Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

DeBakey HSHP is a top-ranked HISD magnet high school focused on preparing students for college and careers in the health sciences, medical fields, and STEM professions.

📍 2545 Pressler St, Houston, TX 77030
Located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center.

DeBakey HSHP offers students:

• A rigorous academic curriculum
• Required Health Science courses (as well as Health Science electives)
• Clinical exposure and mentorship
• Advanced Placement (AP) courses for a chance to earn college credit
• Small class sizes and a supportive community

DeBakey students receive early exposure to health science topics, hands-on experiences, and clinical exposure, and mentorship opportunities — giving them a strong head start for college and health-related careers.

Students can participate in:

• HOSA: Future Health Professionals
• Science Olympiad, Debate, Art Club
• Robotics, Student Government, NHS
• Cultural, language, volunteer clubs, and more. 

For a full list of all student-led clubs and extracurricular opportunities available, please check out our Clubs and Organizations page under Our Athletics and Extracurriculars. 

Yes. HISD provides free transportation for eligible students living within HISD boundaries.

Yes. School tours are offered during the fall and spring semester during the application window. Please check the Schedule a Tour page under Admissions to register for Magnet Tours. 

Students who are self-motivated, organized, and interested in STEM or health careers tend to thrive at DeBakey. We strongly encourage students to have a solid foundation in math and science, as our rigorous program requires students to complete five years of math and five years of science coursework within four years of high school. While all students are welcome to apply, those with a strong background in these subjects are better positioned to succeed and thrive in our specialized health science curriculum.

All applications must be submitted online through the HISD School Choice application portal. Be sure to create an account and select DeBakey HSHP as one of your school choices.

Visit our Admissions page for step-by-step instructions as well as detailed information about the admission process.

You can apply anytime within the School Choice Application window. Students applying during Phase 1 are more likely to be offered a seat compared to students applying during Phase 2. 

🗓️ The Phase 1 application window for incoming 9th graders applying for the 2026-2027 academic year is December 9, 2025 – February 27, 2026.

While we are required to continue processing applications during Phase 2, available seats are expected to remain limited due to our extensive waitlist from Phase I. Students who apply during the Phase 2 application window and meet eligibility requirements will be placed at the end of the existing Phase 1 waitlist.

Applicants must be in 8th grade (entering 9th) and must meet district eligibility requirements: a minimum score of 80 on the Houston ISD Magnet Matrix calculator. This matrix score is based on core course grades from the student’s most recent full school year (7th grade report card) and standardized math and reading test scores such as STAAR, ERB, IOWA, MAP, etc. 

You will need to submit:

• 7th-grade final report card
• Standardized test scores (STAAR, ERB, IOWA, MAP, etc.)

Eligibility is based on a district-mandated Magnet Matrix score that includes:

• Grades in Core Classes
• Test scores

Please note: No interviews or additional testing is required for admission to DeBakey HSHP.

To be eligible, students must meet district eligibility requirements: a minimum score of 80 on the Houston ISD Magnet Matrix calculator. This matrix score is based on core course grades from the student’s most recent full school year (7th grade report card) and standardized math and reading test scores such as STAAR, ERB, IOWA, MAP, etc. 

Yes. Non-HISD residents may apply, but students living within HISD district boundary receive priority in the lottery. Since we are a public school, all students attending DeBakey must reside in HISD district boundaries. 

Check to see if you live within HISD district boundary. Enter your home address at the link below to see if you are zoned to an HISD school: Find your HISD School

All students, including those receiving special education services or 504 accommodations, are welcome to apply.

We suggest that parents request a campus of interest during the ARD before they even apply to the school, as early as 6th, 7th grade, or even at the beginning of 8th grade since there is a chance that our campus (as well as other magnet campuses) may not offer the specific special education program that the student may need. 

Students with disabilities can apply using the HISD application process for School Choice programs. A student with disabilities who meets the specified school choice criteria and is accepted for admission is required to have an Admission, Review, and Dismissal/ Individualized Education Program (ARD/IEP) or Section 504 committee meeting prior to enrolling in the program to ensure that the student’s IEP or Section 504 plan can be implemented in the school choice requested program. For more information please visit the HISD Special Education department website.

You can rank up to ten schools to apply to on the HISD application. If you are accepted into your 1st choice, other offers are automatically declined. Be sure to rank your true preferences.

DeBakey HSHP only accepts students as incoming 9th graders. All students on our campus are required to take four consecutive years of the specific health science courses outlined in our 4-year course sequence. Because of this specialized curriculum specific to our school’s program, we do not accept students after they have already started high school.

There are several stages that an application goes through. Here are the definitions of what your student's application status means:

Submitted, In Processing - The student's application has been submitted and is currently in processing.  Your application has not yet been reviewed, but no need to worry, just have patience. 

Qualified, Pending - The student's application is qualified for the lottery based on their matrix score, but it is pending the lottery has not been run yet.

Qualified or Eligible - The student has a qualifying matrix score for the lottery. At this point, nothing else needs to be done but await lottery results.

Not Qualified or Not Eligible - The student does not have a minimum matrix score of "80" and does not qualify for the Phase 1 lottery. Also, if the student is applying for a grade level other than "9th", the student is not qualified because we only accept incoming 9th graders.

Incomplete - The student's application is missing documents. Check the dashboard and/or your email for any notes/messages we have sent regarding what is missing. 

Complete - All documents have been received. 

Not Submitted - The application has not been submitted! What are you waiting for? Make sure you review the application and have completed all the steps required so it may be processed on time for the Phase 1 lottery.

No. Applications that are not submitted before the Phase 1 deadline will not be considered for Phase 1. Always double-check and click “Submit” before the application window closes.

Failure to provide the necessary documents needed will result in not being able to process your child's application for consideration. 

Applications must be completed by the deadlines established for processing.  

DeBakey accepts approximately 300 incoming 9th grade students every year. This number may vary depending on total returning student enrollment as well as usable building capacity.

DeBakey High School receives more qualified applicants than the number of available seats each year. As a result, a lottery system is used to select students from those who meet the minimum eligibility requirements set by the district. All lottery selections are conducted by the Office of School Choice at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center.

• Monitor your email and application portal for updates
• Submit all required documents by the deadline
• Attend any open houses or info sessions
• Make sure your contact information is up to date

Contact our Magnet Office:

Anita Jafferali, Magnet Coordinator
📧 ajaffera@houstonisd.org
📞 713-741-2410