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 and surrounding towns, the City of Sunset Valley, the Village of San Leanna, and unincorporated areas in Travis County (including Manchaca). The district operates 129 schools including 84 elementary schools, 18 middle schools, and 16 high schools. However, some schools are starting to close down in Austin ISD due to budget cuts from the city of Austin losing money. The district is attempting to find a solution to this problem by incorporating BOND programs.
As of 2013 AISD covers 172.4 square miles (447Â km2) of land within the City of Austin, making up 54.1% of the city's territory.
Academic achievement
AISD considering school name changes - We could be one step closer to Austin ISD renaming 5 local schools because of their ties to the confederacy.
In 2011, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency. Forty-nine percent of districts in Texas in 2011 received the same rating. No state accountability ratings will be given to districts in 2012. A school district in Texas can 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).
Historical district TEA accountability ratings
- 2011: Academically Acceptable
- 2010: Academically Acceptable
- 2009: Academically Acceptable
- 2008: Academically Acceptable
- 2007: Academically Acceptable
- 2006: Academically Acceptable
- 2005: Academically Acceptable
- 2004: Academically Acceptable
Finances
Like other Texas public school districts, AISD 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; AISD's most recent bond election was in 2013.
List of superintendents
- John B. Winn â€" 1881â€"1894
- Prof. Thomas Green Harris â€" 1895â€"1903
- Arthur N. McCallum Sr. â€" 1903â€"1942
- Dr. Russell Lewis â€" 1942â€"1947
- Dr. J.W. Edgar â€" 1947â€"1950
- Dr. Irby B. Carruth â€" 1950â€"1970
- Dr. Jack L. Davidson â€" 1970â€"1980
- Dr. John Ellis â€" 1980â€"1990
- Dr. Gonzalo Garza (Interim) â€" 1990â€"1991
- Dr. Jim B. Hensley â€" 1991â€"1992
- Dr. Terry N. Bishop (Interim) â€" 1993â€"1994
- Dr. James Fox Jr. â€" 1995â€"1998
- A.C. Gonzalez (Interim) â€" 1998â€"1999
- Dr. Pascal D. Forgione Jr. â€" 1999â€"2009
- Dr. Meria Carstarphen â€" 2009â€"2014
- Dr. Paul Cruz â€" 2014â€"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 AISD 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 AISD 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 AISD 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.
High schools
- Images of AISD High Schools
The following high schools cover grades 9 to 12, unless otherwise noted.
- Zoned high schools
- Unzoned high schools
- Liberal Arts & Science Academy High School
- Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders (6â€"12)
Middle schools
- Images of AISD Middle Schools
- Zoned middle schools
- Unzoned middle schools
- Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders (6â€"12)
- Fulmore Magnet of Humanities and Law for International Studies;
- Kealing Magnet
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- The Magnet accepts students from across AISD on a basis of academic record and provides them with a more advanced program. The Magnet is not housed separately from Kealing's comprehensive program, but provides different classes to its students.
Elementary schools
- Thomas G. Harris- Early College Preparatory
- Images of AISD Elementary Schools
By 2013 Allan Elementary had closed. AISD planned to convert it into an IDEA Public Schools campus but the community opposed this move.
Athletic facilities
- Toney Burger Center (Football, Baseball, Track & 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)
Gallery
See also
- List of school districts in Texas
- List of high schools in Texas
References
Further reading
- McGee, Kate. "Black Students Are Eight Percent of AISD â€" and Nearly One-Fourth of Suspensions" (Archive). KUT. Monday May 19, 2014.
External links
- Austin Independent School District