The Magnet Application Process is run by the HISD Office of School Choice (OSC). Please view their website by to explore school options and important dates.
Application Phases for the 2026-27 School Year
Phase 1 School Choice Application Opens: December 9, 2025
Phase 1 Applications due by: February 11, 2026
Phase 1 Offer Acceptance Deadline: April 1, 2026
Any eligible student who meets the qualifications for the program to which they are applying will be entered in a lottery if there are more applicants than available seats. For Phase 1 only - the date that the application is submitted does not influence their chances as long as it is within the Phase 1 window.
Note: All qualified applications submitted during Phase 1 will be entered in the lottery; please note that ranking schools by choice is important.
Phase 2 School Choice Application Opens: March 19, 2026
After all applications in Phase 1 have been processed, eligible students who meet the qualifications for the program to which they are applying will be considered in the order in which their application was submitted.
Note: All qualified applications submitted during Phase 2 will only be offered seats based upon availability in order of application submission. After Phase 2 ends, selection moves to Phase 3 which no longer allows for current HISD students to apply for remaining seats - there is a hard deadline for HISD students.
Important Dates
- Phase 1 Ends February 11, 2026
- Phase 1 Lottery Results Released March 19, 2026
- Phase 1 Lottery Acceptance Deadline April 1, 2026
- Phase 2 Acceptance Deadline (5 calendar days from offer date)
- Phase 2 Application Closes (1 week before school opens)
