Application Information

There will be a second application process for families that do not reside within the school’s designated attendance zone to have their student attend Highlands Elementary School. Students residing within the designated attendance zone for Highlands Elementary DO NOT need to apply.

This second application is intended to provide access opportunity for students who move into New Caney ISD after the initial application window deadline. The second application window will open May 2, 2025, and will close May 9, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by a New Caney ISD committee. Students residing within NCISD boundaries who meet the following eligibility criteria will be entered into a lottery for selection: 

1. Attendance Requirement: Students must have an attendance rate of at least 90% and no more than four unexcused absences in the previous school year.
2. Discipline Record: Students must not have any discipline incidents on record for the prior year.
3. Enrollment Requirement: Students must reside within the New Caney ISD attendance zone and have completed the prior academic year in a TEA accredited school.
4. Commitment to Academic Excellence: Highlands Elementary School is a Candidate School for the International Baccalaureate Primary Year Programme. Both students and parents must commit to active participation in this comprehensive, STEM-infused program. Commitment is critical to the success of the school’s mission and vision.

The application window will be posted on this page, opening May 2, 2025 and closing May 9, 2025. Parents will be notified of acceptance by Laserfiche email by May 16, and must accept their child's enrollment within 7 days of notification. 
 

Student Acceptance and Lottery Process

• For the 2025-2026 inaugural year, Highlands Elementary will accept 50 students per grade level, 1st through 5th grade, for a total of 250 students. 
• Students meeting all criteria will be entered into a lottery system and randomly selected for admission. Those not selected will be placed on a waiting list and notified if a seat becomes available.
• Sibling Transfer Policy: Families wishing to apply for multiple children in their household must submit all names on a single application. Each child on the application must meet the transfer criteria. The number of entries into the lottery will be based on the number of children on the application. 
• Once each grade level is at capacity, no additional students will be added to the respective grade level. 
• Any child of a Highlands Elementary staff member will have automatic acceptance, however must follow district transfers guidelines. 
• Children in grades 1-5 of other full time professional employees of NCISD, meeting HES transfer criteria outlined above will be automatically accepted, pending enrollment availability.
   

Application and Notification Timeline

Inaugural Year Second Application Window

• Application window will open May 2, 2025, and will close May 9, 2025.
  • Acceptance Notification: Parents will be notified by Laserfiche email May 16, 2025. 
  • Response Deadline: Parents must accept their child’s enrollment within 7 days of receiving notification of acceptance.

Subsequent Years Application Window

• Opens the first Monday of November at 8:00 AM and closes the first Friday of December at midnight each year.
   

Transfer and Enrollment Policies

• Students who meet the eligibility criteria and are accepted through the lottery will be grandfathered in for each subsequent year, provided they continue to meet all transfer requirements. 
• If a student is withdrawn, they will not have a reserved seat upon return.
• NCISD transportation will not be provided for any students attending on a transfer, including children of employees.
   

Future Applications

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, and following, transfer applications will be accepted only for 1st grade.  Available seats will be determined by the administration based on enrollment fluctuations of students residing within the designated attendance zone.