The Austin ISD Board of Trustees approved a pilot for the Additional Days School Years calendar to add instructional opportunities over the summer and on select Saturdays at no cost to families.
During the 2026-27 pilot year, ADSY would be implemented at Mendez Middle School and at eight of our campuses with Turnaround Plans: Linder ES, Pecan Springs ES, Sanchez ES, Wooldridge ES, Burnet MS, Dobie MS, Mendez MS, Paredes MS, and Webb MS.
Details
ADSY is a state funding model that supports additional instructional days beyond the 175-day minimum, designed to help reduce summer learning loss and extend learning time. The plan expands academic support in a way that is designed to be cost-neutral for the district and may even generate revenue, depending on participation and eligible funding. It would include:
Campuses on the ADSY calendar will have the same first and last day of school as the rest of the district. Some of the key differences include:
- On six days throughout the school year when other campuses might have a student holiday, students on an ADSY campus would have a half-day of learning.
- Students who need accelerated instruction will be invited to attend monthly Saturday sessions throughout the school year.
- Students will have the option to attend a 19-day summer program this July and August.
During the summer component, Austin ISD would provide transportation and meals. For Saturday sessions, snacks would be provided, though transportation and meals would not be available.
FAQs
What is ADSY?
ADSY provides extra state funding to schools for up to 30 additional days of instruction. The goal is to boost achievement in core subjects like Math, Reading, Science and Social Studies, while creating space for the kind of hands-on, "deep dive" activities that students love.
How does the calendar work?
Campuses on the ADSY calendar will have the same first and last day of school as the rest of the district. Some of the key differences include:
- On six days throughout the school year when other campuses might have a student holiday, students on an ADSY campus would have a half-day.
- Students who need accelerated instruction will be invited to attend monthly Saturday sessions throughout the school year.
- Students will have the option to attend a 19-day summer program this July and August.
Are these extra days mandatory?
No, these extra days in the summer and Saturday are not mandatory. However, students who have been recommended to receive extra supports are highly encouraged to attend.
What Do Students Do on These Extra Days?
These are not “more of the same” school days. ADSY days are intentionally designed to provide focused academic learning in an engaging and supportive environment.
Students will participate in:
- Targeted Academic Instruction: Focused learning aligned to grade-level standards to strengthen key skills.
- Differentiated Small-Group Support: Additional targeted help based on student needs in specific subjects.
- Enrichment Opportunities: STEM labs, arts, music, and sports to deepen learning and spark creativity.
ADSY days are structured to help students grow academically while keeping learning meaningful, engaging and supportive.
Does this cost families anything?
No. ADSY programs are provided at no cost to families. During the summer, transportation will be provided.
Will breakfast and lunch be provided on ADSY days?
Yes, meals will be provided during the summer program. Snacks will be provided for Saturday sessions.
How does the calendar work?
Campuses on the ADSY calendar will have the same first and last day of school as the rest of the district. Some of the key differences include:
- On six days throughout the school year when other campuses might have a student holiday, students on an ADSY campus would have a half-day. The proposed dates for these half-days are:
- Sep. 21, Oct. 9, Nov. 2-3, Mar. 10, and March 26
- Staff on ADSY campuses will not participate in Professional Learning Exchange Days (PLED).
- Students who need accelerated instruction will be invited to attend monthly Saturday sessions throughout the school year. Staff chosen to work during these sessions will receive function pay, as well as be eligible for a perfect attendance stipend.
- Students will have the option to attend a 19-day summer program this July and August. Staff chosen to work during these sessions will receive function pay, as well as be eligible for a perfect attendance stipend. There will be paid planning time as well.
Do all staff members have to work the extra ADSY days?
No. Campus principals will hire staff needed to serve the select students who will attend the summer program, and separately, the Saturday sessions. However, the six half days during the school year are compulsory attendance days for students and full work days for staff (half-day instructional and half-day PD).
How are staff selected to work these extra days?
Staff will be invited to submit an interest form and apply to work the extra days. Principals on each campus are responsible for hiring qualified staff to support these days. During the summer program, principals will hire core certified teachers for 4 hours of core instruction, and other staff to run enrichment classes the other 4 hours. For Saturday sessions, principals will hire core certified teachers for 4 hours of core instruction.