HISD conducted its annual School Choice Open House on Nov. 2, and thousands of parents and their children attended the event at Northwest Mall to learn more about their options for the coming fall.

Parent Andradie Walker came to the fair with her seven-year-old daughter, who currently attends Benbrook Elementary School. “She really likes to learn, and she’s interested in music, dance, and art,” she said, “so I’m looking to expand her learning experience.” Walker said that she is also very interested in Whidby Elementary, which has a health science magnet program.

“We live in HISD, but (we wanted options other than) the school we’re zoned to,” said parent Brenda Lawson, whose six-year-old son currently attends a Montessori school in Pearland ISD. “When I found out we could choose and go somewhere else, I definitely wanted to check this out. Today, I got to talk to representatives from all the schools who know the areas. This is perfect.”

“I’m looking at three different schools, and they’re all over the place,” said parent Alexandra Smoots-Hogan, who has an eight-year-old and a four-year-old. “(Having this event) is so much easier.”

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If you couldn’t attend the School Choice Open House, don’t worry. There are still a number of events coming up where parents can obtain more information.

• Magnet Awareness Week is Nov. 4–8, when schools with Magnet programs offer daily tours for interested parents. Most tours are held starting at 1 p.m. each day, but some campuses also offer morning sessions at 9 a.m. Parents can also call individual schools after Nov. 8 for a schedule of tours and other events.

• School Choice Fairs: Parents of children who will be transitioning from elementary to middle school or from middle to high school can learn more about their options at a number of special, campus-based school choice fairs through mid-November. A full schedule is available here.