Tag Archives: school choice

HISD School Choice Fair Offers Parents Opportunity to Explore Education Options for Students

Representatives from more than 70 HISD schools will be on-site

April 25, 2013 – When it comes to selecting a school, parents and students at the Houston Independent School District have a multitude of options from magnet programs to preschool programs to career and technical education academies and early college high schools.  Houston families will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from more than 70 HISD schools at the upcoming HISD School Choice Fair on Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hattie Mae White Education Support Center (4400 West 18th Street).

“In HISD, we are committed to providing equity in access to quality educational programs for all students,” said Assistant Superintendent of School Choice Dave Wheat.  “We want to help families choose an ideal school for their children based on the students’ interests, talents, and needs.”

The schools at the fair are those that still have space for the upcoming 2013-2014 school year.  The representatives from these schools will be available to answer questions, provide detailed information about their campuses and help parents fill out the application on site.

Information will be provided about HISD’s magnet schools, early colleges, vanguard programs for gifted and talented students, preschool programs, multilingual programs and other specialty programs, including the district’s newest additions to its portfolio, the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan and The Energy Institute High School.   Parents and students have until May 16 to apply for these two new magnet schools that will feature a highly rigorous curriculum emphasizing science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

For more information about the School Choice Fair, please contact the Office of School Choice at 713-556-6947.

April 5 Deadline Approaching for Magnet School Entrance Agreements

Students who have been accepted to a magnet school program for the 2013-2014 school year must sign and return the school’s entrance agreement postmarked by this Friday, April 5. On Monday, April 8, school magnet coordinators will begin making phone calls to offer spots to waitlisted students. Student positions on each school’s wait list were determined by a lottery.

Students who are still looking at school options, including waitlisted students, those who have recently moved into the district, students in private or charter schools and students who may want to apply to different types of magnet programs, are invited to attend the third annual Houston ISD School Choice Fair from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, April 27, at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, located at 4400 West 18th Street.
Continue reading →

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 →

“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)