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.”