How many art areas can I apply for?  You may choose to audition for one or two art areas. You do NOT need to apply or select two art areas if you are only interested in one.  Students who are invited for callbacks for two art areas will rank the art areas in the event they qualify for both. You will only be accepted to one area.

  

Can I study two art areas?  No.  Each art area provides a comprehensive, sequential four year curriculum that does not allow for another art area focus.

 

Can I apply and audition for 10^th, 11^th, or 12^th grade?  The answer is yes, although it is not common, and we can not predict if there will be any openings.  For the 24-25 school year, we anticipate inviting some 10th graders, but there are no guarantees.  These decisions are based on a number of factors including available space in the school, grade level and art area.  We hope that going through the audition process is an educational opportunity on its own.  For the 23-24 school year, we invited nine incoming 10th graders, one incoming 11th grader, and no incoming 12th graders.

 

Do grades, matrix scores, letters of recommendation, or sibling priority increase my chances of qualifying?  No.  Kinder HSPVA qualifies applicants by audition only. Final screening and selection is based on the audition process. ​ Sibling priority does not apply.

 

How should I rank Kinder HSPVA? You should rank Kinder HSPVA in order of preference. If Kinder HSPVA is your first choice, you should rank us #1.  If you rank Kinder HSPVA lower than #1 and you are accepted into a higher-ranked program, you may be "dropped" or "released" even if you qualify for one of our programs.  

 

My student is currently receiving Special Education or 504 and needs accommodations for the audition process.  Who should I contact?   We want to set up all of the students who audition for HSPVA for success. If your student currently receives accommodations and has a formal IEP or 504 accommodations, please contact Jonathan Klein (jklein1@houstonisd.org) if you feel that you need accommodations during the audition process.

 

What about academic classes? Do you offer AP courses?   Students must complete the same required coursework as other HISD high schools.  We offer on-level academic classes as well as Pre-AP and AP coursework. Please note that art area requirements only allow for 5 academic classes per year and scheduling conflicts may occur that prevent students from taking all of their requested courses.  A list of our academic course offerings can be found at https://www.houstonisd.org/domain/55796.

 

Does HSPVA offer sports? No.  As per UIL rules, HSPVA students are eligible to participate in sports at their zoned campuses.  Students would coordinate directly with their zoned campus.  Participation can not significantly impact HSPVA expectations and school hours.

 

Does Kinder HSPVA accept students from areas outside of HISD?  Priority is given to students residing within Houston HISD. In extenuating circumstances, we may consider out-of-district students.  HISD employees who pay towards TRS and live outside the HISD attendance district are considered in-district residents.  The following is HISD's Board Policy:

"In extenuating circumstances, the Superintendent may approve out-of-District tuition transfers to SUS magnet programs, early college high schools, and specialty programs on a case-by-case basis for students. When exceptions are granted by the Superintendent, tuition shall be charged."

In general, HSPVA will consider submitting a request to the Superintendent if there are not enough qualified in-district applicants for a specific department, or a specific component of a department.  We do not know in advance of the audition process if we will be considering out-of-district applicants for any of our departments.

Please note:

• All students interested in applying to Kinder HSPVA must apply and participate in the audition process according to our audition requirements and timelines. We do not have separate auditions for out-of-district students.
• In the event the Superintendent approves an HSPVA request to enroll an out-of-district student, tuition may be required and transportation is not provided.  Tuition rates are established by HISD and is subject to change each year.
• Residency is based on the address provided in your application submitted on ChooseHISD.com

 

Do you accept late applicants?  After the audition process has ended, we will only consider applicants for specific needs that would benefit an art area.

 

Do you provide feedback on auditions?  We do not provide individual feedback on auditions.

 

Does HSPVA offer summer programs?  No.

 

Is HSPVA Friends offering Middle School Workshops year?  All Middle School Workshops for 2023 have ended.  Please visit https://hspvafriends.org/special-events/workshops/ for more information about workshops in the Fall of 2024.

 

(Updated December 7, 2023)