Prospective Students - Class of 2031
Recruitment and Selection Process
Recruitment and Selection Timeline
|
Dates |
Event |
|
September 23, 2026 6:00 – 7:00 pm |
Academy and Early College/P-TECH Information Night – Virtual Webinar (Link to Come) We are excited to invite FBISD parents and students to our Academy and Early College Information Webinar, a virtual session designed to showcase Fort Bend ISD’s High School Programs. This event marks the beginning of our recruitment season and will provide families with valuable information ahead of our in-person events. |
|
1. September 29, 2026 at Dulles High School 2. October 1st, 2026 at Kempner High School Both at 6:00 – 7:30 pm |
Academy and Early College/P-TECH Information Night – In-person Fort Bend ISD students and families are invited to explore our district’s High School Programs. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with teachers, students, and program leaders to learn about our specialized programs and the application process. |
|
September 23 - October 30, 2026
|
Programs of Choice Recruitment Presentation for all 8th graders across all 16 middle school campuses. Parents receive program information via email. In-person information session opportunity for students and the community. Information is shared through social media posts and on the FBISD website. Private and charter school reach-out. |
|
November 2 – 30, 2026
|
Application Window This is the time for current 8th graders to apply for the High School Academies, P-TECH, and Early College programs. |
|
November 2 – December 4, 2026 |
Validation Window During this period, applications will undergo a validation process*. Valid applicants will receive an email inviting them to complete a video interview and/or entrance exam, depending on the programs they applied to. *The validation process confirms that students meet academic criteria, including proficiency in their 7th-grade grades and relevant STAAR or equivalent test scores. |
|
STEM Exam December 12, 2026
Video Interview due on January 8, 2027 |
STEM Academy Entrance Exam Valid STEM applicants will take the STEM Academy Entrance Exam, which consists of 25 8th-grade level math and science questions. Students will have 1.5 hours to complete the exam, and calculators will be provided. Humanities Academies Video Interview Due Valid humanities academy applicants will submit their video interview. Early College/P-TECH: Application only—no video or entrance exam is required. Students are selected through a lottery process. |
|
February 2027 |
Academy Acceptances Students who are accepted to the programs will receive an email offering them the opportunity to commit to one Program of Choice. |
|
March 2027 |
Academy Cohorts Selection Complete Academy cohorts are final. |
|
April 2027 |
Welcome Ceremonies Academy welcome ceremonies will be held at each respective hosting campus. |
Admission Criteria
The Fort Bend ISD High School Academies are designed to offer specialized programs for academic achievement in a variety of career clusters. Academies are personalized, small learning communities that function within a larger high school. Academies exist to provide specialized learning communities with concentrated and robust course pathways comprised of career and academic classes.
Admission Criteria
- 7th grade grades
- 8th grade first semester grades
- Academy Interview Score and/or STEM Entrance Exam Score
- Completion of the 7th grade STAAR exam or equivalent standarized test
- Completion of all 8th grade courses during the academic school year
*Please note that any student attending an academy outside of the attendance zone in which he/she resides will be ineligible for varsity athletic competition during the first year of academy attendance.
The number of students selected into an academy will be determined based on program seats and campus utilization.
Selection Process
The academy application does not include an essay or teacher recommendations. Students are accepted based on the following criteria:
- 8th-grade student.
- Completed application found on the Fort Bend ISD website during the application window: November 2, 2026 - November 30, 2026.
- 7th grade first and second semester grade and 8th-grade first semester grades in math, science, ELA and social studies.
- Students applying to the Math & Science, Engineering, and Medical Science academies will take an entrance exam.
- Students applying to Digital Media, Global Studies, and International Business and Marketing academies will complete a video interview/presentation. More information will be provided upon completion of the application window.
- Notification of the date and time of the interview and/or entrance exam will be sent to the email address provided on the application.
Living In FBISD Attendance Zone but not Enrolled or Living Outside of the FBISD Attendance Zone
Students applying to an academy who reside in the Fort Bend ISD attendance zone but are not enrolled in FBISD, or who do not reside in FBISD attendance zone need to submit:
- a copy of their report card from 7th grade and first semester of 8th grade
- a copy of standardized test scores
Transportation
Students Living Within Fort Bend ISD Boundaries
Fort Bend ISD offers transportation for Academy students who live within Fort Bend ISD attendance boundaries. Academy students are typically picked up from and dropped off at their zoned middle school. Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation to and from the student’s zoned middle school.
Students Living Outside Fort Bend ISD Boundaries
Fort Bend ISD does not provide transportation for Academy students who live outside the Fort Bend ISD attendance boundaries.