Houston ISD is opening its school choice application window earlier than previous years but with a shorter deadline as well.

The school choice application opens Sept. 19, allowing parents to apply for a spot in one of the district's 112 magnet school programs as well as transfers to any campus within the district. For Phase 1 consideration, applications must be submitted by Nov. 6, about a month earlier than the 2019 schedule.

HISD magnet schools offer programs ranging from college and career preparation to fine arts, International Baccalaureate, language immersion, Vanguard/gifted and talented, and STEM. Some programs have prequalification exams, portfolios or other entrance criteria.

The district’s first of five school choice fairs will be held virtually this year via Microsoft Teams from 9 a.m.-noon on the following dates: Sept. 19, Oct. 3, Oct. 17, Oct. 31 and Feb. 13.

Campus tours will be offered weekly on Thursdays with elementary and K-8 campuses beginning at 9 a.m. and middle and high schools starting at 1 p.m.


Information on accessing the fairs and the application forms can be found at www.choosehisd.com.