• 2023-2024 School Choice applications will open December 14, 2022.
    >> Apply to Mandarin Immersion Magnet Program

     

    Want to see us in person? Here are school fairs dates and locations where you can find us to ask questions and learn more!

    Phase 1 Fairs : (All from 9:00am to noon)

    • 11/12 @ Austin High School
    • 12/10 @ Worthing High School
    • 01/21/23 @ Heights HS
    • 01/28/23 @ Westside HS
     
    2022-2023 MAGNET STATUS:
     
    Prekindergarten Eligibility and Tuition-Based PreKindergarten Students who turn four (4) years of age on or before September 1 of a given school year can apply to our prekindergarten program. Please refer to the links below for more details about prekindergarten eligibility criteria and tuition-based prekindergarten option.
     
    Are you in or out of district?  HISD AREA MAP
    If your address is out of the HISD zone, you will be eligible for Phase III, on a first come, space-available basis. Per Board Policy, Out of District transfers may be accepted into separate and unique school (SUS) magnet programs or campuses that do not have an attendance zone, provided no resident or employee has been denied acceptance due to lack of space.   However, the Superintendent must approve out-of-District tuition transfers to SUS magnet programs and specialty programs on a case-by-case basis for students. When exceptions are granted by the Superintendent, tuition shall be charged.  Last year, the tuition was around $10,000 for the year.
     
    I applied to MIMS. What happens next?
    If you apply to MIMS by February 2nd, 2023, you are considered a Phase I applicant.
     
     
    Pre-K Phase I need-based applicants are chosen by lottery. Tuition-based applicants are not offered a seat until all need-based applicants in the waiting list have been considered.
     
    Notification will be sent by both email (to the email address on file with the online application) and via USPS of the results of the lottery. Your child will either be offered provisional enrollment or you will be notified of your child's position on the waiting list. Enrollment is provisional based on successful completion of further steps, including accepting the position, submitting required documentation, and signing the magnet contract.
     
    Any applicants who submit applications after February 2nd, 2023 are Phase II applicants. Due to the large number of Phase I applicants, it is not likely that Phase II applicants will be offered spaces. If all Phase I wait lists are exhausted and space is still available, they will be offered to Phase II applicants based on date of application.
     
    Kindergarten Phase I applicants are chosen by lottery, with 25% of available spaces reserved for siblings of currently enrolled students (if a sibling is not drawn for one of the dedicated sibling spaces, they will be entered into the general lottery).
     
    Notification will be sent by both email (to the email address on file with the online application) and via USPS of the results of the lottery. Your child will either be offered provisional enrollment or you will be notified of your child's position on the waiting list. Enrollment is provisional based on successful completion of further steps, including accepting the position, submitting required documentation, and signing the magnet contract.
     
    Any applicants who submit applications after February 2nd, 2023 are Phase II applicants. Due to the large number of Phase I applicants, it is not likely that Phase II applicants will be offered spaces. If all Phase I wait lists are exhausted and space is still available, they will be offered to Phase II applicants based on date of application.
     
    1st grade through 5th grade Phase I applicants are required to take Mandarin Chinese proficiency test.  Applicants who pass the screener (passing score varies by grade, please click here for study material) are all automatically put on a wait list. MIMS will not know how many open spaces there are until closer to the start of the 2023-24 academic year.  If any spaces become available, the students on the wait list will be contacted to verify continued interest in attending MIMS.
     
    Any applicants who submit applications after February 2nd, 2023 are Phase II applicants. Due to the large number of Phase I applicants, it is not likely that Phase II applicants will be offered spaces. If all Phase I wait lists are exhausted and space is still available, they will be offered to Phase II applicants based on date of application for Pre-K and Kinder and proficiency test results.
     
    6th grade through 8th grade Phase I applicants who receive an 80 or higher on the Magnet matrix (see this document for the matrix and calculator) will be required to take a Mandarin Chinese proficiency test (please click here for study material). The students who meet this requirement are chosen by lottery.  
     
    Notification will be sent by both email (to the address on file with the online application) and via USPS of the results of the lottery.  Your child will either be offered a provisional enrollment or you will be notified of your child's position on the waiting list. Enrollment is provisional based on successful completion of further steps, including accepting the position, submitting the required documentation, and signing the magnet contract.  
     
    We have 2 immersion tracks for 6th and 7th graders, and students will be placed in the appropriate track based upon their proficiency test. Advanced Immersion students have a significant Mandarin background, and Beginner Immersion students have very little to no Mandarin background.