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School Choice Fair Dates

What can families expect at a School Choice Fair? 

  • Magnet and other select programs are showcased in one place for families to learn about them.
  • Parent information sessions.
  • Computer labs where School Choice staff can provide families with in-person application assistance.
  • Student performances.
  • Personnel from various departments such as Gifted and Talented, Early Childhood, College Career & Military Readiness and more to answer questions and provide assistance. 

 

School Choice Fair Dates:

Date Time Location Address
Nov. 15, 2025 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Northside High School 1101 Quitman St.
Houston, TX 77009
Dec. 13, 2025 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mickey Leland YMCPA 1700 Gregg St.,
Houston, TX 77020
Jan. 10, 2026 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sharpstown High School 7504 Bissonnet St.,
Houston, TX 77074
Feb. 7, 2026 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mandarin Immersion Magnet School 5445 W. Alabama St.,
Houston, TX 77056
April 11, 2026 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Madison High School 13719 White Heather Dr.,
Houston, TX 77045
Pre-K Application Opening January 21st, 2026

To All Families Planning to enroll in Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) in Houston ISD for the 2026-2027 School Year:

What’s Ahead in January:

·        HISD will share information on application close dates and lottery notification dates

·        HISD will share invitations to in-person and virtual application information sessions for Pre-K Families

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

See below for commonly asked questions on the Pre-K Application and lottery process: 

1.    Do I need to re-apply for Pre-K if my 3-year-old is currently enrolled in a HISD Pre-K as a 3-year-old?

No. Students enrolled in Pre-K as a three-year old will be automatically enrolled at the same school as a Pre-K four-year old. These parents do NOT need to submit this application unless they are seeking to change schools.

 

2.    Do I need to apply for kindergarten?

Students will be automatically enrolled in their zoned school for kindergarten. Parents do not need to submit this application if they would like their student to attend this school.

·        Important exception: If your child is in Pre-K 4 at a separate and unique magnet school (Arabic Immersion, Blackshear Montessori, Baker Montessori, Garden Oaks Montessori, Helms Dual Language, Mandarin Chinese Immersion, and Wharton Dual Language), they will automatically be enrolled at that same school for kindergarten. Families do not need to reapply. 

 

3.    For my student enrolling in Pre-K at HISD in their zoned school for the first time next year (must be 3 or 4 before September 1, 2026) who wants to:

Enroll in Their Zoned Pre-K Campus: All students who are starting school in HISD for the first time next year must submit an application to indicate they want to attend their zoned school.

Enroll in a Pre-K Campus Other than their Zoned School: Parents of Pre-K students interested in a Pre-K campus other than their zoned campus must submit this application and rank up to 10 options. Based on space available after zoned students are provided seats and TEA eligibility, a lottery will be held for the remaining seats for eligible families.

 

Ways to Learn More:

If you are interested in learning more about programming in HISD schools, please join us at one of our upcoming School Choice Fairs:

·        January 10th  9am-12pm @ Sharpstown High School, 7504 Bissonnet St., Houston, TX 77074

·        February 7th 9am-12pm @ Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, 5455 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77056

·        April 11th 9am-12pm @ Madison High School, 13719 White Heather Dr., Houston, TX 77045

 

Contact Information:

Please reach out to the School Choice department at schoolchoice@houstonisd.org or 713-556-4393 with any questions.