Category Archives: Magnet/School Choice

It’s decision time for students: magnet admission status letters go out March 22

 

Lovett Elementary

Lovett Elementary is in the top three of elementary magnet schools with applications received.

Starting March 25, parents will have two weeks to let schools know where they want to send their children this fall.

Letters notifying parents of their children’s magnet application status will be mailed out starting Friday, March 22, and students who are “accepted” must indicate that they will attend their school of choice during the 2013–2014 school year by signing and returning the enclosed Student Entrance Agreement no later than Friday, April 5 (postmarked). Continue reading →

HISD Seeking Grant for 8 New STEM Magnet Schools

The HISD Board of Education voted Thursday to move forward with a plan to compete for $12 million in federal grant funding to open eight new magnet schools emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) instruction.

The measure passed with a 7-1 vote with Board President Anna Eastman opposed.

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New HISD Magnet Schools Proposal to be Considered

School board to weigh applying for $12 million grant to open eight magnets focused on science, technology, engineering and math

The HISD Board of Education is set to decide this week whether to compete for $12 million in federal funding to open eight new magnet schools emphasizing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) instruction.

All eight new STEM magnets would be whole-school programs, meaning every student in those schools would benefit from an instructional approach that emphasizes a rich STEM curriculum. Current magnet programs at existing schools included in the grant proposal have struggled to draw students and would be replaced with the STEM magnet.  The Board of Education is scheduled to vote Thursday on whether to authorize the grant application. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. on Feb. 14, 2013 in the board auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 West 18th Street).

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HISD to Offer One-Stop Shop for all Magnet 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.

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What’s New at HISD for the 2012-2013 School Year

About 200,000 Houston Independent School District students are expected to return to school for the first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 27.  Students from five middle schools and four high schools in the district’s Apollo 20 school turnaround program will get a one-week head start on Aug. 20 when their school year begins.

The 2012-2013 school year brings many exciting improvements to Houston schools as HISD continues its work to offer a consistently rigorous education in a safe learning environment at all 279 campuses.

 New Schools

Four new school buildings funded by the 2007 voter-approved bond program will open on the first day of school. 

  • Carnegie Vanguard High School– (1101 Taft) – The Carnegie Vanguard Magnet program serves students who have been identified as gifted and talented in intellectual ability. In 2002, the Vanguard school moved to the former Carnegie Elementary campus which was originally built in 1963. The new building is located adjacent to the Gregory-Lincoln Education Center. 
  • Billy Reagan K-8 Education Center-(4842 Anderson Road) – The school will offer a two-way dual English and Spanish language program to its kindergarten class in an effort to develop full bilingualism and bi-literacy for all students.  The center will implement this program in one of the kindergarten classes during the 2012-2013 academic year and will add one grade per year until there is a complete two-way dual language program in grades K-8.
  • Lockhart Elementary School – (3501 Southmore) – The replacement school will now serve pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.  Students from the former Lockhart and Turner Elementary schools will attend the new campus. 
  • Neff Elementary School – (8301 Neff Street) – The replacement campus will serve students in grades 2-5.  The former Neff campus is being converted into an early childhood campus for students in pre-kindergarten through first grade.

New Programs

 Mandarin Chinese Language Immersion Magnet School – (6300 Avenue B, Bellaire) This is HISD’s first Mandarin Chinese language immersion school. The school will initially serve students in kindergarten through second grade, with additional grades to be added in subsequent years. Core subjects including language arts, math, science, and social studies will be taught primarily in Mandarin Chinese with a certain amount of English language development instruction incorporated each day.

 

Houston Innovative Learning Zone program- Students at six HISD campuses (Furr, Kashmere, Scarborough, Sterling, and Booker T. Washington high schools and Long middle school) will have the chance to earn associate’s degrees and career training in high-demand technical fields.  The HILZ program was created in partnership with Houston Community College. In addition to taking the standard core credits required of all high school students, HILZ students will take courses taught by college professors using a blend of face-to-face and online instruction. In addition, credits earned by HILZ graduates will transfer to any public Texas university.

More Tools for Principals and Teachers

 Curriculum Changes- HISD has a new and improved curriculum designed with the input of thousands of teachers. The new curriculum is aligned with state and national standards and will prepare students for the rigor of STAAR and other standardized tests.  The new curriculum also places an emphasis on every child reading at or above grade level.

  • New literacy plan- The new literacy plan serves as a guide for teachers and leaders as they prepare students to be proficient readers, independent thinkers, and effective communicators. The plan is called CLASS (Curriculum and instruction, Leadership, Assessment, Support for families and communities, and Sustainability).
  • Revamped K-5 English Language Arts curriculum: The curriculum was designed in partnership with teachers and training provided by the Neuhaus Education Center.   Teachers at all grade levels have received Neuhaus training on literacy intervention strategies.  In the 2012-2013 school year, sixth and ninth- grade students who are reading below grade level will receive an extra daily class period of reading instruction using a specially designed curriculum from Neuhaus.

 

  • Continuing Leadership Training for Principals:  HISD has formed new partnerships with Rice University, the University of Texas, and St. Thomas University to help develop skills of current principals and to help train new talent. New and aspiring principals can attend an intensive four-week Emerging Leaders Institute.  Ongoing monthly training is available for first-and second-year principals and assistant principals.  There are also six new courses for principals related to decision-making in the area of staffing.

 Bond Election Proposal in November

Houston voters will decide in November whether to approve a proposition to build modern high schools in neighborhoods across Houston, and improve safety and technology district-wide. The $1.89 billion plan would address facility needs in 38 schools. For a complete overview of the proposal and the schools that would be rebuilt or renovated, click here.

Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy Awarded $31,000 Grant for School Uniforms

The Moody Foundation has awarded HISD’s Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy a $31,000 grant to purchase school uniforms for the 2012-2013 school year.  Nearly 80 percent of YMCPA students are from low-income families, and many students and parents cannot afford the uniforms which consist of blazers, slacks, and ties. Since state and federal guidelines prevent the academy from paying for uniforms, the school relies primarily on partner organizations for financial support.    

The HISD Board of Education is expected to accept the grant during the board’s regular meeting on Thursday, June 14. 

Principal Dameion J. Crook says the school uniform project has helped inspire student confidence and has helped nurture both the intellectual and social development necessary for his students to graduate college and become successful leaders. 

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Rusk School wins $25,000 in State Farm contest

Coming on the heels of a $25,000 grant from Devon Energy, The Rusk School received another hefty check for its science efforts last week.

State Farm presented the school with $25,000 from its “Cause An Effect” program, an online contest that generates votes for local causes through social media. The school was chosen for its geodesic dome solar-powered greenhouse.

State Farm presented a $25,000 check to The Rusk School for its geodesic dome solar-powered greenhouse.

It’s a project that middle school math teacher Brenda Boyer said is rooted in community service. Boyer said the students will use the dome to grow organic food to donate to the Star of Hope homeless shelter and a local food bank.

“This project will allow our students to help others in the community in a positive way. The dome will also be utilized as a science lab for all our Pre-K through eighth-grade students,” Boyer said.

A State Farm student panel chose 100 finalists from a field of 3,000 entries, then voters on State Farm’s Facebook page chose the top 40.

Students and Parents Discover Quality School Choices at Fair

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.”

Missed the School Choice Fair? See photos from the event

HISD held its second annual School Choice Fair on Saturday, April 28, at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. The event showcased up to 85 schools, including magnet, early college, multilingual programs, charters, early childhood centers, and dual language.

See scenes from HISD’s School Choice Fair below.

[slideshow]

“Exciting Time for HISD Students”: Magnet Letters to Arrive Starting March 26

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)