Enrollment & Family Engagement

All children in the United States are entitled to equal access to a basic public elementary and secondary education regardless of their actual or perceived race color, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, or the status of their parents/guardians. School districts that either prohibit or discourage, or maintain policies that have the effect of prohibiting or discouraging, children from enrolling in schools because they or their parents/guardians are not U. S. citizens or are undocumented may be in violation of Federal law.

Students ages 5 to 21 who have not graduated from high school are entitled to a free public education in Austin schools if they meet the age requirements for enrollment on Sept. 1. Students over the age of 21 can enroll into an Austin ISD High School if required by law. They must reside within the district's attendance boundaries and provide satisfactory evidence of required immunizations or apply for an out of district transfer.

Students receiving special education services may continue to be enrolled in school until they are 22 years of age on or before Sept. 1 of the current school year.

  • To be enrolled in a prekindergarten program, a child must be at least 3 or 4 years of age on or before Sept. 1 of the current school year and meet one of the following criteria:

    • Family meets income guidelines associated with the free/reduced meal program or receives any of the following benefits:

      1. Medicaid

      2. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

      3. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

    • Limited English Proficient – The child is unable to speak and comprehend the English language. Eligibility is based on the results of language testing.

    • Military Parent – Child of an active duty member of the armed forces or is the child of a member of the armed services who were injured or killed while serving on active duty

    • Homeless - As defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

    • Foster Care - Child is in, or has been in, conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and; Protective Services

    • Star of Texas Eligible Parent – Child of a peace office, firefighter, or an emergency first responder who has received the Star of Texas Award

  • Federal law ensures that all students have equal access to basic public education regardless of race, color, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, or the status of their parents or guardians.