HOUSTON – Oct. 20, 2020 – Families who have students in the fifth and eighth grades should start planning now to learn more about the district’s schools of choice and how to apply when the online application opens on Nov. 2.

Spring ISD currently has five schools of choice, two at the middle school level and three at the high school level, including a new one housed at Dekaney High School. From Oct. 26 to Oct. 29, all five schools will be hosting virtual information meetings each day at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

“We’re looking forward to talking with our parents about our schools of choice and how they’re designed to offer a unique experience to students who might be looking for something a little different than their neighborhood school,” said Chief of Innovation and Equity Dr. Lupita Hinojosa. “Our fifth and eighth grade students have some great options and these virtual meetings will provide more information in English and Spanish.”

Parents of fifth grade students will be able to learn more about Roberson Middle School and Spring Leadership Academy. Roberson was recently named a 2020 National Blue Ribbon School and offers middle schoolers four engaging communities to pick from: STEM Engineering, Law Enforcement, Performing Arts and Environmental/Agriculture.

The other middle school of choice is Spring Leadership Academy, which gives students in grades 6-8 a small-school experience together with leadership and community service opportunities. Students have the opportunity to take part in blended learning, which combines traditional instructional techniques with digital ones. In addition, the school offers classes in the Business Management & Administration career pathway, as well as opportunities to take part in the school’s Leadership Officer Training Corps (LOTC) program.

For eighth grade students, the district offers three high schools of choice. The newest program, Pathways in Technology Early College High School or P-TECH, is set to debut next year at Dekaney High School and will offer students the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science degree while still enjoying a comprehensive high school experience. Key areas of study will include computer programming, coding, animation and gaming.

For students who want a smaller higher school experience, the district offers Spring Early College Academy, which is located on the campus of Lone Star College-North Harris. Students enrolled at Spring Early College Academy also have the opportunity to earn an associate degree while receiving rigorous and relevant instruction that prepares them to be critical thinkers, responsible citizens and confident leaders. Spring Early College Academy has consistently ranked among the top 10 high schools in the greater Houston area as measured by the nonprofit group Children at Risk and was named a 2020 Best High School by U.S. News and World Report. 

For students who enjoy hands-on experiences and exploring immediate real-world applications for their learning, the district offers Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, which is designed around three career towers – medical, professional and technology. Advanced academics are integrated with career exploration and college preparation. Besides having the opportunity to take AP and dual-credit coursework, students also prepare a senior Capstone project that is presented to the school’s industry partners.

“Our goal is to make sure all of our interested students can find the right fit at one of our schools of choice,” Hinojosa said. “We hope all families with students in grades five and eight will take the opportunity to attend our virtual meetings and discover the great opportunities Spring ISD has to offer as we seek to provide excellent and equitable outcomes for all students.”

For more information about all of the programs, please visit www.springisd.org/choice.