Tag Archives: vanguard

HISD 2024-2025 School Choice application now open; See timeline and dates

HISD’s Department of School Choice has announced key dates for families interested in participating in the school choice process and enrolling their scholars in magnet or alternative schools.

The process has been updated based on feedback that the District received from families with the intention of simplifying and streamlining the school choice process. HISD will condense the application and enrollment timeline in order to notify families about their options earlier.

Phase One Application is now open through Feb. 23, 2024. Click here to apply.

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HISD celebrates Gifted and Talented Awareness Week, April 4-8

The Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented has designated April 4-8 as Gifted and Talented Awareness Week to encourage support for gifted education in Texas.

HISD is celebrating by highlighting how the Gifted and Talented programs are benefiting some of the district’s more than 29,000 G/T students.

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Gifted and Talented parent information sessions

Is your child Gifted and Talented? And if so, where should you send them to school?

HISD’s Advanced Academics department is offering two parent-information sessions on Gifted and Talented, often referred to as simply G/T, at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support, 4400 W. 18th Street, 77092, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, and Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016.

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Vanguard magnet programs challenge students with rigorous courses

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In the Vanguard magnet program at Black Middle School, students are taking advanced courses such as biology, geometry, and creative writing. They’re working on their own experiments, researching history on a local and national scale, and even writing their first novels.

“Our students are taking high-school level courses in the seventh and eighth grades,” said Katelyn Riley, the school’s Vanguard coordinator. “Our sixth-graders are learning seventh-grade math, and we have students taking geometry and biology as eighth-graders.” Continue reading →

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.

HISD Introduces New Online Magnet Application Option to Parents

Six parent orientation sessions scheduled to familiarize parents with school choice options and new online system

The Houston Independent School Districts is launching a new online application system for parents and students wanting to attend any of the district’s 115 magnet programs. While paper applications will still be accepted, HISD is hosting a series of orientation sessions to familiarize parents with the new online option and outline the multitude of school choices available.  The first session will be on Tuesday, September 17 at 6 p.m. at Burbank Middle School, 315 Berry.

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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.

Ryan Middle School Plan Approved By Board

Ryan students will move to nearby Cullen; Vote postponed on plan to merge Sterling and Jones high schools 

The HISD Board of Education on Thursday approved a transition plan that will allow historic Ryan Middle School to be repurposed as a magnet school designed to attract students from throughout the city.

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Magnet Awareness Week is Right Around the Corner

Campus tours, open house, school choice fairs planned to help parents get in-depth look at various programs

 

In observance of HISD’s Magnet Awareness Week (Nov. 5-9), the district is hosting two events for parents and students who wish to learn more about the district’s Magnet programs.

The first, a Magnet Open House, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St, 77092). Representatives from dozens of magnet campuses will be on hand to describe their programs and answer any questions. Applications will be available and will be accepted from Nov. 5 through Jan. 11, 2013. Applications received after Jan.11 will be considered but on a space-available basis. The Magnet Department will notify parents of decisions via mail on March 22, 2013. Parents must notify their school of choice of intent to attend by April 5, 2013.

“Our students and parents have amazing options when it comes to choosing a school for their elementary, middle, and high school children,” said Assistant Superintendent of School Choice Dave Wheat. “The amazing thing about this event is that all 113 of our magnet schools are here today, along with other schools of choice. They will be answering questions, providing information, and inviting parents to tour their schools.”

Schools with Magnet programs will also offer tours of their campuses during Magnet Awareness Week starting at 1 p.m. each day from Monday, Nov. 5, through Friday, Nov. 9. After November 9, parents should phone individual schools for a schedule of tours and other events that will be conducted through early January.

Visit the Magnet Department website for more information about Magnet schools, applications, locations, and contact information. Click here (.pdf) for Magnet school application process dates and deadlines, and here for a map of all HISD Magnet schools and programs.

The Office of School Choice also coordinates “School Choice Fairs” throughout the district. These events provide parents and students with information on HISD Magnet programs.

Elementary School Recruitment Middle School Recruitment
November 3: Magnet Open House at Hattie Mae White; 4400 West 18th St. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. October 25: at Lanier MS-2600 Woodhead 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
November 12: Pugh ES; 1147 Kress 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. October 30: Pin Oak MS; 4601 Glenmont St. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
November 27: Berry ES; 2310 Berry 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. November 1: T.H. Rogers MS; 5840 San Felipe St. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
November 28: Elrod ES; 6230 Dumfries 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. November 3: Magnet Open House at Hattie Mae White; 4400 West 18th St. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
December 3: Crespo ES; 7500 Office City 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  November 13th: Dowling MS – 14000 Stancliff St.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
December 4: Law ES; 12401 South Coast 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. November 15: Ortiz MS; 6767 Telephone Rd. 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
April 27: School Choice Fair at Hattie Mae White; 4400 West 18th St. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. April 27: School Choice Fair at Hattie Mae White; 4400 West 18th St. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Please visit Office of School Choice website for more information.