The Houston Independent School District will add an Arabic Language Immersion Magnet School in 2015.
The HISD Board of Education voted unanimously to approve plans for the new school Thursday night.
According to HISD, Arabic is the second-most common foreign language spoken at home in the district.
The school will open its doors at 812 W. 28th St. It will have two pre-kindergarten and two kindergarten classes that focus Modern Standard Arabic. The district said it plans to add a new grade level each year as students move up to fifth grade.
"Houston is one of the world's leading energy capitals and it has strong economic ties to the Middle East," said HISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier in a statement. "Those factors combine to create a significant demand in our city for Arabic language fluency — and we want to meet that demand."
HISD said families interested in the program can begin applying Friday.