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Daycare & Public School ABCs for Cottage Grove Residents

Not sure where to start with a search for a new daycare for your child? Curious about HISD and its different offerings and live in Cottage Grove? Look no further than this post for all the answers you need to get started!


Memorial Elementary, where most of Cottage Grove is zoned for elementary

Let's Start with Daycare...


Finding a daycare spot for a kiddo under 4 can be a real challenge, but there are plenty of schools in the area with great reputations.


This is by no means an exhaustive list, but here are some childcare options located in the area that have been recommended by Cottage Grove residents. Many require applications and have waiting lists, so be sure to take a tour and get on the list as soon as you can!


Houston ISD Has Its Own Language!


When your child is eligible for Pre-K or older, they can be considered for schools in Houston ISD (HISD), the local public school district.


It can be confusing to understand the language of HISD, because many of the terms used are unfamiliar. Here are a few helpful definitions:

  • Neighborhood (Zoned) School: This is the school to which you are zoned based on attendance boundaries. You can enroll in this school by going to the school to register. If the school has a Magnet program, your child still needs to apply and be accepted to attend, even if it’s within the Neighborhood school.

  • Magnet Program: A Magnet program “attracts” kids from all over HISD and allows them to participate in a number of special opportunities. These programs are located within many schools, and there are many specialties (especially in elementary), such as International Baccalaureate, STEM, music, and more. Your child must apply and be accepted through a lottery. You apply in the fall before the school year in which you wish to enroll, rank your choice of schools, and cross your fingers that you’ll get into one of them. More information is on this website. It is very hard to get into many of these programs - the 3 typical entry points are kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grade.

  • Vanguard: This means gifted & talented. Your child must apply and take a test and pass it to be considered Vanguard, which makes them eligible to be in the Vanguard program in their Neighborhood school or eligible to apply to a Vanguard Magnet program. The difference with the Vanguard Magnet program is that you have to pass the Vanguard test AND be accepted by lottery into that school’s Magnet program to attend.



Houston ISD Neighborhood (Zoned) Schools


If you live in Cottage Grove, you are zoned to the following schools in Houston Independent School District:

  • Pre-K-5th Grade:

    • Cottage Grove South, West, and Central: Memorial Elementary* - Dual Language English/Spanish program

    • Cottage Grove East: Love Elementary

  • 6th-8th Grade: Hogg Middle School - School-wide International Baccalaureate program; Vanguard (Gifted/Talented) offering; STEM Magnet School

  • 9th-12th Grade: Waltrip High School - Research and Technology Magnet

*Pre-K is a special program for 3 and 4 year olds offered by some HISD schools, including Memorial Elementary. You must apply, and to receive free Pre-K services, you must be economically disadvantaged or meet a special set of criteria. If there are any spots left after these spots are filled (there usually are), they are offered to people who can pay tuition. Tuition for the 2020-2021 school year was approximately $5,600. The program is full day, and Memorial Elementary has both an English and Spanish speaking dual language curriculum. You must apply (do this as early as possible in the fall prior to the year your child would enroll) and then be accepted through a lottery system. Visit this site for more information.


NOTE: Zones can change by the year! Visit this page on HISD's website to look at the zoning maps to be sure where your house is zoned.


We hope this information is helpful to you! If you found it useful, please consider joining Cottage Grove Civic Association to support our work in developing resources like this.

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