Schedule a Tour
- How to Apply
- Tours
- Important Dates and Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- NHECHS Brochure
- Contact Information
How to Apply
Apply to NHECHS
Phase I: Lottery – Parents rank options and apply. HISD runs a lottery to determine which students get a seat. Students who do not receive a seat are waitlisted at all schools ranked higher than the seat they were offered. Phase II: Space Available - Parents may add themselves to existing waitlists established during Phase I. *Current HISD students can no longer apply once this phase closes. Students may still be offered a seat at a campus if space opens up until the end of Phase 2. At the end of this phase, waitlists are retired. Note: Students that are not enrolled in HISD can submit an application even after Phase 2 has closed. For more information on the district application process and guidelines, please visit the HISD Office of School Choice website. |
Eligibility Requirements
Matrix Score Requirement: Students with a 65 or higher matrix score are eligible to be entered into the HISD Lottery.
The following is used to calculate an applicant's matrix score:
1) 2024-2025 STAAR Results and 2024-2025 Final Core Grades*
or
2) 2024-2025 Final Core Grades*
* Grades must be earned from an accredited school. If the applicant did not attend an accredited school during the 2024-2025 school year, they must attend their zoned school for the 2026-2027 school year.
Students that did not attend an HISD school during the 2024-2025 school year must upload their final report card and standardized testing results (ex: STAAR, IOWA, Logramos, TELPAS) to complete the application for consideration.
A matrix score is automatically calculated for applicants that include their HISD ID# on their application and attended an HISD school during the 2024-2025 school year.
NHECHS ECHS Admission and Registration.
Students who are eligible, apply, and offered a placement at NHECHS are required to complete additional steps to ensure eligibility to attend Houston City College, formerly known as Houston Community College (HCC), our partner organization. Failure to complete all steps can impact your attendance at our school.
1. Apply to North Houston Early College High School using the HISD Application Portal.
2. Accept a seat and provide valid proof of residence (current water, gas, or electricity bill, mortgage, or lease)
3. Attend informative sessions including Registration Day, Signing Day, and Redhawk Camp (2-week bridge camp, 6/2026) (voluntary but highly suggested)
4. Attend the HCC application workshop hosted by NHECHS with our Dual-Credit liaisons.
5. Attempt the TSI Reading, Writing and Math exam before the school year begins. TSI Testing dates are provided by NHECHS during registration.
5. Submit a signed Dual Credit Waiver form and proof of bacterial meningitis vaccine/bacterial meningitis waiver form by the deadline.
Financial Aid, HCC enrollment, and registration are all covered by your HAIS team. Do not complete any additional items sent by HCC unless specified by a NHECHS representative.
HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION
HISD Choice! Go here!
APPLICATION INFORMATION
For more information regarding the magnet application process, please visit the Office of School Choice website.
Magnet Matrix Calculator: How to calculate your child's matrix score
Online Application: HISD Choice
Tours
THURSDAY MAGNET TOURS
Come and learn about the amazing things happening on our campus, the unique programming at our Early College High School, and what it takes to join the Redhawk Family. Magnet tours are offered every Thursday from September 18, 2025, through December 11, 2025 at 1pm.
Missed a chance to make the meeting and have questions? Most frequently asked questions are listed on our FAQ page listed above.
Don't see your question? Feel free to email or call the Magnet Coordinator, Mr. Weaver. His contact information is listed to the left as well.
Take a look at these videos below to get a glimpse of what North Houston Early College High School is all about.
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
North Houston Early College High School from Houston ISD on Vimeo.
Arielle Declouette-North Houston Early College from Houston ISD on Vimeo.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Phase I Key Dates:
- 12.09.2025: K-12 Applications open. Parents rank up to 10 choices in the application.
- 02.27.2026: K-12 Applications close
- All rankings must be submitted and required documents must be uploaded by this date.
- 04.08.2026: Parent Notification Day. Families offered no more than one seat based on lottery results.
- 04.21.2026: Deadline for families to accept seat offered in Phase I.
Phase II Key Dates:
- 04.08.2026: Phase II Opens. Parents select up to 10 choices in the application.
- TBD: K-12 Applications close (all rankings and required documents must be submitted).
