5th Grade Transition to Middle School

Hello Joslin parents and students! 

If you are in 5th grade (or even in 4th!) it's time to start learning about our schools of choice in Austin ISD (sometimes called Magnet Schools).  I hope this information is helpful as you navigate the next chapter of your education!

25-26 NOTE: Many links have not been updated for the new school year. Also, consolidation decisions are coming, which will affect middle school choices for next year. Please return-- I'm checking for updates frequently!

Magnet Presentation for 5th grade Joslin Students (in classrooms) is Thursday, October 9 at 9am (students only). Please be sure your child is at school to hear about their choices!

Our "feeder" campus is Covington Middle School:  

If you live in Joslin's attendance zone (not a transfer student) our school "feeds into" Covington Middle School, so our students who enroll there will automatically access the excellent arts program the school has to offer.  However, if you want a course of study in your choice of art form you will need to apply to the program itself for acceptance. 

Covington Fine Arts Academy Strands:  Band (including Jazz and steel drum bands), Orchestra, Choir, Classical Guitar, Dance, Digital Arts, Visual Arts, Theatre.

TRANSFERS:

If you are interested in a transfer to a middle school, visit the same place as the application portal: ENROLL AUSTIN. 

You can apply for a transfer to Covington or Small and still participate in its programs, but non-applicants may not be guaranteed classes, as would those who are accepted to their programs. If you are not in the Covington attendance zone, (or in the zone for the school you transfer to) no bus transportation is provided.

Buses are available to all students living in AISD boundaries for the following schools (application required). Bus information HERE: 

Lively Middle School, Kealing Middle School, and Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. Bertha Sadler-Means Young Women's Leadership Academy, Gus Garcia Young Mens Leadership Academy

You may apply to the following programs, but bus transportation is not provided: 

Small Green Tech Academy, Covington Fine Arts (non-attendance zone students), Lamar Fine Arts

See the links below  ⤵️ for information about the schools our district has to offer.

How to Apply to the Magnet Schools?    

Go to ENROLL AUSTIN  https://www.austinisd.org/enroll

THEN, go to each school's website to finish additional pieces (sign up for testing dates, essays, video submissions, etc.)  

The buttons below   ⤵️  will help you with each school's application.

This process is very time-consuming. Do not wait until the last minute!

You will need the teachers emails:

juan.barrientos2@austinisd.org  Reading/Social Studies teacher. Also science teacher if he is your child's homeroom teacher.

rogelio.rayos@austinisd.org  Math teacher, and science if your child is in their homeroom.

shengnan.wang@austinisd.org if your child receives Mandarin Instruction in math and science.

karen.hansen@austinisd.org for Fine Arts programs

"I have to write ESSAYS? Submit Videos??" ...for some schools...YES! 

Each school has a different application, with different requirements and/or test dates. Click on the buttons below to check them out.

I can help students with essays, but they MUST bring me a rough draft first. I will help at Lunch, recess or wherever I have time in my schedule after school.

Students can ask me directly or their teacher to schedule an appointment.  (I can work with students online over zoom as well, by appointment.)

I recommend students apply to ALL schools they might like to attend, in case they do not get into their first choice. 

When will students find out if they are Accepted? 

Letters and emails are sent home (usually) in MARCH.  Please make sure your addresses (email and mail) are correct in the AISD system!! 

If you have any questions, or would like help with the application process, please call or email me:

Stephanie Turner, Joslin Counselor stephanie.turner@austinisd.org  512-414-2094 Ext 54566