Northside ISD offers magnet programs to help students prepare for careers in fields from healthcare to teaching, engineering, law, cybersecurity, agriculture, and construction. Starting in November 2024, Northside ISD magnet schools will began accepting applications for enrollment for the 2025–26 school year; the enrollment window continues until January 2025. We have put together a guide to help you learn more about the range of magnet schools at Northside ISD and take steps to enroll your child for the next school year.
About Northside ISD
Northside ISD is the largest school district in San Antonio, educating over 101,000 students at 125 campuses. There are 11 magnet programs offered at middle and high schools in Northside ISD. In addition, the district offers Career and Technical Education (CTE) and industry certifications.
Families living within the boundaries of Northside ISD can exercise school choice by applying for a transfer to another campus with the district.
Northside ISD Magnet Schools
When researching magnet schools at Northside ISD, families should look at the unique features of each program. Eight magnet programs are at high schools (grades 9–12) and three are at middle schools (grades 6–8). Northside ISD earned a B rating on its most recent (2022) district report card; the list below includes links to school report cards for each program or host campus.
Agriculture Science & Technology Academy
The Agriculture Science & Technology Academy is located on the campus of Sandra Day O’Connor High School. The programs of study include Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems, Animal Science, Food Science and Technology, and Plant Science.
Agriculture Science & Technology Academy: 12221 Leslie Rd. Helotes, TX 78023 (map); 210-397-4779; grades 9–12; O’Connor school report card—rated A (2022)
CAST Teach High School is a partnership school that prepares future teachers for careers in education. The program is located on the campus of John Paul Stevens High School. CAST Teach offers programs of study in Early Learning and Teaching and Training. Read more in our guide to CAST Schools.
CAST Teach High School: 600 N. Ellison Dr., San Antonio, TX 78251 (map); 210-398-2850; grades 9–12; Stevens school report card—rated C (2022)
Communications Arts High School
Communications Arts High School is located on the campus of William Taft High School. Programs of study include Digital Communications—Audio Video Production, Graphic Design and Interactive Media—Animation.
Communications Arts High School: 11600 Culebra Rd., San Antonio, TX 78253 (map); 210-397-6043; grades 9–12; Taft school report card—rated B (2022)
Construction Careers Academy is located on the campus of Earl Warren High School. Programs of study include Architectural Drafting and Design, Carpentry, Civil Engineering, Construction Management and Inspection, Electrical, and Plumbing and Pipefitting.
Construction Careers Academy: 9411 Military Dr. W., San Antonio, TX 78251 (map); 210-397-4294; grades 9–12; Warren school report card—rated B (2022)
Health Career High School is a standalone magnet campus in the Medical Center area. Programs of study include Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services for Clinical Lab, Dental, Medical Assistant, Medical Research, Pharmacy Technician, and Sterile Processing. Health Careers often shows up on lists of the best schools in San Antonio.
Health Career High School: 4646 Hamilton Wolfe, San Antonio TX, 78229 (map); 210-397-5400; grades 9–12; school report card—rated A (2022)
John Jay Science & Engineering Academy
John Jay Science & Engineering Academy is located on the campus of Jay High School. Programs of study include Biomedical Science, Engineering Foundations, Programming and Software Development, and Robotics and Automation Technology.
John Jay Science & Engineering Academy: 7611 Marbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78227 (map); 210-397-2773; grades 9–12; Jay school report card—rated C (2022)
Marshall Law & Medical Services
Marshall Law & Medical Services Magnet is located on the campus of John Marshall High School. Programs of study include Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services—EMT; Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services—Exercise Science, Wellness and Restoration; Government and Public Administration; Law Enforcement; Legal Studies; and Nursing Science.
Marshall Law & Medical Services: 8000 Lobo Ln., San Antonio, TX 78240 (map); 210-397-7194; grades 9–12; Marshall school report card—rated C (2022)
NSITE High School is located on the campus of Oliver Wendell Holmes High School. NSITE offers programs of study in Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurship, and Programming and Software Development.
NSITE High School: 6500 Ingram Rd., San Antonio TX, 78238 (map); 210-397-7070; grades 9–12; Holmes school report card—rated C (2022)
Hobby Magnet School is located on the campus of William Hobby Middle School. Students at Hobby have access to unique courses in English Language Arts, as well as CTE courses in health sciences.
Hobby Magnet School: 11843 Vance Jackson, San Antonio TX, 78230 (map); 210-397-6280; grades 6–8; Hobby school report card—rated C (2022)
Jones Magnet School is located on the campus of Anson Jones Middle School. At Jones, students get a preview of the world of STEM careers, and have learning experiences that help them think like engineers and scientists.
