Academies Admission Process (Incoming 9th Graders ONLY)


​Which selection process applies to you? Read the information below to determine if you need to submit an application for students out of the AHS attendance zone OR if you automatically qualify to attend Austin High and merely need to make an Academy preference selection. 

​NOTE: Austin High is frozen to transfers through the AISD Office of Student Services for the 2019-20 school year. Because of our special academy model, however, students who live out of the Austin High attendance zone may complete the Competitive Application Process to be considered for admission to a limited number of spots available in our academies.
Step 1: Click here to find your attendance zone
Step 2: Read the different circumstances below and click the appropriate button.
​If the "School Assignment by Residential Address" indicates you should attend Austin High, then complete the Academy Preference Survey (Available January 2020). The Academy Preference Survey deadline is February 1, 2020.  AHS counselors will visit feeder middle schools prior to the deadline to answer questions, but students may complete the form any time in January.
If the "School Assignment by Residential Address" indicates you are NOT assigned to Austin High, then complete the Competitive Application Process by February 1st, 2020 (Note: Application will be available on November 1, 2019). Those accepted will be placed in the lottery based on their first and second academy preferences.
Before you fill out the Academy Preference Survey OR the Competitive Application, please familiarize yourself with our academies.  This short video will help you understand the structure and differences between the four academies:

For students who qualify to complete the Academy Preference Survey, academy assignments are made through a blind lottery system based on interest, and students are typically placed in their 1st or 2nd choice academy. Students who go through the Competitive Application Process are selected based on merit and are put into the lottery based on their 1st or 2nd choice academy.
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Academy notifications are emailed on February 21, 2020 and Notice of Intent to Attend Survey (link in email) are due by March 13, 2020.
Looking for More Information?
Academy Application Timeline
  • Maroon & White Night (Austin High Showcase) - October 30, 2019 6:30 p.m.
  • Applications available for student who live outside of the attendance zone - November 1, 2019
  • Parent/Student Academy Information Night at Small Middle School (all are welcome)- Tuesday,  January 21 at 6:00pm
  • Parent/Student Academy Information Night at O.Henry Middle School (all are welcome)- Wednesday, January 15 at 6:00pm
  • Application deadline for students who live outside of the attendance zone - February 1, 2020
  • Academy Preference Survey deadline for students in the attendance zone - February 1, 2020
  • Course Advising Workshop for all incoming 9th grade students (and parents) who are not currently at O.Henry or Small Middle School - March 4, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Austin High Library
  • Academy Decision letters emailed to students - February 21, 2020
  • Intent to Attend Austin High Survey Completion Deadline - March 13, 2019