Northside ISD has both high school and middle school magnet schools, which offer specialized academic focuses in addition to the standard curriculum. These schools are open to students from across school zone boundaries, attracting students based on their interests and talents. Magnet schools provide enriched learning environments and unique opportunities for exploration and growth.
Explore Our Magnet Programs
High Schools
Agriculture Science & Technology Academy provides a hands-on, rigorous education that will equip students for their postsecondary choices. We will focus on responsibility, integrity and leadership development through our courses by providing students real world experiences in the fields of Agribusiness, Animal & Plant Sciences, Agricultural Engineering, Environmental & Natural Resources and Veterinary Medicine.
Programs of Study:
The Northside ISD CAST Teach High School presents a unique opportunity to develop and empower its students, so that they in turn, as future educators, have a bigger impact on generations to come. Opening in August of 2022, the CAST Teach High School will not only ensure students have a strong foundation in educational practices, it will also provide experiences in schools - side by side with mentor educators, coaches, counselors, and librarians.
Programs of Study:
Communications Arts High School promotes rigorous, foundational learning in a personal, supportive environment, developing skills in communications and technology, emphasizing collaborative choice and fluidity between disciplines, creating global citizens and leaders.
Programs of Study:
Construction Careers Academy provides an advanced and rigorous curriculum with a focus on construction technology, construction management, architectural design, applied engineering and real-world experience that will prepare students for studies in higher education and/or a career in a construction related industry.
Programs of Study:
Health Career High School equips students to serve their communities with compassion, integrity, and excellence by engaging them with a rigorous and comprehensive academic program focused on an exploration of health professions and real-world applications of medical knowledge and skills.
Programs of Study:
- Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services - Clinical Lab
- Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services - Dental
- Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services - Medical Assistant
- Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services - Medical Research
- Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services - Pharmacy Technician
- Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services - Sterile Processing
John Jay Science & Engineering Academy provides students of diverse backgrounds an advanced and rigorous curriculum in all core subjects with a focus on Science, Engineering, Mathematics and technology that shows real-world relevance and will prepare them for further study in higher education and their chosen careers.
Programs of Study:
The Marshall Law and Medical Services Magnet School creates a safe, risk-taking environment for students that models and fosters effective communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Our students will be prepared with practical knowledge and skills with strands of study within Public Services: Criminal Justice, Court Systems, EMT, Legal Governance, Public Administration, PreNursing, and Physical Therapy.
Programs of Study:
NSITE High School is San Antonio's premier business and technology magnet school, offering cutting edge Cybersecurity, Programming and Software Development, and Entrepreneurship curricula. NSITE provides unique learning experiences by fostering a spirit of innovation and problem-solving through high quality instruction and specialized courses focused on technology applications, business principles, and project-based learning.
Programs of Study:
Middle Schools
The three-year curriculum at Hobby Magnet School includes unique English Language Arts and Science
courses along with specialty Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses that expose students to the Health Science fields of therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services and biotechnology research and development. Magnet students will be enrolled in multiple advanced courses and will have enhanced opportunities to earn high school credit while still in middle school.
Jones Magnet School creates authentic learning experiences whereby students come to think like engineers and scientists. Every student will be exposed to the world of STEM careers. Every student will have opportunities to explore their passions and curiosities. Every student will have highly prepared and motivated teachers. Every student will have access to world class facilities and resources.
Zachry Magnet School is focused on the growing industries of Cybersecurity, Global Communications and Information Technology including CyberPatriot competitions and Junior Model UN simulations. Our program aligns for further study at NISD high schools in cybersecurity, web development, and information technology. Our innovative learning spaces include a model Intermediate Distribution Framework room, collaborative areas, and our unique “learning-stairs.”
High School Magnet FAQ’s
Yes, students may apply to all or as many magnet high schools as they choose to.
We encourage students to apply to as many as they are able to so they can have choices in which to select from at the end.
Parents of Northside students do not need to create an account if they either enrolled online this year or completed the priority registration for returning students last spring. If they receive a message that an account already exists for the email address entered, please click the 'Forgot Password?" link and an email will be sent with instructions to reset their password. Out of district parents and new to NISD students will need to create an account to complete the application.
Students will only be accepted into one magnet school this year.
Students are encouraged to do their best at all times. A few bad grades can be turned into a few good/decent grades too. We do not discourage students from applying because there could be many variables that are contributing to the “bad” grades. The applications list “C’s” are acceptable.
Transportation is free and accessible to students. The usual arrangement is that students will get picked up at their nearest NISD MS or ES. Or, if it is not within our NISD boundaries, transportation will set up a route for them. Once the student/parent knows which Magnet HS the student will attend, the Magnet HS can set them up automatically with transportation OR the parent can contact transportation to set up their new route.
If a student wishes to leave one Magnet HS to attend another Magnet HS, student will need to wait for the following school year to re-apply to the Magnet HS that they want to attend; given that the student is not classified higher than freshman status, so the student can begin as a sophomore at their “newly” selected Magnet HS; if accepted.
If you do not get accepted in your 8th grade year to begin as a freshman at a Magnet HS, you can apply again during recruiting season as a freshman so you can begin as a 10th grader at a Magnet HS; if accepted.
Letters of Recommendation are not a requirement, but are always welcomed.
Students are encouraged to use their academic support system that is set in place (such as teachers, counselors, administrators, tutoring services, and other opportunities offered) before they make decisions about leaving the Magnet HS to their Comprehensive HS. In the end, the decision will be made by the student and their parent(s)/guardian(s). Students are encouraged to communicate with their Magnet HS Principal before taking such action and then take steps to withdraw from the Magnet HS and then enroll at their comprehensive high school.
Magnet HS located on comprehensive HS campuses collaborate regularly to make decisions that maximize the potential benefits of all magnet students. Students will take some courses at the comprehensive campus as a magnet student. Specific courses taken will vary by campus.
Application Timeline:
- November 27, 2023: Online application opens
- January 16, 2024: Deadline to submit applications
- January 26, 2024: Acceptance/waitlist letters mailed
- February 9, 2024: Deadline for families to accept/decline
Magnet Fairs:
- December 4, 2023:
- Northside Sports Gym, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Beginning at 5:30 p.m. shuttle service will run between Hobby and Rudder to the Northside Sports Gym. A shuttle will also run from Zachry Middle School to the Northside Sports Gym.
- December 11, 2023:
- Paul Taylor Field House for High School Magnets, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Northside Activity Center for Middle School Magnets, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
- Beginning at 5:30 p.m. shuttle service will run between Ross and Neff to the Paul Taylor Fieldhouse. We will also run shuttle service from Rayburn and Jones to the Paul Taylor Fieldhouse and a shuttle from Pease to Paul Taylor.
