Academies Admission Process
(Incoming 9th Graders ONLY)

​Which selection process applies to you?
  1. OUT OF AUSTIN HS ATTENDANCE ZONE  - You will need to submit an "Academies Competitive Application"
  2. WITHIN AUSTIN HS ATTENDANCE ZONE - If you automatically qualify to attend Austin High you will submit an "Academy Preference Survey"
NOTE: Austin High may be frozen to transfers through the AISD Office of Student Services for the 2021-22 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.

Specific Process to Apply

Step 1: Click here to find your attendance zone
Step 2: Read the different circumstances below and click the appropriate AHS button.
  • ​If the "School Assignment by Residential Address" indicates you should attend Austin High, then complete the "Academy Preference Survey" 
  • Available DECEMBER 10, 2020
  • Deadline is FEBRUARY 1, 2021
  • AHS counselors will visit feeder middle schools prior to the deadline to answer questions, but students may complete the form any time in December/January, after exploring options at Maroon & White Night
  • If the "School Assignment by Residential Address" indicates you are NOT assigned to Austin High, then complete the "Competitive Application Process"
  • Application details available NOVEMBER; essay prompts released in JANUARY
  • Use this link to complete your essay: 
  • Academy Transfer Essay Component
  • Deadline is FEBRUARY 1, 2021
  • 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 March 12 (UPDATED DUE TO WINTER STORM) and Notice of Intent to Attend Survey (link in email) are due by March 26.
Looking for More Information?
Academy Application Timeline
  • Maroon & White Night (Austin High Showcase) - Dec. 7 - 10, 2020
  • Applications available for student who live outside of the attendance zone - November 1
  • Parent/Student Academy Information Night at O'Henry Middle School (all are welcome)- January 12                        @ 6pm (virtual)    ZOOM LINK    Meeting ID- 930 6393 0161   Passcode - 544906
  • Parent/Student Academy Information Night at Small Middle School (all are welcome)-  January 13                            @  6pm (virtual)    ZOOM LINK    Meeting ID - 999 7069 2443   Passcode - 757650
  • Parent/Student Academy Information Night for Private Schools (all are welcome) - January 27             6pm(virtual)   ZOOM LINK      Meeting ID - 992 8834 0594   Passcode - 350645
  • Application deadline for students who live outside of the attendance zone - February 1
  • Academy Preference Survey deadline for students in the attendance zone - February 1
  • Course Advising Workshop for all incoming 9th grade students (and parents) who are not currently at O.Henry or Small Middle School - TBD
  • Academy Decision letters emailed to students - March 12
  • Intent to Attend Austin High Survey Completion Deadline - March 26