Opening August 2027 · Tuition-free

Music to Our Schools!

A tuition-free public charter school in Houston, opening August 2027 for kindergarten and first grade. Music, art, and strong academics grow together.

FLAMA will grow to serve Pre-K through 8th grade.

Rolling applications until school starts · Lottery February 1, 2027

Apply for 2027–28 Not ready to apply? Get enrollment information ↗

Who We Are

FLAMA is built on one belief: arts education drives academic achievement.

Architectural rendering of the FLAMA choral room: students playing violin, trumpet and trombone around a teacher, with a piano and drum kit

The Science Behind Daily Arts

Research with young children links music training to stronger attention, memory, self-control, and the brain’s ability to process speech sounds, the building blocks of reading and math. So at FLAMA, music and art are not extras. Every student has them every day, alongside 90 minutes of literacy and 60 minutes of math.

How we teach →

Architectural rendering of the FLAMA library: yellow bookshelves, a curving F-shaped opening in the ceiling, and students reading and playing cello

A New $30 million Campus Designed by OMA

FLAMA is housed in a historic Houston coffee plant reimagined by OMA, the firm founded by Pritzker Prize winner Rem Koolhaas. It is OMA’s first elementary school in the United States. Music shapes the building itself: an F-shaped opening, drawn from the forte sign and a violin’s f-hole, connects the two library commons.

See the campus →

Map of the FLAMA campus at N. Norwood St. and Navigation Blvd., with on-site parking, near Turkey Bend on Buffalo Bayou

Is FLAMA Close to You?

235 N. Norwood St. at Navigation, Houston, TX 77011

Any family in Texas can apply. FLAMA’s primary attendance area includes these ZIP codes, but FLAMA is open to all Texas students:

77003 · 77004 · 77011 · 77012 · 77013 · 77020 · 77021 · 77023 · 77026 · 77029 · 77033 · 77051 · 77087 · 77204 · 77547

Coming by METRO? Plan your trip to 235 N. Norwood St. in Google Maps.

Full directions and hours →

A School Day That Works for Your Family

School Day

School hours to be announced.

After-Care

FLAMA is in discussions with various organizations to provide free after-school care including music lessons and tutoring.

Meals

FLAMA is developing partnerships to provide free breakfast and lunch daily.

Transportation

Transportation plans are being developed.

A Day in the Life

What a school day at FLAMA will look like, from the morning welcome to music class.

←→

A teacher hugs smiling students arriving at school

Each day begins with a warm welcome.

Every morning, students and teachers greet one another by name before the learning begins.

Students reading and writing at their desks

FLAMA students spend 90 minutes every day in literacy.

Reading deeply and writing carefully, building vocabulary, fluency, and their own voice.

A teacher plays guitar with students holding ukuleles and drums

Every day at FLAMA includes music class.

Music builds focus, memory, careful listening, and disciplined practice for every subject.

Students in safety goggles laughing during a science experiment

Students explore the natural and social world five days a week.

Through science and social studies, they investigate, ask hard questions, and reason carefully.

$A teacher at the chalkboard during a math lesson$

Students spend 60 minutes each day on mathematics.

Computing quickly and accurately, explaining their reasoning, and seeing math in music and art.

Students sharing lunch trays with fruit and sandwiches

At FLAMA, breaking bread together is a daily act of community care.

Lunch is a shared meal, conversation, and laughter with peers and teachers.

Photos are illustrative. FLAMA opens in August 2027.

Members of the FLAMA founding team outdoors in Houston, with the downtown skyline behind them

Who Teaches Your Child

Led by Founding Superintendent Dr. R. Scott Allen: 30+ years in public education, 13 as principal of Houston's HSPVA.

Our founding team is building a school where strong lessons and daily arts go together. Cora Neely, our Director of Music & Arts, brings more than 20 years of experience as a music educator and cellist.

How we teach →Our leadership →

Safe, Known, and Cared For

A Safe Campus

Visitors check in at the courtyard’s entry gate.

Every Child Known

Each day begins with a greeting by name.

Families Welcome

Parents and caregivers celebrate students’ work and share in the joy of music and art.

A student painting at an easel in an art room

Is FLAMA Right for Your Child?

Ask us about FLAMA, applying, or upcoming information sessions. No commitment.

Tell us how to reach you. Our enrollment team will follow up in English or Spanish.

Get enrollment information

This is not an application and doesn't reserve a seat. To apply, use Apply for 2027–28.

How to Apply

Apply Anytime

Start with FLAMA’s online form in Cariina. Need help? Email info@flama.org.

Lottery February 1, 2027

Held if applications exceed seats. We’ll share results with families.

Accept Your Offer and Register

If your child is offered a place, follow the instructions sent with the offer to accept and register.

Get school updates to hear about information sessions as dates and locations are confirmed.

Not ready to apply? Getting enrollment information first is optional.

Apply for 2027–28 Share with a family

FLAMA musicians and volunteers smiling together at an outdoor festival

Volunteer With FLAMA

FLAMA is being built by its neighbors. Give a few hours and help us get ready to open in August 2027.

Families, neighbors, musicians and artists are all welcome.

Ways to help

Welcome families at information sessions and events
Share your music, art or teaching skills
Help Spanish-speaking families learn about FLAMA