Highlands Elementary School
Highlands Elementary School is a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Primary Year Programme (IB-PYP). Highlands Elementary offers a comprehensive STEM education program grounded in the engineering design process which encourages hands-on exploration and problem-solving. Students engage in projects that apply science, technology, engineering, and math to real-world challenges.
Apply to Highlands Elementary
Application Information
The application is for families that do not reside within the school’s designated attendance zone and want their student attend Highlands Elementary School. Students residing within the designated attendance zone for Highlands Elementary do not need to apply. Students who currently attend Highlands Elementary on an approved transfer and continue to meet all criteria are grandfathered and do not need to reapply.
Parents wishing to apply for their child to attend Highlands Elementary entering first grade in the 2026-2027 school year must complete an online application (available Dec. 15 - Jan. 16). Applications will be reviewed by a New Caney ISD committee. Students residing within NCISD boundaries who meet the follow-ing eligibility criteria will be entered into a lottery for selection:
- Attendance Requirement: Students must have an attendance rate of at least 90% and no more than four unexcused absences in the previous school year.
- Discipline Record: Students must not have any discipline incidents on record for the prior year.
- Enrollment Requirement: Students must reside within the New Caney ISD attendance zone and have completed the prior academic year in a TEA accredited school.
- 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 December 15, 2025 and closing January 16, 2026. Parents will be notified of acceptance and must accept their child's enrollment within 7 days of notification.
Highlands Elementary School is a Candidate School* for the Primary Years Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. These are schools that share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Highlands Elementary believes is important for our students.
*Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its four academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme, or the Career-related Programme (CP). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit www.ibo.org.