Planning & General Enrollment (Before You Apply)

1. How do I know which Austin ISD school my child is assigned to?

All K–12 students residing within Austin ISD boundaries are guaranteed a seat at their zoned campus. You can identify your home campus using the Austin ISD School Finder tool or the Interactive Boundary Map.

2. Can my child attend an Austin ISD school outside our neighborhood zone?

Yes. Families can apply for a general transfer or a specialized program transfer to another school during the appropriate windows. Out-of-district students are also eligible to apply. Transfers are granted based on campus capacity and district priority guidelines—they are not guaranteed.

3. What documents do I need to register a new student in Austin ISD?

To register a new student, upload the following documents into Enroll Austin or bring them directly to your school campus:

• Proof of Child’s Identity: Birth certificate, passport, state birth record statement, adoption record, or previous school ID/records.
• Immunization Records: Up-to-date vaccine history.
• Parent/Guardian Photo ID
• Proof of Address (dated within 45 days): Gas, electric, or water bill, or a current lease/mortgage statement.
• Proof of Guardianship (if applicable)
• Withdrawal Form / Last Report Card (if applicable)

4. What documents are required for returning Austin ISD students?

Returning families must complete annual re-registration through Enroll Austin and submit:

• Updated Proof of Address: An electric bill, gas bill, water bill, or lease/mortgage statement dated within the last 45 days.
• Updated Immunization Records
• Updated Parent Photo ID or Guardianship Documents (if changes occurred)

5. Do I need to re-register my child for school every year?

Yes. Every Austin ISD family must re-register their student annually through the Enroll Austin tile in the Parent Portal to confirm residence and update records.

Application, Transfers & Priorities

6. How does the Austin ISD transfer priority system work?

When space remains after zoned students are accommodated, general transfer seats are awarded in the following priority order:

1. State-mandated groups (children of active military personnel or peace officers).
2. AISD policy groups (children of full-time AISD employees and siblings of current transfer students).
3. 5th and 8th-grade feeder pattern applicants.
4. In-district transfer applicants.
5. Out-of-district applicants with 2+ unbroken years in AISD.
6. General out-of-district transfer applicants.

7. Are siblings and children of AISD staff guaranteed a transfer?

Yes, for the 2026–27 school year, children of full-time, benefits-eligible AISD employees and siblings of current students (attending the same campus concurrently) are approved for transfers, provided the application is submitted within the regular window.

8. Does a granted transfer carry over to middle or high school automatically?

No. A transfer remains valid through the highest grade level of that specific campus (e.g., K–5). When your child transitions to middle school or high school, you must apply for a new transfer to remain in that school's feeder pattern.

9. Can out-of-district students apply to Austin ISD magnet and specialized programs?

Most Austin ISD schools welcome out-of-district families. However, state and board policy prohibits out-of-district applications to specific magnet and application-based programs, including LASA, Kealing, Ann Richards, McCallum Fine Arts, Lively, and Lamar Fine Arts.

10. What are the key deadlines for Austin ISD registration and transfers?

• Admissions-Based & Magnet Applications: Open Jan 5, 2026 | Close Feb 5, 2027
• General Registration & Transfers: Open Feb 16, 2027 | Close April 9, 2027
• Pre-K3 & Pre-K4 Applications: Open April 1, 2027 (rolling basis)

Pre-K Enrollment & Eligibility

11. Who is eligible for free Pre-K in Austin ISD?

Free Pre-K is available to qualifying 3- and 4-year-olds based on state criteria, including family income (SNAP/TANF or pay stubs), confirmed Emergent Bilingual status, active-duty military status, foster care history, or parent employment as an AISD classroom teacher. Tuition-paying options may be available for non-eligible families.

12. Is Pre-K4 guaranteed at my zoned elementary school?

Guaranteed enrollment is provided only for Pre-K4 students who qualify for free Pre-K and live within the school’s attendance zone. All other Pre-K applicants (tuition-based, transfer, and Pre-K3) are placed based on availability and district priority guidelines.

13. Does attending Pre-K at a school guarantee a seat for Kindergarten there?

Not automatically. If your child attends Pre-K outside your zoned school, you must submit a new transfer application for Kindergarten. Exception: Students enrolled in a campus Dual Language or Montessori program are permitted to stay at that campus for Kindergarten.

The Lottery & Ranking System

14. How does the Austin ISD application lottery and ranking system work?

Families rank their program choices in order of preference in Enroll Austin. The system processes applications from highest to lowest rank. If your child is offered a seat at a higher-ranked program, lower-ranked applications are automatically withdrawn. If offered a lower-ranked choice, you are placed on waitlists for your higher choices.

15. Can my child be offered a seat at more than one school at a time?

No. Students can hold only one seat offer at a time. Accepting a new offer in a secondary application round or enrolling at your zoned school will automatically decline any previously accepted seat.

16. What happens if my child is waitlisted for all selected choices?

If your child is waitlisted at all selected campuses, your seat at your zoned neighborhood school remains 100% guaranteed. Enrolling at your home school will not compromise your position on any waitlist.