice Open House on Sat., Nov. 2, at Northwest Mall (9500 Hempstead Hwy., 77092). The event will take place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., and representatives from many of HISD’s schools of choice will be on hand to answer questions and offer information about their programs.
Representatives for more than 100 magnet programs will be available on Saturday
With more than 100 Magnet programs available in the Houston Independent School District, parents across the city have many choices when it comes to selecting the best school to meet the needs of their children. Parents and students will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from all 113 magnet programs during the annual Magnet Open House on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St, 77092). Click here for more information about HISD school choice options, including neighborhood schools.
Campus tours, open house, school choice fairs planned to help parents get in-depth look at various programs
In observance of HISD’s Magnet Awareness Week (Nov. 5-9), the district is hosting two events for parents and students who wish to learn more about the district’s Magnet programs.
The first, a Magnet Open House, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St, 77092). Representatives from dozens of magnet campuses will be on hand to describe their programs and answer any questions. Applications will be available and will be accepted from Nov. 5 through Jan. 11, 2013. Applications received after Jan.11 will be considered but on a space-available basis. The Magnet Department will notify parents of decisions via mail on March 22, 2013. Parents must notify their school of choice of intent to attend by April 5, 2013.
“Our students and parents have amazing options when it comes to choosing a school for their elementary, middle, and high school children,” said Assistant Superintendent of School Choice Dave Wheat. “The amazing thing about this event is that all 113 of our magnet schools are here today, along with other schools of choice. They will be answering questions, providing information, and inviting parents to tour their schools.”
Schools with Magnet programs will also offer tours of their campuses during Magnet Awareness Week starting at 1 p.m. each day from Monday, Nov. 5, through Friday, Nov. 9. After November 9, parents should phone individual schools for a schedule of tours and other events that will be conducted through early January.
Visit the Magnet Department website for more information about Magnet schools, applications, locations, and contact information. Click here (.pdf) for Magnet school application process dates and deadlines, and here for a map of all HISD Magnet schools and programs.
The Office of School Choice also coordinates “School Choice Fairs” throughout the district. These events provide parents and students with information on HISD Magnet programs.
| Elementary School Recruitment | Middle School Recruitment |
| November 3: Magnet Open House at Hattie Mae White; 4400 West 18th St. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | October 25: at Lanier MS-2600 Woodhead 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| November 12: Pugh ES; 1147 Kress 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | October 30: Pin Oak MS; 4601 Glenmont St. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| November 27: Berry ES; 2310 Berry 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | November 1: T.H. Rogers MS; 5840 San Felipe St. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| November 28: Elrod ES; 6230 Dumfries 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | November 3: Magnet Open House at Hattie Mae White; 4400 West 18th St. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |
| December 3: Crespo ES; 7500 Office City 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | November 13th: Dowling MS – 14000 Stancliff St. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| December 4: Law ES; 12401 South Coast 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | November 15: Ortiz MS; 6767 Telephone Rd. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
| April 27: School Choice Fair at Hattie Mae White; 4400 West 18th St. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | April 27: School Choice Fair at Hattie Mae White; 4400 West 18th St. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. |
Please visit Office of School Choice website for more information.
Shantra Skipper came to the HISD School Choice Fair on Saturday, April 27 looking for a middle school for her daughter. “She’s always been in a magnet program and I want to make sure I know about all the different options available to her for sixth grade,” said Skipper.
There were plenty of choices for Skipper and her daughter to select from at the second annual fair which was designed to be a one-stop shop for HISD families to get a closer look at the quality programs HISD has to offer. Over 80 schools were on display with programs ranging from pre-k and Montessori to early college and the fine arts.
“It’s great that students and parents can walk around and talk to the magnet coordinator and current students at the schools,” said HISD parent Atria Boxia. “It’s really helpful and I am learning a lot.” Boxia and her daughter got more information about the district’s new Houston Innovative Learning Zones or HILZ academies. The academies, located at six HISD schools, are opening this fall and will offer students training in high demand technical fields and the opportunity to earn an associate’s degree upon graduation.
Also on display at the fair was the district’s new Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet school. The school is opening in the fall and is accepting applications for students in pre-k through the second grade.
“The parents are coming in, they are filling out the applications, and our coordinators are walking them through the process,” said Assistant Superintendent of School Choice Lupita Hinojosa. “We want to ensure that every student finds a quality school choice by August.”
Almost 34,000 students who applied to one of the district’s 115 magnet programs will find out during the week of March 26 whether they have been accepted to the school of their choice. Letters alerting students of their admissions status will be sent out on Friday, March 23, and students and parents can expect to receive their notification letters beginning Monday, March 26.
“This is a very exciting time for HISD students. We want to ensure they get the chance to build up the special knowledge and skills they desire, whether that be Chinese or Spanish language, math and science, dance, or even aviation skills,” said Assistant Superintendent of School Choice Lupita Hinojosa.
Students who are “accepted” must indicate that they will attend the magnet school for the 2012-2013 school year by returning the enclosed signed Student Entrance Agreement no later than April 9th.
Students who have not been immediately accepted will receive a letter stating “waitlisted,” “out of district,” or “not qualified.”
Magnet coordinators will begin making phone calls on April 9 to offer spots to waitlisted students who move up the list if the school has any students who decline to attend.
Selection for out of district students will begin June 6, after all in-district candidates have been accepted.
Students who receive a “Not Qualified” letter for a particular magnet program are invited to attend the Second Annual School Choice Fair on Saturday, April 28, at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center from 9 a.m. – noon to learn about other schools.
“The fair will feature magnet, specialty, and neighborhood schools with space available for more students. Everyone will be able to find a school of choice for the 2012-2013 school year,” said Hinojosa.
• See how many students applied to each magnet school (.pdf)