How to Get Accepted to Texas’s Top High Schools

Does your family have an academically-gifted middle schooler? Are you looking for a high school experience that will challenge them and provide them with the unique opportunities they need to build skills essential to college success? Texas boasts some of the nation’s most rigorous academic programs—including four high schools ranked in the top 40 nationally and the nation’s first early college entrance residential program. In today’s post, we’ll walk you through the application process for three of these exceptional schools and share tips to help strengthen your student’s chances of admission.

Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) – Austin, Texas

Currently ranked #36 in the nation and #4 in Texas, LASA is nationally recognized for its academically-advanced and interdisciplinary curriculum. With more than 100 student-led clubs and a wide range of Advanced Placement courses, it’s an excellent option for students who want to make the most out of their four years of high school. 

Because of its strong reputation, LASA is also one of the most competitive high schools in the state. The application process should be treated as if your student is applying to a top tier college. Students must take an admissions exam, submit report cards, provide teacher recommendations, and even complete a creative portfolio. 

There are three parts to the LASA application: 1) the Enroll Austin Application, 2) the LASA Supplemental Materials Form, and 3) the CogAT Admissions Test. All materials are due January 30th, 2026.

1. Enroll Austin Application

   • Be sure to answer all parts of the application accurately. This application allows students to apply to 7 high schools!

   • For this application cycle, Enroll Austin will be opening after Winter Break, making the Priority Registration window much shorter than normal.

   • 1 recommendation from a math or science teacher and 1 recommendation from an English or social studies teacher. For teacher recommendations, choose teachers students have built a strong relationship with. If students are involved in a club and a teacher is a sponsor, they could be a great choice!

   • Report cards. Students will need to submit their final report card from the previous school year and the first semester of the current school year.

   • Test scores are not required by LASA, but other schools may require them.

   • Proof of residence. Applicants must be residents of Austin ISD. LASA encourages students to submit an Austin City utility bill but also accept: electricity bills, a mortgage statement in the name of the student’s parent/legal guardian, or a lease in the name of the student’s parent/legal guardian.

2. LASA Supplemental Materials Form

   • This form cannot be saved and edited! Complete the form only when your student is ready to submit. It is a good idea to have a document with your answers and materials prepared ahead of time. 

   • 3 short answer questions 

   • Creative work

   • Creator’s statement

   • LASA’s application checklist shares the specific requirements and guidelines for the creative work, creator’s statement, and 3 short answer questions. The prompts are purposefully open-ended as LASA encourages students to demonstrate creativity, originality, and inventiveness with their works and writing.  

   • Students must upload their report cards and proof of residency here as well.

3. CogAT Admissions Test

   • As part of the admissions process, all students must complete the CogAT Admissions Test which is administered on LASA’s campus in January. This test measures reasoning skills with different types of verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal questions.

   • Students take three “batteries” or sections of multiple-choice questions within a 20- 45 minute time limit. 

   • The CogAT Test level depends on the student's grade level. 7th/8th graders will take the level 13/14 test, which is 176 questions to be administered within 90 minutes total.

Texas Academy of Mathematics & Science (TAMS) – Denton, Texas

Like LASA, TAMS is a Texas private school that offers countless opportunities for students to explore their interests and challenge themselves within their 4 years of high school. Students accepted into TAMS receive access to college-level research opportunities from the University of North Texas and a faculty mentor. TAMS offers six tracks students may follow: 

1. Public Health

2. Computer Science

3. Visual Arts and Design

4. Math and Science

5. Music

6. Engineering Pathways

To apply to TAMS, students must be a Texas resident, enrolled in an accredited or state- approved high school as a 9th, 10th, or 11th grader, and have completed Algebra I and be enrolled in or have completed Geometry AND Algebra II by the time they apply. TAMS applications are accepted on a rolling admissions basis (students are accepted throughout the year) with the exception of students interested in the Summer Research Program, who are required to apply by January 10th and Music Track students who should apply by January 17th. 

Students must register with ApplyTexas and complete an application for UNT with TAMS as their first choice major or program. As part of the application, students must submit: 

• An SAT or ACT score or register for one the tests if they do not have an existing score

• An official transcript or report card from their current high school

• Teacher evaluation forms

• Supplemental materials that help TAMS officials further analyze the applicant’s preparedness for college-level study

*Students applying to the Music Track must also apply to and audition for UNT College of Music.