Jones Magnet School: 1256 Pinn Rd., San Antonio TX, 78227 (map); 210-397-2230; grades 6–8; Jones school report card—not rated (2022)
Zachry Magnet School is located on the campus of H.B. Zachry Middle School. Programs offered at Zachry include cybersecurity, global communications, and information technology, featuring CyberPatriot competitions and Junior Model UN simulations.
Zachry Magnet School: 9410 Timber Path, San Antonio TX, 78250 (map); 210-397-7490; grades 6–8; Zachry school report card—rated C (2022)
You can find campus information about magnet and choice schools in Northside (and other districts) on our Schools Guide page.
Northside ISD Enrollment and Registration
To register their students at Northside ISD magnet schools, families can apply online. The enrollment timeline for the 2025–26 school year has yet to be announced, but based on past experience, the enrollment window will open in late November 2024 and will continue through mid January 2025. Read more in the FAQs.
Northside ISD will host magnet fairs in December 2024.
We recommend following these Northside ISD social media accounts.
In addition, please join the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group on Facebook to post questions and search for previous discussions about Northside ISD enrollment at magnet schools.
Student Experience at Northside ISD Magnet Schools
Students enrolled in magnet schools are often able to participate in athletics and extracurricular activities at the campus where their magnet program is located. The leaders of magnet programs coordinate with the principals of the comprehensive high schools where the magnet schools are located. Magnet students will take some courses at the comprehensive campus.
Northside ISD provides transportation for students who live in the district and are attending magnet schools.
Organizations that Lift Up Northside ISD
Here is a list of organizations that support success at Northside ISD.
By continuing to offer and expand their magnet programs, Northside ISD is responding to the needs of its students and their families who are looking for career opportunities after graduation. In addition, Northside ISD is listening to feedback from the San Antonio business community about the skilled workforce that they will need in the future. We hope this guide is helpful to students, parents, and caregivers who are looking for magnet programs that offer unique learning models.
Read More About Northside ISD Magnet Schools
- “Three John Jay Science & Engineering Academy grads headed to coveted US Naval Academy,” Patty Santos, KSAT, May 22, 2024
- “Guide to Enrolling in CAST Schools and Advanced Learning Academy for 2024–25,” San Antonio Charter Moms, April 11, 2024
- “Local plumbing teacher wins $50,000 teaching excellence award,” News 4, October 4, 2023
- “As teacher shortages loom, one district grows future educators in high school,” Cory Turner, NPR, April 25, 2023
- “‘A lot at stake:’ To compete, San Antonio neighborhood schools focus on careers, culture and college,” Danya Perez, San Antonio Express-News, February 20, 2023
- “It’s Always Tractor Time for This San Antonio High Schooler,” Kathleen Petty, San Antonio Magazine, January 28, 2023
- “Shortages worsening, San Antonio schools look for ways to repair broken teacher pipeline,” Danya Perez, Elizabeth Sander, and Claire Bryan, San Antonio Express-News, January 17, 2023
- “Hands-on cyber training teaches students how to keep hackers’ hands off,” Jim Lefko, News 4, August 1, 2022
- “Taking class to the construction site: Tiny homes built by Northside ISD students up for sale,” RJ Marquez, KSAT, May 5, 2022
- “Northside students gain knowledge of UTSA’s cybersecurity and intern programs,” Clowey Adams, Danielle Schramm, Hillary Jean-Baptiste, and Perla Garcia, UTSA Today, April 22, 2022
- “Northside’s oldest high school getting upgrade for law, medical magnet program,” Brooke Crum, San Antonio Report, March 10, 2021
- “Northside ISD announces opening of magnet school,” News 4, December 7, 2020
- “Northside ISD expands popular cybersecurity program to middle schoolers,” Jim Lefko, News 4, December 3, 2020
- “Northside ISD plans new high school focused on developing future teachers,” Emily Donaldson, San Antonio Report, September 10, 2020
- “Northside ISD to open agriculture magnet school at O’Connor High School,” Maritza Salazar, KABB, February 6, 2020
- “Northside’s Health Careers High School to undergo $4.5M renovation,” Laura Garcia, San Antonio Express-News, December 27, 2019
- “Northside ISD Bets on Specialty Programs to Attract Students, Compete with Charters,” Emily Donaldson, San Antonio Report, November 6, 2019
- “NISD opening first magnet middle school, applications open now with lottery,” Gerald Tracy, News 4, October 28, 2019
