Key Dates
Magnet Calendar
Key Application Dates for the 2026-2027 Academic Year
HISD school choice applications will be available online for parents on December 9, 2025:
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Phase One School Choice Application Opens | December 9, 2025 |
| Phase One School Choice Application is Due | February 27, 2026 |
| School Choice Lottery Notification Date | April 8, 2026 |
| Phase Two School Choice Application Opens | April 8, 2026 |
| Phase One School Choice Acceptance Deadline | April 21, 2026 |
| Phase Two School Choice Acceptance Deadline | Five Calendar Days From Offer Date |
| Phase Two School Choice Application Closes | One Week Before School Opens |
All applications should be submitted online through the School Choice Application Platform.
Note: All K to 12th grade students should apply during Phase 1 of the application timeline. This includes out of district and/or students new to the district, as all applicants will be considered for the Phase 1 lottery.
Phase I: Lottery – Parents rank options and apply. HISD runs a lottery to determine which students get a seat. Students who do not receive a seat are waitlisted at all schools ranked higher than the one where the seat was offered.
Phase II: Space Available - Parents who apply will be added to existing waitlists established during Phase I or will be offered seats at campuses where there is space available. Students may still be offered a seat at a campus if space opens until the end of Phase 2. At the end of this phase, waitlists are retired. Current HISD students can no longer apply once this phase closes.
For assistance or additional information, please contact School Choice at schoolchoice@houstonisd.org