K-12 Application Dates & Process

Phase I: Lottery-Based Selection

Phase I is the primary window for all applicants.

• Rank Your Preferences: You may apply for up to 10 schools or programs. You must rank them in order of preference of true interest (1st = most desired school).
• Eligibility Check: Applications are reviewed to ensure students meet any specific program requirements. For more information regarding eligibility, click here
• The Lottery: Once the Phase I window closes, applications can no longer be edited. All eligible applications are entered into a lottery to determine seat placements.
• Waitlists: Eligible students who are not offered a seat during the lottery are automatically placed on a waitlist for those schools.

Note: If you apply during Phase I, you do not need to re-apply during Phase II.

Phase II: Seat Availability

Phase II is for families who missed the initial window or are new to the district.

• First-Come, First-Served Basis: Unlike the Phase I lottery, Phase II offers are based strictly on remaining seat availability.
• Waitlist Continuity: If a school already has a waitlist from Phase I, that waitlist carries over. Phase II applicants will be added to the end of the existing Phase I waitlist.
• Application Limits & Duplicate Entries: * You may apply for up to 10 schools or programs.
  • Important: A student can only be on a specific school’s waitlist once. If you are already waitlisted for a school from Phase I, the system will not allow you to apply for that same school again in Phase II. You cannot "re-enter the line" to get a different spot.
• Closing Windows: 
  • Current/Returning Students: Phase II closes one week before the first day of school.
  • Students New to the District: Phase II remains open to accommodate families moving into the area.

Important: Application Status for Returning Students

To ensure schools can finalize their classroom rosters, there is a final cutoff for enrollment offers.

• Deadline: If a current or returning student has not received an offer by one week before the first day of school, their application will be retired.
• What this means: One week before the first day of school is the final day a returning student can receive a seat offer. After this time, the application process for the current cycle concludes for these students.

• Parents should rank in order of preference. You have the same chance to get into a school whether you rank it first or last in your rank link. Note, if you are offered placement from the lottery, lower ranked selections will no longer be available on your waitlist. If you are still interested in those selections, you must submit a Phase II application. 
• Parents should apply in Phase I for the best chance of getting a seat at one of their top ten schools.
• Parents do NOT increase their chances of getting into a particular school by applying to fewer schools. Using all 10 options does not hurt your chances.
• Parents do NOT lose their student’s current seat simply by applying to School Choice. Parents give up their child's current seat only when they accept a new one. Parents have this option after receiving the lottery results. 

How To Apply Flyer

Wharton and Helms have been designated Separate and Unique (SUS) magnet schools, per the board in 2024. Please review the application & enrollment process for the 2026-2027 school year:

• Current Pre-K–4th grade students currently enrolled at Wharton or Helms will automatically move to the next grade level. No reapplication is needed.
• Wharton 5th grade students will need to reapply to the 6th-grade lottery due to limited seats. Current Wharton 5th graders will receive priority in the 6th-grade lottery.
• All prospective students, including families zoned to Wharton or Helms, must apply through the K–12 School Choice lottery (open Dec. 9–Feb. 27). Zoned students receive priority, and 25% of seats are reserved for zoned applicants with siblings.
• Zoned families seeking an English-only option or students who reside within the former attendance boundaries who do not receive a seat in the lottery may request a special transfer through the School Choice website beginning April 8th.

For questions or support, please contact School Choice at schoolchoice@houstonisd.org.

For the upcoming school year, a School Choice application is required for students who meet any of the criteria below:

• Students who wish to attend a school other than their zoned school. This includes students enrolling from private, charter, homeschool or out-of-district schools as well as those not enrolled in HISD prior to November 9, 2025. 
• Students in grades 6-12, who wish to participate in a HISD Magnet program, even if you are zoned to that school. 
• Currently enrolled Pre-K students entering Kindergarten who do not plan to attend their zoned neighborhood school.
• Current 5th-grade students at the following campuses who wish to remain for 6th grade:  Baker, Garden Oaks, Pilgrim and Wharton. 
• Current 8th-grade students at Long Academy who would like to remain at Long Academy for 9th grade.

Families are encouraged to review all available program options and submit applications during the designated application window.

Families may apply for a Specialized Transfer (Hardship) to another school due to extenuating circumstances. Specialized Transfers are only available during Phase II. Specialized Transfers are not available for Separate and Unique Schools. To learn more about SUS, click here

For information regarding qualifications, click here