Category Archives: College Readiness

HISD Asian-American College & Career Day scheduled for Nov. 16

What: HISD Asian-American College & Career Day, hosted by the HISD Asian Advisory Committee. Asian-American middle and high school students will hear about career options from prominent, successful Asian-American business representatives and learn what they should be doing to prepare for college. They’ll also learn how to navigate the scholarship and financial aid application process. Middle school students also will get tips on making the transition to high school. Parent sessions about the college preparation process will be offered in English, Mandarin and Vietnamese. Registration is encouraged: www.houstonisd.org/asiancareer.

Who: State Rep. Gene Wu will serve as the keynote speaker. Various other prominent, successful, Asian-American business representatives — including FBI Special Agent Gigi Joyner, US Secret Service Special Agent Kim Smith and KHOU News Anchor and Reporter Lily Jang — will speak.

When: Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, 8 a.m. to noon. Registration and Career Fair begin at 8 a.m. followed by an opening session at 9 a.m. Individual workshop sessions for students and parents begin at 9:30 a.m.

Where: Bellaire High School, 5100 Maple Road, Bellaire, Texas, 77401

Open House to Showcase HISD’s Portfolio of School Choices

Options include magnet programs, Montessori, early colleges and Futures academies

The Houston Independent School District provides families with a vast portfolio of educational programs, and parents and students will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from many of them this weekend.

Representatives from more than 100 schools will be on hand during the HISD School Choice Open House on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Northwest Mall, 9500 Hempstead Highway.

“Our goal is to ensure parents can select the right school to adequately meet their child’s unique needs and talents,” said HISD Assistant Superintendent for School Choice Dave Wheat. “We are committed to providing all students a high-quality education that prepares them to be college-ready, regardless of which program they choose.”

Representatives from HISD’s Magnet programs, Vanguard Magnet programs, Montessori, early colleges, Futures academies and charter schools will be ready to assist parents in making the best school choice for their children. Parents will also have the opportunity to learn more about the online option to submit their applications. Applications for Magnet programs will be accepted from Nov. 4 to Dec. 20, 2013, for guaranteed consideration in the first round.

“At this event, parents will find all the resources and assistance they need to explore their options for the next school year,” Wheat said. “The representatives will be there to assist them with every step of the application.”

HISD’s school choice options are available to all children, including those who live outside HISD.

For more information about the HISD School Choice Open House, contact the Office of School Choice at 713-556-6947.

Attend Texas College Night at Reagan High School Nov. 6

Students can meet with representatives from dozens of state schools to explore their options

Texas has outstanding colleges and universities, and HISD’s 2013 Texas College Night is a great way to narrow down the choices for students and their families. Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis will be the keynote speaker at the event, which takes place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Reagan High School (413 E. 13th St., 77008).

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HISD College Fairs Help Students Make Big Decisions

Whether to stay in state or go out of state for college is a big decision for HISD seniors, and an upcoming college fair may help students and their parents make that important choice. College fairs are a great way to collect information about potential schools – students can meet face to face with college representatives, ask pertinent questions, and even get insider tips on how to get admitted to the school of their choice.

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College Readiness Month Encourages Students to Plan Now for the Future

It doesn’t matter if your child is 4 or 14, it’s never too early to start planning for college.

That’s the message Houston Independent School District College Readiness Manager Yolanda Norman is spreading this October as the district celebrates College Readiness Month.

College Readiness Month is designed to get students thinking about college and prepare them to not just gain admission, but complete a degree and graduate. The goal, Norman said is to get students thinking critically about their future and long-term plans.

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Ivy League Universities Actively Courting HISD Students

HISD is producing some of the brightest students in the nation—and now those students are attracting attention from some of the most prestigious universities in the country.

Two deans and a professor from Yale visited two HISD campuses recently to spread the news that an Ivy League education is well within even the most financially challenged student’s reach—and that they want HISD students in particular.

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