Austin Independent School District

Austin Independent School District is a school district based in the city of Austin, Texas, United States. Established in 1881, the district serves most of the City of Austin, the neighboring municipalities of Sunset Valley and San Leanna, and unincorporated areas in Travis County (including Manchaca). The district operates 116 schools including 78 elementary schools, 19 middle schools, and 17 high schools. As of 2013, AISD covers 54.1% of the City of Austin by area and serves 73.5% of its residents. Academic achievement In 2018–19, the school district received a B rating from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). No state accountability ratings were given to districts for the 2019–20 and 2020-21 school years. Prior to the 2011-12 school year, school districts in Texas could receive one of four possible rankings from the Texas Education Agency: Exemplary (the highest possible ranking), Recognized, Academically Acceptable, and Academically Unacceptable (the lowest possible ranking). For the 2012-13 school year, the TEA moved to a Pass/Fail system. In 2018, the TEA implemented the A–F accountability system for school districts. Finances Like other Texas public school districts, Austin ISD is funded through a combination of local property taxes, general state revenues (such as occupation taxes, Texas Lottery profits, and returns from the Permanent School Fund), and federal education funds. The district also funds some facilities construction and improvements through the issuance of debt by bond elections; Austin ISD's most recent bond elections have been held in 2013, 2017, and 2022. Board of Trustees Members are elected in nonpartisan elections and serve four year terms. Positions 1-7 are elected in single-member districts, while positions 8 and 9 are elected at-large. List of superintendents John B. Winn – 1881–1894 Prof. Thomas Green Harris – 1895–1903 Arthur N. McCallum Sr. – 1903–1942 Dr. Russell Lewis – 1942–1947 Dr. J.W. Edgar – 1947–1950 Dr. Irby B. Carruth – 1950–1970 Dr. Jack L. Davidson – 1970–1980 Dr. John Ellis – 1980–1990 Dr. Gonzalo Garza (Interim) – 1990–1991 Dr. Jim B. Hensley – 1991–1992 Dr. Terry N. Bishop (Interim) – 1993–1994 Dr. James Fox Jr. – 1995–1998 A.C. Gonzalez (Interim) – 1998–1999 Dr. Pascal D. Forgione Jr. – 1999–2009 Dr. Meria Carstarphen – 2009–2014 Dr. Paul Cruz – 2014–2020 Dr. Stephanie S. Elizalde – 2020–2022 Dr. Anthony Mays (Interim) – 2022 Matias Segura – 2023–Present Demographics In the 1970s white flight to Westlake and other suburbs of Austin that were majority white began. In 1970 the student body of Austin ISD was 65% non-Hispanic (Anglo) white. In the late 1970s the student body was 57% non-Hispanic white, 26% Hispanic and Latino, and 15% African-American. Until 1978 Austin ISD categorized Hispanics and Latinos as "white" so they could integrate them with African-Americans while leaving non-Hispanic whites out of integration. That year it was forced to integrate Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. In 2000 the student body of Austin ISD was 37% non-Hispanic white. The Hispanic student population peaked in 2011, at 52,398 students. As of the 2016-17 school year, there are 48,386 Hispanic students, 22,761 non-Hispanic white students, and 6,578 African-American students. On November 18, 2019 the Austin ISD board of Trustees voted 6-3 in favor of a plan closing four elementary schools. This vote was criticized by many, including Austin ISD Chief Equity Officer, Dr. Hawley who stated that the "map that you have of the closures is a map of what 21st century racism looks like. ... Our process for selecting schools was flawed. It was inequitable." The six Trustees who voted to close the schools were Cindy Anderson, Amber Elenz, Geronimo Rodriguez, Jayme Mathias, Yasmin Wagner and Kristen Ashy. High schools The following high schools cover grades 9 to 12, unless otherwise noted. Zoned high schools Unzoned high schools The Ann Richards School, Garza Independence High School, and LASA have independent campuses, but International High School shares a campus with Northeast Early College High School. Other high school programs The Graduation Preparatory Academies at Navarro and Travis Early College High Schools are officially listed as separate schools from their home campuses, but they are housed within the same building and share many programs. Middle schools Zoned middle schools Other middle school programs The Kealing and Lively magnet programs accept students from across AISD on a basis of academic record and provide them with a more advanced program. The magnet programs are housed in their respective schools, but provide some different classes to their students. Elementary schools Alternative Education Rosedale School- It specifically serves kids with special needs Facilities Headquarters The headquarters are at the intersection of Interstate 35 and Ben White. The 142,000-square-foot (13,200 m2) structure has nine stories. For a period prior to 1989, the Austin ISD headquarters were on Guadalupe Street, adjacent to the Texas Department of Public Safety headquarters. In 1989, the Texas House of Representatives passed a bill allowing DPS to acquire the former Austin ISD headquarters. That building was known as the Irby B. Carruth Administration Building. From circa 1994 to 2019, the headquarters were at the Carruth Administration Center, on 1111 West Sixth Street. That building was sold, along with another Austin ISD facility, the Baker Center, in 2016. Prior to the sale of the Baker Center, it had been used as an Elementary, Middle, and Alternative High school, before eventually becoming AISD's administrative headquarters. The Schlosser Development Corporation purchased the West Sixth facility. The district used the money from those sales to buy the current headquarters. From around July to September 2019 the headquarters moved to the current location. The employees who went to the current headquarters came from those two sold properties and one other property. Athletic facilities Toney Burger Center (Football, Baseball, Track and field, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer) I.I. Nelson Field (Football, Baseball, Track & Field, Soccer) Delco Activity Center (Basketball, Volleyball) Ellie Noack Sports Complex (Baseball, Softball, Football, Soccer) House Park (Football, Soccer) AISD.TV Austin ISD operates AISD.TV on Spectrum and Grande Communications channel 22 and AT&T U-verse channel 99. Gallery See also List of school districts in Texas List of high schools in Texas References Further reading "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Travis County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. - Includes a map of Austin ISD within Travis County McGee, Kate. "Black Students Are Eight Percent of AISD – and Nearly One-Fourth of Suspensions" (Archive). KUT. Monday May 19, 2014. External links Official website