Public Schools
274 schools. 187,000 students. Your neighborhood. Your business.
Last updated April 2026 | Sources: houstonisd.org, tea.texas.gov
In a normal year, HISD is run by 9 board members elected from single-member districts. Each trustee represents roughly 260,000 residents. The board hires the superintendent, approves the annual budget, sets academic policy, and votes on school openings and closures.
Board meetings happen on the second Thursday of each month at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 West 18th Street. Meetings are open to the public. Anyone can attend.
In June 2023, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) replaced the elected board with a state-appointed board of managers and installed a new superintendent. This was the result of years of state intervention triggered by low performance at Wheatley High School and a separate investigation into board governance.
What this means for you: the state-appointed board still holds public meetings. You can still show up. You can still speak during public comment. Your voice still matters -- arguably more right now, because fewer people are using it.
Every HISD board meeting includes a public comment period. Here is exactly how it works.
1. Sign up online before the meeting at houstonisd.org or in person at the meeting location starting 1 hour before the meeting. 2. You get 2 minutes to speak. That is roughly 300 words. Write it out and practice. 3. Address the board, not the audience. Speak to the microphone. 4. Stick to one topic. Be specific. "I want to talk about the bus route change affecting Bellaire High School" lands harder than "I have concerns about transportation." 5. Bring copies of any documents you reference and give them to the board secretary.
You do not need to be a parent or a resident of a specific district. Any member of the public can speak.
HISD offers several ways to attend a school outside your zoned campus.
Magnet programs: HISD runs 100+ magnet programs in elementary, middle, and high schools covering Vanguard (gifted/talented), Montessori, fine arts, STEM, International Baccalaureate, and career technical education. Applications open in November each year. Lottery results come in March.
Transfers: You can apply to attend any HISD school with available space. Transfer applications open in spring. Priority goes to siblings of current students and employees' children.
Charter schools: These are separate from HISD. They are publicly funded but independently operated. Harris County has 100+ charter campuses. They have their own application processes and timelines.
The magnet application is online at houstonisd.org/magnets. There is no application fee.