Frequently Asked Questions
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When should my child start to apply?
During your child's 8th grade year to be considered for admittance here for the 9th grade
Applications dates for the following school year can be found HERE. You can also visit HISD School Choice for the latest updates.
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How do you apply?
You can submit an online application at Choose HISD. You can apply to a total of ten (10) Magnet Programs. We strongly suggest that you apply to more than one magnet program. You must rank the schools you are applying to in order of preference.
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What are the requirements for acceptance into your program?
- Students must have a minimum matrix score of "80" in order to qualify. You can visit HISD's school choice website to learn how the Matrix score is calculated.
Based on the most recent information we have received from HISD, students applying to DeBakey will no longer be required to take the Health Science/Math Readiness Test as a part of their school choice application, but students are still required to submit testing results from their 7th grade year (i.e. STAAR, ERB, IOWA).
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What needs to be submitted with the application?
If your child was not attending an HISD school during their full 7th grade year, you must attach the following documents to your application:
1. A copy of your child's end of year report card for their 7th grade school year, and
2. A copy of all standardized test results (IOWA/Logramos or Stanfor/Aprenda and STAAR) from your child's 7th grade year (or the latest year available) that your child took in a non-HISD school
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Do you consider anything else with the application?
No. For equity purposes, we do not consider recommendation letters, resumes, awards, projects, photos, or anything not listed on the application.
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My child is special needs, can I still apply?
We suggest that parents request a campus of interest during the ARD before they even apply to the school, as early as 6th, 7th grade, or even at the beginning of 8th grade since there is a chance that our campus (as well as other magnet campuses) may not offer the special education program that the student may need.
Students with disabilities can apply using the HISD application process for School Choice programs. A student with disabilities who meets the specified school choice criteria and is accepted for admission is required to have an Admission, Review, and Dismissal/ Individualized Education Program (ARD/IEP) or Section 504 committee meeting prior to enrolling in the program to ensure that the student’s IEP or Section 504 plan can be implemented in the school choice requested program. For more information please visit the Special Education department website https://www.houstonisd.org/SPED
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Incomplete Applications = Unprocessed Applications
Failure to provide the necessary documents needed will result in not being able to process your child's application for consideration.
It is the parents' responsibility that applications are completed by the deadlines established for processing.
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Application Status- What does it mean?
There are several stages that an application goes through. Here are the definitions of what your student's application means to the process at DeBakey High School.
Submitted, In Processing - The student's application has been submitted and is currently in processing. The magnet office has not had a chance to review the application as of yet, but no need to worry, just have patience. :)
Qualified, Pending - The student's application is qualified for the lottery based on their matrix score, but it is pending the lottery has not been run yet.
Qualified - The student has a qualifying matrix score for the lottery. At this point, nothing else needs to be done but await lottery results.
Not Qualified - The student does not have a minimum matrix score of "80" and does not qualify for the Phase 1 lottery. Also, if the student is applying for a grade level other than "9th", the student is not qualified because we only accept incoming 9th graders.
Incomplete - The student's application is missing documents. Check the dashboard and/or your email for any notes/messages we have sent regarding what is missing. There will always be a note if marked as incomplete.
Complete - All documents have been received, we are in the process of calculating your student's matrix.
Not Submitted - The application has not been submitted! What are you waiting for?!? Make sure you review the application and have completed all the steps required so that it is sent off to us so it may be processed on time for the Phase 1 lottery.
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Do students still need to take a Health Science/Math Readiness Test?
Based on the most recent information we have received from HISD, the testing requirement for DeBakey has been lifted for all students applying through HISD School Choice. Students are no longer required to take the Health Science/Math Readiness Test as part of their school choice application for DeBakey HSHP. Once you have finished filling out the application online and uploaded all requested documents (e.g. report card and standardized test results), your application should be complete.
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How many students are accepted into your program?
We have approximately 300 spaces available for 9th graders. There are more qualified applicants than spaces available; a lottery will be used to select students from those with qualifying matrix scores. All lottery sessions are held at the Hattie Mae White Education Support Center by the Office of School Choice.
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Do you accept students at all grade levels?
No, we only accept 9th grade applicants. The health science curriculum of our magnet program is specified in our 4-year course sequence, which does not allow the ability for transfers. No exceptions.
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How do I know what school my child is zoned to in HISD?
Enter your address at this link: Find a School
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What score does my child need on their matrix in order to qualify for the program?
Students need a minimum of "80" in order to qualify for the lottery. You can visit HISD's school choice website to learn how the Matrix score is calculated.
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What qualifying matrix scores are students more successful at DeBakey?
Although the minimum qualifying score is 80, we find that students with a matrix score of 90 or above are able to handle the curriculum with greater success. You can visit HISD's school choice website to learn how the Matrix score is calculated.
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How does ranking applications work?
It is very important that you rank the schools you are applying to in order of preference.
Once accepted into a program, all of a student’s lesser-ranked applications, including any other acceptances, will be “dropped” or “released”, so that those spots can be offered to other students. For example, if you get accepted into your #1 ranked choice and applied to 3 programs, the #2 and #3 choice will be dropped.
Please read the Office of School Choice's explanation of school rankings by clicking here.
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I have applied, what happens next?
Now, you will need to wait. Notifications will be sent out letting you know whether or not your child has been offered a seat. As we process applications before that date, you might receive an email from us letting you know your child's application is incomplete or missing information.
Please keep a look out in your email for messages from us. Keep your login information handy for the Application System as you can always log in and check the status of the application or for any notes we might have regarding the application.
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When are tours available?
This year, campus tours will be held every Thursday at 1pm starting October 10th through February 6th. Click HERE for more information about tours and to register to attend a tour. Note that there will not be any tours held the week of Thanksgiving or Winter Breaks**
We will be holding an 8th Grade Open House for both students and parents, date soon to be posted. Students, faculty, staff, and many clubs and organizations will be available to answer any questions during our 8th Grade Magnet Open House Showcase.
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Do you have UIL sports at your campus?
No, if a student is interested in participating in UIL sports, they may try out and play for their zoned school.
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What extra-curricular activities do you have on campus?
DeBakey HSHP offers a variety of extra-curricular activities in the form of clubs and organizations. Visit our Clubs and Organizations page to see the complete list.
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Do you provide transportation?
The HISD Transportation Department will provide transportation to all students who live more than 2 miles from our campus.
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Do you allow student shadowing?
No, unfortunately, we do not allow our students to be shadowed. Quality instruction without interruption is paramount at DeBakey HSHP.
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My child has qualified and has been offered a seat into your program. What are the next steps?
If your child is offered a seat, you must complete the enrollment procedures by the deadline. Please check your email for updates.
You will have to submit a signed entrance agreement along with proof of HISD residency.
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What can be submitted as proof of HISD residency?
We will only accept the following:
1. A current (within the last 3 months) electric bill, natural gas bill, water bill, AND
2. A valid lease agreement (if the resident is renting).
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What if the utility bills are in someone else's name? What else would you need
As per Federal and State Compliance, the following documentation is needed:
- Photo Identification from both, the parent and the resident
- A Statement of Residence form
- Student Residency Questionnaire
- A letter from the resident detailing the names of all individuals residing at the address along with the time period that they will be living at the residence
- The residents' current electric bill, natural gas bill, water bill, or valid lease agreement (all names must be listed on the lease agreement)
