Herod Elementary Vanguard Magnet Program

  • Herod Elementary is a Vanguard magnet campus which serves students from the Meyerland area and throughout Houston. Our program is designed to offer rigorous, high-quality experiences that allow students to engage with real-world issues and present their learning to the community in a variety of ways.

    Herod offers your child…

    • Highly qualified teachers with specialized training in gifted education
    • A rigorous, differentiated curriculum
      • Participation in campus and district EXPO events
    • Student leadership opportunities in clubs and service groups         
    • After-school and enrichment programs
    • Garden, pond and outdoor classroom
    • Classes in music, art, physical education, STEAM, and Social Emotional Learning 
    • Participation in academic and speech competitions
      • Science & History Fairs
    • Active parent volunteers and PTO

    In order to be considered for the Vanguard program, students must test and qualify on a matrix that includes the following: ability testing, achievement testing, grades, teacher ratings and, if applicable, overcoming obstacles such as limited English skills, special needs and low socio-economic status. Eligibility determination will be made by the Advanced Academics Department and parents will be notified of the results.

    To learn more about how you can become a part of the 
    Herod School community:
    Call or email Shelley Fair, Magnet Coordinator (713) 778-3315 or Shelley.Fair@houstonisd.org

2023 GT EXPO Spotlight

Vanguard Program Photo Gallery

  • Application Process (Step by Step):            

    1. Take a tour of the schools in which you are interested. Learn more about schools to assess if the school is going to be the right fit for your child’s needs and your family. All HISD Elementary magnet schools will host tours every Thursday morning at 9:00.

    Herod tours are listed on the calendar on our Homepage! 

    2. Complete GT Testing.

    Please note that parents of second grade students or students who have previously been identified as gifted and talented do not need to request additional testing.  

    3. Complete the Magnet application. You can complete your application online. Be certain that all required documents are attached to the application or uploaded when you submit it. The 2025-2026 application window is now open.

    • For Kindergarten applications a birth certificate is required ONLY if your child is not currently enrolled in an HISD Pre-K program.  
    • For applications in grades 1-5: A teacher recommendation must be requested by all students. Non-HISD students and students new to HISD must also submit a copy of last year's final report card and contact the GT Coordinator at their zoned HISD campus to schedule testing. Students attending HISD for the entire year last year will not need to submit a report card. Current HISD students will be tested at their current HISD campus. 

    4. Rank your schools.  Rank the programs you apply to in priority order, from first choice to last choice. You may apply to a maximum of 10 programs, with no more than 5 Magnet programs.  It is very important that you think carefully about your ranking, because if your child is accepted to a program, any lower-ranked choice will be automatically dropped. 

    4. Wait, wait and wait some more!  Notification day is MARCH 20, 2025!

    5. Intent to attend deadline. Students may accept only one Magnet program for the next school year.  Families will have two weeks to accept an offered seat at a Magnet program by submitting proof of residency and signing a Magnet Entrance Agreement. Failure to provide proof of residency will forfeit any transfer offer.

     
    For information, please contact Shelley Fair, Magnet Coordinator at Shelley.Fair@houstonisd.org or 713-778-3315.