Apply now for HISD pre-K programs for 2020-2021

School Choice Fair scheduled for Feb. 15 at Northside HS 

To enroll students in any HISD pre-K program for 3- and 4-year-olds for the 2020-2021 school year, parents will need to submit an application by Feb. 28, 2020 for Phase 1. Parents can also apply in-person at campuses. 

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For more information, HISD is holding a School Choice Fair from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Northside High School for space-available campuses.  

To be eligible for enrollment in HISD non-tuition based full day pre-kindergarten programs, a child must: 

  • Be 4 years of age on or before September 1st of the enrolling school year AND a resident of HISD 

And meet one of the following criteria: 

  • Be unable to speak and comprehend the English language, OR 
  • Be economically disadvantaged (defined below), OR 
  • Meet any eligibility criteria for Head Start, OR 
  • Be homeless, as defined by [42 USC 11434a], OR 
  • Currently be or has ever been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code, OR 
  • Be the child of an active duty member of armed forces or child of an armed forces member injured, killed, or missing in action while on active duty, OR 
  • Be the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award as a peace officer as defined in Section 3106.002, a firefighter as defined in Section 3106.003, or an emergency medical first responder as defined in Section 3106.004 

Make sure you have the following documents to apply: 

  • Child’s official birth certificate  
  • Child’s immunization record 
  • Proof of address (utility bill) 
  • Proof of income (current pay stub) 
  • Photocopy of parent ID 

Steps to enroll (PreK 3 and PreK 4) are as follows: 

Step 1 

  • Review the information and links at ChooseHISD.com – including the section on Pre-K.  
  • Consider how you will rank your choices, from most desired to least desired. Families can select up to 10 school programs, with a maximum of five magnet programs. 

Step 2 

  • Visit ChooseHISD.com to apply online.  
  • If you have used the system before, please use your previous account. 
  • Paper applications are available online, at any school, or from the Office of School Choice (Online applications provide more options for tracking and staying up to date). 
  • Make sure to sign and submit your applications. 

Step 3 

  • For elementary and middle school Magnet programs, only Vanguard applications may require documentation. All Program Choice applications will require documentation. 
  • Please be on the lookout for emails or phone calls related to your application. 

Step 4 

  • By midnight on May 1, 2020, notification of acceptance for Phase 1 TEA eligible PK4 applicants. Status will be viewable online, and letters will be sent to all parents via USPS mail. 
  • May 15, 2020 deadline to accept Phase 1TEA eligible PK4. 
  • June 1, 2020, TEA non-eligible PK4 (tuition-based) and TEA eligiblePK3 applicants will be considered on a space available basis. 

Step 5 

  • If your student has been offered a seat in a program, you have two weeks to provide proof of residence and sign an entrance agreement. 
  • If your student was not offered a seat on May 1, 2020, but has been placed on a wait list, stay alert for changes in application status. You may be able to submit additional applications to programs with more room. 

Here is the timeline for 2020-2021 school year pre-K applications: 

  • Phase 1 (Sept. 27 – Feb. 28, 2020) Qualified in-district, TEA Eligible applications received during this phase will be entered into lotteries. A centralized lottery will be conducted for traditional and Magnet pre-K programs that have more eligible pre-K applicants than space available.  
  • Phase 2 (Feb. 29 – onward) Qualified in-district, TEA Eligible applications will be considered on a space available basis.  
  • Phase 3 (June 1, 2020 – onward) TEA Non-Eligible (tuition-based) PK 4 and TEA Eligible PK 3 applications will be considered on a space available basis. 

Learn more about the pre-K enrollment process through our online FAQs.