2026-27 Transfer Exception Requests

• Transfer exception requests are for students that would like to transfer into Austin ISD or transfer from their zoned campus to another Austin ISD campus outside of the General Transfer Window. 
• For the next several months as Austin ISD transitions to our new Enroll Austin vendor, all Transfer Exception Requests for the 2026-2027 school year must be submitted using the following link: Transfer Exception Request for Current Year 26-27 
• These requests are to change schools immediately for the current year only. Requests to transfer for the 27-28 school year will begin in the second semester. Find out more (here–Link)
• This is a temporary change that is different from how Transfer Exception Requests have previously been submitted.
• We will provide additional updates later this Spring.

Transfer Basics

• Future transfers require a transfer application in Enroll Austin.
• Starting on November 3rd and for the next several months, all current year transfers require a completion of a separate Transfer Exception Request form. The form can be accessed via the parent portal or this link. This form is used if you would like to request a change of school or to join Austin ISD to start immediately in the 2026-2027 school year. This is not used to request a transfer for the 27-28 school year. See transfer registration dates here.

• Transfer applications must be submitted within the dates provided for each window.
• The types of transfers are general transfers, program acceptance transfers, children of staff transfers, and sibling transfers. 
• Out-of-district families are welcome to apply for transfer to a school within Austin ISD. The following middle school and high school programs do not allow out-of-district students to apply due to capacity or selective admissions criteria:: Lively, Kealing, Lamar Fine Arts Academy, LASA, Ann Richards Young Women's Leadership Academy and McCallum. See Austin ISD Board of Trustees policy FDA (REGULATION)
• Children of staff and sibling transfers are prioritized and will be granted unless the superintendent declares a campus is over capacity prior to the opening of Round 2. This is not under consideration for 2026-27. All staff and sibling transfers will be approved for 2026-27.
  • Children of staff are defined as the children, step children, or established guardianships and staff is defined as regular full time benefits eligible employees of Austin ISD. 
  • Siblings are defined as full siblings, step siblings, or guardianships sharing a household. In order to qualify for a sibling transfer, the older sibling must attend the same campus as the younger sibling when the transfer is granted. For example: if the older sibling is entering 5th grade, a kinder sibling would be eligible for a sibling transfer to that campus. If the older sibling is entering 6th grade, the kinder sibling would not be eligible for a sibling transfer to the elementary school that the older sibling is departing. 
• Once a transfer has been granted, it will continue through the highest grade level of that school, as long as the student remains in good standing.
• Transfers do not continue across grade bands. Students who complete the highest grade at a school have a higher priority to the next grade band within the feeder pattern of the school they completed, but must apply and have a new transfer granted, dependent on capacity. 

General transfers

• General transfers open February 16, 2026
• General transfers are limited within the enrollment capacity of a school. 
• General transfers are assigned by lottery using the Enrollment Priorities.