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• • Parent Identification (one of the following is required):
    • Driver’s License
    • Passport
    • Military ID
    • Other forms of valid identification
  • Student Identification (one of the following is required):
    • Birth Certificate
    • Social Security Card
    • Passport
    • Baptismal Records
    • Other forms of valid identification
  • Proof of Address (one of the following is required):
    • Current Rental Lease or Mortgage Statement
    • Utility Bill (not including internet)
      • Light, gas, water
  • Proof of Grade (one of the following is required): 
    • Prior Academic Records
    • Final Report Card(s)
    • Final Transcripts, etc.
  • Immunization Records (one of the following is required):
    • Doctor's Records
    • Official Record of Vaccinations. For the list of all required vaccinations based on age and grade, please click here: Immunization Requirements

Students will not be denied enrollment if parents/ guardians do not have the above-referenced documents at the campus when seeking to enroll, but the student’s enrollment will be considered provisional until the proper documentation is submitted. Parent identification, student identification, proof of address, and proof of grade must be turned in within the first 30 days of enrollment or 90 days if your child was born outside of the United States.

Online: You may enroll at your zoned school online through HISD Connect.

Follow the steps to create an account and sign in. Once signed in, complete the online enrollment application. You will be asked to upload your required enrollment documents (see above) upon completion of the application.

💡 TIP: Gather and organize all required documents to easily upload to the application. Clear, legible photos are acceptable.

In-Person: Go directly to your zoned school with all required documents, at your earliest convenience. A staff member at the school can assist you with the enrollment and registration process.

Visit the Office of School Choice to learn more about the variety of schools and programs HISD has to offer. HISD strives to provide students with a variety of opportunities, empowering them to succeed from pre-kindergarten to graduation and beyond.

Questions? Please contact your neighborhood school or the Houston ISD Student Enrollment Department at 713-556-4826 / Enroll@HoustonISD.org. We are here to help you every step of the way!

Apply online at HoustonISD.org/SchoolChoice 

See Pre-K FAQ for eligibility requirements.

Or, download a paper application available online at any HISD school and at the Parent Center in the Hattie Mae White Education Support Center

Families can select up to 10 school programs on their application, with a maximum of five Magnet programs. (See Pre-K FAQ for specific Magnet programs).

Rank your selected programs in priority order, from most desired to least desired school. 

Sign and submit an online application via the parent portal HoustonISD.org/SchoolChoice; or

Mail or hand-deliver the paper application along with the required documentation to:

Office of School Choice
Houston Independent School District
4400 West 18th Street
Houston, TX 77092

Families will learn the results of the lottery the week of April 5, 2023. 

See Pre-K FAQ for eligibility requirements.

If your student has been offered a seat in a program, you will have two weeks to submit documentation and sign the entrance agreement, if applicable.

If your student is on the TEA non-eligible waitlist, you will be contacted by campus designated personnel after all TEA-eligible Pre-K 4 students have enrolled.

In Houston ISD, select free and tuition-based pre-kindergarten programs are available for eligible families. To determine if your family may be eligible for pre-kindergarten at HISD, and to learn more about applying for pre-kindergarten programs, please review the information included on this page.

ELIGIBILITY: FREE VS. TUITION-BASED

To be eligible for enrollment in a district free prekindergarten program, a child must:

• Be four years of age on or before September 1 of a given school year.  
• Live within the boundaries of the Houston Independent School District

AND meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Child is homeless
• Child unable to speak or understand English as determined by the Home Language Survey
• Child is economically disadvantaged
• Child of an active-duty member of the U.S. military or one who has been killed, injured, or missing in action while on active duty
• Child is or has been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code
• Child meets any eligibility criteria for Head Start
• Child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award as a peace officer as defined in Section 3106.002, a firefighter as defined in Section 3106.003, or an emergency medical first responder as defined in Section 3106.004

Phase 1 | December 14, 2022 - February 2, 2023
Qualified in-district TEA-eligible Pre-K 4 applications received during this phase will be entered into lotteries.

Phase 2 | April 5 - June 15, 2023
Qualified in-district TEA-eligible Pre-K 4, Pre-K 4 Tuition-Based and TEA-eligible Pre-K 3 applications received during this phase will be qualified on a space-available basis and first come first serve. All TEA-eligible Pre-K 4 applicants must be offered a seat prior to offering seats to any Pre-K 4 Tuition-Based and TEA-eligible Pre-K 3 applicants.

1. Sign in to your HISD Connect Parent Portal Account.
2. Click on the tab for your student. If you have multiple students, click on each student to complete their individual verification form.
3. On the left side of your Parent Portal screen, click on the link for Student Verification 2022-2023.
4. Enter your student’s date of birth.
5. Begin the Verification Form

• Phase 1 is open from December 14, 2022 - February 2, 2023.
• Once all in-district applicants have been accommodated, out-of-district applicants will be considered.
• Students will be entered into a lottery if the school has more applicants than seats available. The date of the application does not influence the chances of the lottery.
• Families will learn the results of the lottery the week of April 5, 2023. 

• Phase 2 is open from April 5 - June 15, 2023.
• All families can apply to campuses that have space available.
• Families placed on the wait list in Phase 1 will receive notifications as seats become available.

Apply for a transfer here.

See a list of schools with space available here. http://houstonisd.org/SpaceAvailable

For information about available space, the application process, and eligibility for transfers, call the school in which you are interested or the Office of School Choice at 713-556-6734.

Special circumstance transfers will start at your zoned, neighborhood school. School personnel will put in an application for you. Special transfers include: Hardship, homeless, special education, language of instruction, public education grant, boundary option, violent crime victim.