HISD’s School Choice Fair

April 30, 2011

Just a Few of the Quality Program Options for HISD Students

What are Magnet Programs? Theme- Based Schools of Choice

Charter Schools Our charter schools operate

with the approval of the HISD Board of Education and within the jurisdiction of HISD. Although they are not regulated the same way as the other HISD schools, they are accountable for showing measurable results in return for exemption from many of the restrictions that apply to the traditional public schools. Accountability is the key factor behind the superiority of HISD charter schools to other charter schools.   

What is an Early College Program? The schools are designed so that low-income youth,

first-generation college goers, English language learners, students of color, and other young people underrepresented in higher education can simultaneously earn a high school diploma and an Associate’s degree or up to two years of credit toward a Bachelor’s degree—tuition free.

Early College Programs are not Magnet Programs They are internal Charters

New Same Gender Prep Academies The Houston Independent School

District is currently accepting applications to its new all-boys and all-girls college preparatory academies.

The all-boys school is being modeled after successful male college preparatory academies in Chicago and Harlem .

The all-girls school is being developed in partnership with the Foundation for the Education of Young Women, which has five other campuses for young-women in Texas.

Both schools are slated to open in the fall of 2011. Please note that they will only be accepting applications from students entering the sixth and ninth grades this fall.

Pre-school Programs HISD’s Pre-K

programs positively affect and nurture the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical needs of young learners. Please explore this Web site to find out more about the district’s offerings, including tuiton-based options, to help your child “get a jump on success!”

Get a Jump on Success!

Application Process Many programs have

different applications, which can be very confusing to parents wishing to apply.

We’ll start with a few tips on how to make this process a smooth and enjoyable one!

Learn About The Programs There are many fantastic program

options for your child or children, so learn about each program your child might be interested in attending.

Finding the best fit for your child is key to his or her success.

Application Process We will use the

Magnet application as an example.

Though many of the applications for programs are slightly different, there are many common pieces.

Please read all application requirements carefully.

Important Details

Be sure you turn in copies of everything listed in this section. Write the name of the school to which you are applying. It is the parents’ responsibility to submit all the correct

information.

Deadlines

We are in Phase II, which ends at the end of the school year.

Applications in Phase II are processed in the order received until all the spaces in the program are full.

Turn in your applications to your preferred programs as soon as possible.

Ignore the deadlines on the application at this point.

Special Focus Areas

Please complete all areas that apply to you. Elementary, Middle, and High School Magnet Applications all have sections for certain focus areas such as Fine Arts.

Submitting to More Than One Program HISD encourages

students and parents to carefully explore all their program choices.

Please apply to as many programs as you like.

Please choose carefully, as once you commit to a program, you are committing to a one year transfer to that school.

What Happens Next After submitting your

application by postal service or in person with all the documents needed, you will be contacted by the school to schedule any needed testing.

You will be contacted if space is available in the program.

Remember that applications are answered in the order they are received.

Please contact the individual schools with questions about the program or the status of your application.

Learn More About School Choice Vanguard (G/T)

information will be presented at 9:30 AM in Room _____

AP/IB Information will be presented _______

Visit Elementary programs

in Room____ Middle School

programs ____ High School Programs

_______

Ask us about our programs!

Equity in Access to Educational Choices in

Houston Independent School District