In this episode….we cover academic milestones, enrollment deadlines, and upcoming district celebrations for the 2026 school year.

The district has announced the finalists for the 2026 Salute Awards, selected from over 1,500 submissions. These awards recognize outstanding staff across 10 categories, including Principal of the Year and Library Staff of the Year. Winners will be revealed at the annual celebration on May 6.

Families should take note of several key dates for enrollment for the 2026-27 school year:

• Round 1 Results: Released on March 13, with a deadline to accept offers by March 27.
• General Transfer Deadline: Round 2 applications are due by April 10. 
• Pre-K Enrollment: Opens April 1, followed by Early Learning Day on April 2 at elementary campuses for tours and events.
• Visit the Find Your Seat page for more information. 

Austin ISD is proposing an Additional Days School Year (ADSY) pilot for Mendez Middle School and eight “Restart” campuses (Linder, Pecan Springs, Sanchez, Wooldridge, Burnet, Dobie, Paredes, and Webb). This state-funded model aims to prevent summer learning loss by offering 19 optional summer days and 7 optional Saturday sessions at no cost to families. The Board of Trustees will vote on this proposal during their March 26 meeting.

Community and Culture

• Austin ISD Pride Week 2026 will take place from March 23–27, highlighting the district's commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment where all students can show up as their full selves. 
• Spring Break: The district will be closed from March 16-20.