APPLYING TO MAGNET PROGRAM

 ➡️ ➡️ Click HERE to access HISD's "How To Apply to a School" PDF.

 

Pin Oak Middle School’s Foreign Language Magnet Program is open to all students residing in HISD. Transportation may be provided to students who meet qualifications.

 

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BOUNDARY OPTION

 

Not only can you apply to Pin Oak via the HISD Foreign Language Magnet Program, but those students who are eligible for a Boundary Option spot (because they reside in the zones for one of Jane Long Academy, Meyerland PVA Middle School, or Pershing Middle School) may apply for the Boundary Option lottery. The only thing needed to qualify you for this program is your home address. As long as your primary residence is zoned to one of the above-listed schools, you will be considered in a lottery for our Boundary Option. 

 

Students who qualify for inclusion in the Boundary Option lottery simply complete the Magnet Program application at hisdchoice.com to be considered. There is no separate application for Boundary Option.

 

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HISD SCHOOL CHOICE APPLICATION

 

Applications may be submitted online at hisdchoice.com. You may apply to a total of five (5) Magnet Programs in HISD. Please contact the Pin Oak Middle School front office at (713) 295-6500 if you are unable to apply online and need a paper application. 

 

Applicants who attended 4th grade in a Houston ISD school and currently attend 5th grade in a Houston ISD school do not need to provide grades and test scores. This information is already in the system for HISD students. For those applying from outside of Houston ISD, you can upload your grades and test results during the application process. Once your child has been accepted, some information may be requested to ensure proper class placement. 

 

All applicants will be placed into the lottery. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application in February 2022.  

 

Please visit the HISD Office of School Choice website for additional application information: https://www.houstonisd.org/schoolchoice.

 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 (FAQ Printable PDF)

 

Q. How do I apply to Pin Oak Middle School?

A. You may apply online at hisdchoice.com.

 

Q. When can I apply to Pin Oak Middle School?

A. The Phase 1 application window is from Friday, September 10, 2021 to Thursday, November 11, 2021. All qualified applications submitted during Phase 1 will be entered into the lottery.

 

Q. I live near Pin Oak. Can I just come by and register my child?

A. Pin Oak is an application only school. We encourage every child who is interested in our school to apply. We have a Magnet Program for Languages Other than English (LOTE) and a "Boundary Option" program.

 

Q. What does "Boundary Option" mean, and can my child apply for it?

A. Students who are zoned to Jane Long Academy, Meyerland PVA Middle School, or Pershing Middle School are eligible to apply to Pin Oak as a "Boundary Option" student. Due to the high volume of Boundary Option applicants, Pin Oak uses the lottery system to award acceptance.

 

Q. If my student qualifies for the Boundary Option, can they also apply to the Magnet Program?

A. Applicants who live in the boundary zone for Jane Long Academy, Meyerland PVA Middle School, or Pershing Middle School who would like to be considered for Pin Oak's Magnet Program and Boundary Option should fill out an application for both programs on hisdchoice.com.

 

Q. What is the difference between a "Magnet" and "Boundary Option" student?

A. Pin Oak is a Languages Other than English (LOTE) magnet school. All Magnet Program students are required to take a language other than English. Boundary Option students are not required to take a language, but do have access to the foreign language program. There is no difference in the core content curriculum offered to our Magnet students vs. Boundary Option students.

 

Q. What does "lottery" mean?

A. All qualified applications for our Magnet Program and Boundary Option will be placed in two separate lotteries (one lottery for Magnet and one lottery for Boundary Option). Qualified applicants will be selected for acceptance from each lottery at random.

 

Q. Do I need to submit copies of my student's test scores and grades?

A. Applicants who attended 4th grade in a Houston ISD school and currently attend 5th grade in a Houston ISD school do not need to provide grades and test scores. For those applying from outside of Houston ISD, you may upload your grades and test results during the application process. Once your child has been accepted, some information may be requested to ensure proper class placement.

 

Q. My child is not identified as gifted and talented. Can they still apply to Pin Oak?

A. Yes. Applicants do not need to qualify as gifted and talented to be accepted to Pin Oak. However, we do offer GT classes in our Boundary Option and Magnet Program.

 

Q. Do I need to provide proof of residency when I apply?

A. You do not need to submit proof of residency at the time of application. However, if your student is accepted to Pin Oak and accepts their seat, we will require proof of residency (water bill, electricity bill, gas bill, or lease agreement).

 

Q. If my student is accepted as Boundary Option and my family moves, can they still attend Pin Oak?

A. Residency guidelines for zoned campuses are applied. If you move out of the Jane Long Academy, Meyerland, or Pershing attendance zone, your student will no longer be eligible for a Boundary Option transfer.

 

Q. If I apply early, does that increase my chances of being accepted at Pin Oak?

A. No. All qualified applications received between Friday, September 10 and Thursday, November 11, 2021 will be placed in the same lottery.

 

Q. I heard Pin Oak has a wait list. How many students will you accept from the wait list?

A. Each year, we access the wait list to fill open spots. The wait list number fluctuates each year, so there is no way of knowing what number we will get to on the wait list.