For more info on admissions, contact Vanguard Coordinator

River Oaks Elementary (ROE) is a Vanguard and neighborhood school for grades Kindergarten through fifth.

Please check the HISD links below for up to date information:

HISD Vanguard Magnet Programs

The Neighborhood Program

A portion of each grade level is devoted to the neighborhood program. Usually, this is one class per grade. If your residence is within HISD defined boundaries forROE, your child is eligible for this program. If your child has a sibling already attending our Vanguard program, your child may be considered eligible. Generally, the boundary is defined as Buffalo Bayou to the north, Shepherd Road to the east, Westheimer Road to the south, and the railroad tracks near Suffolk to the west. To obtain the most up to date info on the boundary, go to the River Oaks Elementary boundary map on the HISD website. To find out which HISD schools are zoned to your home, go to the School Zone Search Tool on the HISD Website.

The Vanguard Program

The Vanguard program serves students who have been identified as potentially gifted or talented in intellectual ability, creativity, or leadership. Elementary aged children who live within Houston Independent School District (HISD) are eligible to apply for this program. The Vanguard program is part of the HISD Magnet program. The Magnet program gives parents a wide choice in public education and allows students to develop special talents while enhancing their learning capabilities. More information about the Magnet program and application forms can be obtained from this Magnet Programs link on the HISD website. However, you MUST download the Vanguard Magnet application

All ROE homeroom teachers are certified to teach Vanguard students.

Magnet Vanguard Program
Application Process for 2008-2009

General Information about Applying to River Oaks Elementary (ROE)
Students must reside within HISD boundaries at the time of Vanguard application and while in attendance at ROE.

Typically, more students apply than there are spaces available at ROE.  In order to be accepted into the Vanguard Program a child must both qualify for the program and be selected by a lottery drawing.

In the past, 66 spaces have been available for qualified children entering Kindergarten.  A Vanguard class with 22 additional spaces is added for 1st grade.  Spaces for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade are available only due to attrition. 

Information stated about Magnet Vanguard Program, spaces available at River Oaks Elementary, and dates for Magnet events are subject to change pending approval of the Elementary Guidelines.