- TBD: K-12 Waitlist retires. The waitlist will close.
Frequently Asked Questions
As per Federal and State Compliance, the following documentation is needed:
- Photo Identification from both the parent and the resident
- A Statement of Residence form
- A letter from the resident detailing the names of all individuals residing at the address along with the time period that they will be living at the residence
- the residents' current electric bill, natural gas bill, water bill, or valid lease agreement (all names must be listed on the lease agreement)
What can be submitted as proof of HISD residency?
We will only accept the following:
1. A current (within the last 3 month) electric bill, natural gas bill, water bill, AND
2. A valid lease agreement (if the resident is renting) or Harris County property tax statement for the homestead
My child has qualified and has been offered a seat into your program. What are the next steps? If your child is offered a seat, you must complete the enrollment procedures by the deadline set by School Choice. You will have to submit a signed entrance agreement along with proof of HISD residency. You will be emailed with specific instructions of what needs to be submitted along with all forms that are required. It is imperative that we have correct contact information so that you receive all communications from us.
Do you provide transportation? The HISD Transportation Department will provide transportation to students who live more than 3 miles from our campus.
Do you have UIL sports at your campus?
No, if a student is interested in participating in IUL sports, they may tru out and play for their zoned school. We do offer intramural sports.
I have applied, what happens next? Notifications will be sent out in the Spring(TBD) letting you know whether or not your child has been offered a seat. As we process applications before that date, you might receive an email from us letting you know your child's application is incomplete or missing informations.
Please keep a look out in your email for messages from us. Keep your login information handy for the Application System as you can always log in and check the status of the application or for any notes we might have regarding the application.
How does ranking applications work? It is very important that you rank the schools you are applying to in the order of preference. Once accepted into a program, all of a student’s lesser-ranked applications, including any other acceptances, will be “dropped” or “released”, so that those spots can be offered to other students. For example, if you get accepted into your #1 ranked choice and applied to 3 programs, the #2 and #3 choice will be dropped. Please read the Office of School Choice's explanation of school rankings by clicking here.
What score does my child need on their matrix in order to qualify for the program? Students need a minimum of an 65 in order to qualify for the lottery. Read more about how the matrix score is calculated by clicking here. Magnet Matrix Calculator
How do I know what school my child is zoned to in HISD? Enter your address at this link: Find a School
Do you accept students at all grade levels? No, we only accept 9th and 10th grade applicants. The early college program is a 4 year course which does not allow the ability for transfers after 10th grade.
How many students are accepted into your program? We have about 125 spaces available for 9th graders and 2 for 10th graders. There are more qualified applicants than spaces available; a lottery will be used to select students from those with qualifying matrix scores. All lottery sessions are held at the Hattie Mae White Education Support Center by the Office of School Choice.
Incomplete Applications = Unprocessed Applications. Failure to provide the necessary documents needed will result in not being able to process your child's application for consideration. It is the parents responsibility that applications are complete by the deadlines established for processing.
Do you consider anything else with the application? No. For equity purposes, we do not consider recommendation letters, resumes, awards, projects, photos, or anything not listed on the application.
What needs to be submitted with the application? If your child was not in HISD last year, please attach the following documents to your application:
1. A copy of your child's end of year report card for the 2023-2024 school year, and
2. A copy of all standardized test results (IOWA/Logramos or Stanfor/Aprenda and STAAR) for 23-24 that your child took in a non-HISD school
What are the requirements for acceptance into your program? Students must have a minimum matrix score of "65" in order to qualify.
What if my application is late? Applications received after phase 1 deadline will be accepted but considered only on a space available basis. Prior years, due to the high volume of application received during the first phase, we have not moved beyond Phase 1 applicants. Make sure you submit your child's application on time!
What is the deadline to apply? Applications must be submitted TBD, for guaranteed consideration in the first round of applicants.
How do you apply? You can submit an online application at HISD Choice. You can apply to a total of five (10) Magnet Programs. We strongly suggest that you apply to more than one magnet program. You must rank the schools you are applying to in the order of preference.
When should my child start to apply? During your child's 8th grade year to be considered for admittance here for the 9th grade. Application for the 2026-2027 school year will be available starting in December. Applications must be submitted by end of phase 1.