Detailed instructions on how to apply to TAMS can be found here.

The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) – Dallas, Texas

Ranked as the #1 high school in Texas and #9 in the country by US News, only ~140 total incoming freshmen are accepted for enrollment at TAG each year (rising juniors and seniors are not eligible to apply). Students study an extensive Honors and College Board Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum that includes a minimum of ten required AP courses. The application for enrollment opened on November 1st and closes on January 31st, 2026. 

Tips for Applying:

• Find out if you’re eligible to apply. Dallas ISD students are given priority over out-of-district students. No out-of-district students have been admitted in the past 4 years. Students must live within the boundaries of DISD to be considered in-district, and future intent to move to Dallas does not count. 

• Demonstrate strong academic proficiency through exceptional grades and test scores. Applicants must score within the 70th percentile or above for the Math and Reading/Language Arts set of tests (STAAR or iReady) and have an overall average of 80 in core subjects (Math, Science, English, and Social Studies) on their latest report card for the current school year.  

• Select TAG as your first choice school. Last year, all accepted applicants put TAG as their first choice. 

• Don’t submit teacher recommendations. Teacher recommendations and other supplemental materials will not be reviewed as part of the application process. 

• Prepare in advance for the In-Person Application Day. This on-campus assessment is a day-long event of testing which includes a timed essay (55 minutes), math assessment (25 minutes), reading assessment (25 minutes), written interview (25 minutes), and creative activity (55 minutes). On your student’s scheduled test day, be sure they bring a pencil, blue or black pen, water bottle, and fully-charged laptop. To help prepare for this strenuous day, we recommend students practice each of these activities on their own with at least one day where they combine all the activities together to replicate the TAG assessment. 

  • Essay: Students will select and respond to one of three provided essay prompts without the use of a thesaurus or dictionary. The following examples have been provided on TAG’s website:

    • What invention would the world be better off without, and why?

    • If you could change three things in your community, what would you change and why?

    • Using a piece of wire, a milk jug, and tape, create something that will solve a problem. Tell us about your creation. Don’t worry, we won't require proof that it works.

  • Math Assessment: Be sure that you have knowledge of the following concepts and practice questions beforehand:

    • Logical reasoning and problem solving

    • 7th and 8th grade Pre-Algebra problems

    • Basic Algebra I concepts 

  • Reading Assessment: Students will read 3 passages from different subjects and answer accompanying short answer questions. To prepare, try practicing past STAAR assessments—B2A offers free diagnostic exams and practice tests for current students!

  • Written Interview: Students will type their responses to three interview-style questions to share their unique personality and interests with TAG. Students should prepare answers for questions about their hobbies, passions, and who they are outside of school. A great question to practice for is, “Tell me about yourself.” 

  • Creative Activity: What sort of creative talents does your student have? On In-Person Application Day, students will choose an image from a range of options and produce an original written or visual work in response. Explore your student’s artistic talents before the big day and determine whether they should focus on writing, collage, or sketching.

Want to apply?

Gaining admission to Texas’s top high schools is no small feat and success in the application process requires more than strong grades. Whether your student is drawn to LASA’s interdisciplinary curriculum, TAMS’s unparalleled early-college experience, or TAG’s high-intensity academic environment, thoughtful preparation, meaningful teacher relationships, and genuine engagement in extracurricular activities will highlight their passions and potential. By starting early, staying organized, and approaching each application component with intention, your student can put their best foot forward. Additionally, with the right preparation and professional support, Texas’s most competitive high schools can be well within reach.

At B2A, we offer 1:1 admissions counseling to help middle school students become stronger applicants for private high schools and to help them prepare for the rigor of high school classes. 

With our Steps Program, students are paired with their best-fit college admissions counselor who guides them through the process of setting career/major goals, figuring out which high school may be the best fit, and what activities to pursue to develop skills they need for high school and beyond. Students can also purchase flexible College Admissions Services (CAS) hours to meet 1:1 with an expert counselor to discuss admissions questions, work on application materials, and more!