Magnet Progam
Magnet Program Contact
Magnet Administrator
Alynn Lebiga
Alynn.Lebiga@houstonisd.org
Phone: 713-295-6500
About the Magnet Program
The Pin Oak Foreign Language Magnet Program offers students the opportunity to learn and grow in languages other than English by introducing them to Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Italian, Hindi, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish through a comprehensive rotation of languages during their 6th-grade year. Students then narrow their focus to one or two languages in 7th and 8th grades with an opportunity to earn a high school credit. We offer an academic curriculum designed to prepare students for high school and beyond. The successful student will be able to meet the challenges of high school upon graduation from Pin Oak.
Magnet Thursday Tours
Scan the QR code in the graphic above or click here to sign up online.
Magnet Program Vision Statement
The vision of Pin Oak Middle School’s Language Magnet Program is to cultivate students who are proficient in languages other than English through a rigorous and advanced curriculum using our high-technology language lab. Upon completion of three years in the language program, students will be prepared for high school and college. Teachers, parents, and community members will support the students through international performances and language programs over their three years on campus.
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.
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 online to be considered. There is no separate application for Boundary Option.
All applicants must apply to our Magnet Program online before the magnet lottery deadline.
To be eligible for a Boundary Option spot, a student must reside within the boundary attendance zone of one of the following middle schools:
HISD School Choice Application
Applications may be submitted online . 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I apply to Pin Oak Middle School?
A. You may apply online
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 online .
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.
It is the policy of the Houston Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, handicap or disability, ancestry, national origin, marital status, race, religion, sex, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression in its educational or employment programs and activities.