Magnet Program

  • Program Overview

    Our magnet program is focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). We are a school-wide program and serve all students in grades Kindergarten through Grade 5. Students receive instruction from specialists on a rotational schedule for 55 minutes in the areas of math & engineering, and environmental science. Our instructional programming engages students in problem-solving and independent critical thinking while emphasizing laboratory exploration and hands-on activities.

     

    Harvard offers your child: 

    • Highly qualified teachers with 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
    • Specialty classes in Environmental Science, Math and Engineering, Music, Physical Education, Library/Art
    • Restorative Justice Campus 
    • Active PTA 

    Harvard Elementary is unique because students do not require GT identification to participate in our Magnet programming. 

    To learn more about how you can become part of the Harvard Elementary community:

    Contact: Daisha Huntley, Magnet Coordinator at daisha.huntley@houstonisd.org or 713-867-5210

    HISD Magnet Application Process

    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.

    Harvard Elementary tours are listed on the Magnet tour tab


    2. Complete GT Testing.

    Harvard Elementary does NOT require students to be GT identified to attend our campus

    If your student is entering Kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year and is applying to a Magnet campus or currently in grades K-12 and is interested in gifted and talented identification or attending a school that requires gifted and talented identification for admissions, you may do so now! Please visit the Gifted & Talented webpage to complete an online testing request form.

    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 2024-2025 application window is TBD.

     

    https://www.houstonisd.org/schoolchoice

     

    • 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! 

    Once GT testing is completed, it takes 6-8 weeks for the results to return and processing to be completed.

    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 Daisha Huntley, Magnet Coordinator at daisha.huntley@houstonisd.org or 713-867-5210.