Selecting a school is one of the most important choices a family can make.
Jan. 24–30 is National School Choice Week, and we want the world to know that AISD provides a menu of choices found nowhere else in Austin.
AISD’s advanced academics prepare students for college and career, and our focus on the whole child gives students the skills necessary to succeed in life. As the largest school district in Central Texas, AISD has the infrastructure and resources to offer robust academics, athletics and fine arts programs.
Our students’ SAT scores exceed the state and national averages. The vast majority of AISD schools met and exceeded the standards of the state’s accountability system. In fact, 73 of our schools earned a total of 220 academic distinction designations. And our students continue to outperform their peers on the Nation's Report Card, ranking among the top in math and reading.
These successes are due in part to giving students choice. By supporting different learning styles, interests and needs, the varied choices at AISD engage students in their education and help them thrive.
Through a new initiative, families living outside AISD boundaries may now request that their student attend an AISD school. Families who already have a student at AISD may also request a transfer, including the select options listed below.
Elementary School
Blackshear Fine Arts Academy, named a 2015 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, encourages students to nurture their creative talents. Fine arts classes include ballet, music and graphic arts, and special activities include cycling and yoga.
Cunningham Elementary School prepares students for the real world through a focus on leadership, teamwork and problem-solving. In the Cunningham MicroSociety program, students participate in entrepreneurship activities and take on roles such as school mayor and city planner.
Middle School
The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders prepares sixth- through 12th-graders to make it to and through college with a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle. In addition to providing rigorous academics, ARS encourages all students to develop real-world service projects, which challenge them to lead with courage and compassion, while solving problems creatively and ethically.
Covington Fine Arts Academy houses a creative learning curriculum in a nurturing culture of social and emotional support. Students develop self-confidence and problem-solving skills while taking classes such as orchestra, theater and visual arts.
The Fulmore Magnet Program offers humanities, law and international studies. These provide the basis for an array of unique academic and award-winning fine arts electives. Fulmore also offers dual-language courses, helping students become bilingual, biliterate and bicultural.
In an environment of brotherhood, Gus Garcia Young Men’s Leadership Academy balances academics and life skills. The academy offers a strong STEM program (science, technology, engineering and math), and community service projects help scholars become service-oriented problem-solvers.
The Kealing Magnet Program focuses on advanced academics, offering a challenging core curriculum. Through rigorous courses and independent learning, students develop their knowledge and skills significantly beyond traditional expectations.
Bertha Sadler Means Young Women's Leadership Academy promotes learning, leadership and community service, and welcomes scholars in an environment of sisterhood. Career and technology classes and a rigorous fine arts program are key offerings.
Small Green Tech Academy merges environmental studies and technology. Students can take robotics and pre-engineering courses in a state-of-the-art technology facility, and learn outdoors in the academy’s greenhouse, chicken coop and Japanese garden.
High School
LBJ, Reagan and Travis early college high schools offer students the opportunity to earn up to 60 hours of college credit and an associate degree—all for free—by the time they graduate from high school.
Anderson High School is officially authorized as an International Baccalaureate school. IB challenges highly motivated high school students by focusing on higher-level learning skills, creative thinking, interdisciplinary studies and community service with an international perspective on learning.
Crockett High School gives students a unique competitive advantage through its entrepreneurship program. After taking entrepreneurship classes, students pitch a business idea to real investors, with the chance to start a business or nonprofit before they graduate.
Garza Independence High School offers students personalized pathways to graduation through a self-paced curriculum. The U.S. Department of Education recognized Garza as one of the top schools in the country that exemplify best practices for improving outcomes for at-risk students.
The Liberal Arts and Sciences Academy is consistently ranked among the best high schools in Texas and the United States. LASA is often sought out for its quick-paced classes, collaborative group work and focus on research.
McCallum High School and Fine Arts Academy offers an exemplary program for ninth- through 12th-graders to pursue an accelerated arts curriculum as fine arts majors. Students can explore a wide variety of challenging academic pathways, competitive sports teams and clubs.
Pre-K
AISD offers free Pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds for families who meet eligibility requirements. Tuition-based Pre-K for 4-year-olds is also available for $4,656 a year or $517.33 a month. Classes are taught by certified teachers, and students learn skills such as problem-solving, language fluency, self-regulation and writing.
When children have the opportunity to explore their interests and pursue their passion, they are destined to thrive. To learn more, visit austinisd.org.