1. Houston Independent School District
OFFICE OF SCHOOL CHOICE
Equity in Access to
Quality Educational
Programs

2. Quality School Choice Options
Middle College High Schools
HISD is a district of choice with many school options for children
. . . in Neighborhood Schools

3. Neighborhood Schools
Where you are zoned to attend based on your address
No need to apply
Attend with students in your neighborhood
Close knit parent groups
Transportation provided based on distance between home address and school
Comprehensive programs
Core subjects
Variety of Electives
Fine Arts & Athletics
Special programs
Second language learners
Special needs

4. What are HISD Charter Schools?
Schools with a charter (contract) with the state to run a school using state funds to operate
Some charters have connected with HISD
They operate with the approval of the HISD Board of Education and within the jurisdiction of HISD.
Not regulated the same way as the other HISD schools.
Held accountable for academic achievement but exempted from many of the restrictions that apply to the traditional public schools.   
Some have other goals like fewer dropouts and higher percentage of students going to college.

5. Single Gender Prep Academies
Both the Young Men’s College Prep Academy and the Young Women’s College Prep Academy schools opened in the fall of 2011.
Both schools:
Focus on advanced academics curriculum and college readiness. Offer Pre-AP/AP courses
College Guidance
Leadership Development

6. Pre-Kindergarten Programs
Positively affect and nurture the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical needs of young learners
Not bound by attendance zones
Entrance criteria
Tuition-based options are available
Get a Jump on Success!

7. International Baccalaureate (IB) International Schools
What are Magnet Programs?
Vanguard/GT
International Baccalaureate (IB)
STEM
International Schools
Languages
Fine Arts
College Prep
Montessori

8. Quality Educational Programs
Explore Your Options
HISD encourages students and parents to carefully explore all their program choices.
Choose carefully, as once you commit to a program, you are committing to a one-year transfer to that school.
Guiding Questions for Students:
What do I like to do? Read, dance, explore?
In what subjects am I most interested?
What are my academic goals? College, technical school, work force?
What are my life goals?
Equity in Access to
Quality Educational Programs

9. Important Dates and Deadlines
MAGNET PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE- November 4, 2013
Northwest Mall (9500 Hempstead Highway)
All Schools: 10:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m.
PARENT MAGNET AWARENESS WEEK- November 4-8, Tours for parents available at each Magnet Program daily at 1:00 PM
 MAGNET SCHOOL CAREER DAYS- October through December, 2013
  Magnet high school coordinators make program presentations at all middle schools
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED BEGINNING November 4, 2013
  Applications for all Magnet programs accepted online beginning November 4, 2013
APPLICATION DEADLINE- December 20, 2013
Applications must be entered in online system no later than December 20, 2013 for guaranteed consideration in the first round. Applications entered after December 20th will be accepted on a space-available basis.
 PARENT NOTIFICATION- March 28, 2014
  Application status information sent to parents on March 28, 2014
PARENT RESPONSE DEADLINE- April 11, 2014
Parents must notify Magnet school of choice of student’s “intent to attend” by April 11, 2014

10. How to Apply Online Submitting Applications as a Parent
Create an Account
Agree to Requirements & Policies
Student Information
Family Information
Sibling Information
Recommendations
Signatures
Review and Send
Complete
Parent Dashboard
Submitting a Second Application for a Student
Submitting an Application for a Second Student

11. I’ve Submitted My Application. What Are My Next Steps?
Magnet Application
Step 1 - Gather required documentation
Entering Kinder
Proof of age by 9/1/2014(birth certificate preferred)
Pre-K progress report(if applicable)
Proof of HISD residency is required for all applications
Apartment rent receipt. utility bill, or statement of residence
Entering Grades 1-5
First grading period of current report card
Previous year’s final report card
Entering Secondary (6-12)
Previous year’s Stanford and STAAR scores

12. I’ve Submitted My Application. What Are My Next Steps?
Either hand deliver or mail the required documents from Step 1 to one of the Magnet schools to which you have applied.
If you have applied to one or more Vanguard Magnet schools, your documents must be either hand delivered or mailed to a Vanguard Magnet school from your list.

13. I’ve Submitted My Application. What Are My Next Steps?
Vanguard Magnet Application
Vanguard Entering Kinder
Proof of age 5 by 9/1/2014 (copy of birth certificate preferred)
Test date preferences
Parent Recommendation Form
Proof of HISD residency is required for all applications
Apartment rent receipt. utility bill, or statement of residence

14. I’ve Submitted My Application. What Are My Next Steps?
Vanguard Magnet Application
Vanguard Entering Grades 1-5
1st & 2nd grade applicants - end of semester report card
3rd, 4th, & 5th grade applicants – previous year’s final Report card, May 2013
If G/T identified, attach identification matrix and GT status report
Nationally-normed Achievement Test(Stanford/Aprenda or ITBS(Within the last 12 months)
Naglieri Non-verbal Ability Test-2 (NNAT-2)(current year’s score)
Only one teacher recommendation form may be submitted
Proof of HISD residency is required for all applications
Apartment rent receipt. utility bill, or statement of residence
Any necessary testing will be scheduled by the first choice school

15. I’ve Submitted My Application. What Are My Next Steps?
Vanguard Magnet Application
Vanguard Entering Grades 6-8
Previous year’s final report card, May 2013
Nationally-normed Achievement Test(Stanford/Aprenda or ITBS(Within the last 12 months)
Naglieri Non-verbal Ability Test-2 (NNAT-2)(current year’s score)
If G/T identified, attach identification matrix and GT status report
Only one teacher recommendation form may be submitted per application
Proof of HISD residency is required for all applications
Apartment rent receipt. utility bill, or statement of residence
Any necessary testing will be scheduled by the first choice school

16. I’ve Submitted My Application. What Are My Next Steps?
Vanguard Magnet Application
Carnegie Vanguard High School
Students who are not currently identified as G/T in HISD:
Previous year’s final report card, June 2013
Attached teacher recommendation form in a sealed envelope with signature across seal
Nationally-normed Achievement Test(Stanford/Aprenda or ITBS(Within the last 12 months)
Naglieri Non-verbal Ability Test-2 (NNAT-2)(current year’s score)
If G/T identified, attach identification matrix and GT status report
Proof of HISD residency is required for all applications
Apartment rent receipt. utility bill, or statement of residence
The Carnegie Vanguard Coordinator will contact applicants to schedule any required testing
G/T Identified applicants must attach the following:
HISD G/T Middle School Identification Matrix or G/T profile sheet-may be obtained at the student’s current HISD school
G/T Status Report

17. What Do I Do If I Need Assistance?
Great Choices.
Great Programs.
Great Futures.
Houston Independent School District
Questions? We’re Here to Help.
Office of School Choice
Magnet Office