APPLYING TO OUR MAGNET PROGRAM

Pin Oak Middle School’s Foreign Language Magnet Program is open to all students residing in HISD. Transportation may be provided to students who meet the qualifications.

 

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BOUNDARY OPTION

 

Not only can you apply to Pin Oak via the HISD Foreign Language Magnet Program, but those students who are eligible for a Boundary Option spot (because they reside in the zones for one of Jane Long Academy, Meyerland PVA Middle School, or Pershing Middle School) may apply for the Boundary Option lottery. The only thing needed to qualify you for this program is your home address. As long as your primary residence is zoned to one of the above-listed schools, you will be considered in a lottery for our Boundary Option. 

 

Students who qualify for inclusion in the Boundary Option lottery simply complete the Magnet Program application at houstonisd.org/SC to be considered. There is no separate application for Boundary Option.

 

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HISD SCHOOL CHOICE APPLICATION

 

Applications may be submitted online at houstonisd.org/SC. You may apply to a total of five (5) Magnet Programs in HISD. Please contact the Pin Oak Middle School front office at (713) 295-6500 if you are unable to apply online and need a paper application. 

 

Applicants who attended 4th grade in a Houston ISD school and currently attend 5th grade in a Houston ISD school do not need to provide grades and test scores. This information is already in the system for HISD students. For those applying from outside of Houston ISD, you can upload your grades and test results during the application process. Once your child has been accepted, some information may be requested to ensure proper class placement. 

 

All applicants will be placed into the lottery. 

 

Please visit the HISD Office of School Choice website for additional application information: houstonisd.org/SC

 

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Q. How do I apply to Pin Oak Middle School?

A. You may apply online at houstonisd.org/SC

 

Q. When can I apply to Pin Oak Middle School?

A. Phase 1 applications open December 10, 2024. houstonisd.org/SC

 

Q. I live near Pin Oak. Can I just come by and register my child?

A. Pin Oak is an application-only school. There are no students zoned to Pin Oak. We encourage every child who is interested in our school to apply. We have a Magnet Program for Languages Other than English (LOTE) and a "Boundary Option" program.

 

Q. What does "Boundary Option" mean, and can my child apply for it?

A. Students zoned to Jane Long Academy, Meyerland PVA Middle School, or Pershing Middle School can apply to Pin Oak as a "Boundary Option" student. A lottery system is used to award seats.  

 

Q. If my student qualifies for the Boundary Option, can they also apply to the Magnet Program?

A. Applicants who live in the boundary zone of Jane Long Academy, Meyerland PVA Middle School, or Pershing Middle School who would like to be considered for Pin Oak's Magnet Program and Boundary Option should fill out an application for both programs on houstonisd.org/SC.

 

Q. What is the difference between a "Magnet" and "Boundary Option" student?

A. Pin Oak is a Languages Other than English (LOTE) magnet school. All Magnet Program students are required to take a language other than English. Boundary Option students are not required to take a language but do have access to the foreign language program. There is no difference in the core content curriculum offered to our Magnet students vs. Boundary Option students.

 

Q. What does "lottery" mean?

A. All qualified applications for our Magnet Program and Boundary Option will be placed in two separate lotteries (one for Magnet and one for Boundary Option). Qualified applicants will be selected for acceptance from each lottery at random.

 

Q. Do I need to submit copies of my student's test scores and grades?

A. Applicants who attended 4th grade in a Houston ISD school and currently attend 5th grade in a Houston ISD school do not need to provide grades and test scores. For those applying from outside of Houston ISD, you may upload your grades and test results during the application process. Once your child has been accepted, some information may be requested to ensure proper class placement.

 

Q. My child is not identified as gifted and talented. Can they still apply to Pin Oak?

A. Yes. Applicants do not need to be identified as gifted and talented to be accepted to Pin Oak. However, we do offer advanced-level classes in both our Boundary Option and Magnet Program.

 

Q. Do I need to provide proof of residency when I apply?

A. You do not need to submit proof of residency at the time of application. However, if your student is accepted to Pin Oak and accepts their seat, we will require proof of residency (water bill, electricity bill, gas bill, or lease agreement).

 

Q. If my student is accepted as Boundary Option and my family moves, can they still attend Pin Oak?

A. Residency guidelines for zoned campuses are applied. If you move out of the Jane Long Academy, Meyerland PVA, or Pershing MS attendance zone, your student will no longer be eligible for a Boundary Option transfer.

 

Q. If I apply early, does that increase my chances of being accepted at Pin Oak?

A. No. All qualified applications that are received will be placed in the same lottery.

 

Q. I heard Pin Oak has a waitlist. How many students will you accept from the wait list?

A. Each year, we access the waitlist to fill open spots. The waitlist number fluctuates each year, so there is no way of knowing what number we will get to on the waitlist