Austin ISD Proposes Closing 13 Schools in New Consolidation Plan

Austin ISD has announced a major consolidation plan that could reshape the city’s educational landscape. The proposal, released Friday, outlines the potential closure of 13 campuses across the district as officials work to address declining enrollment and financial pressures.

What’s Behind the Plan

District leaders say the move aims to allocate resources better and strengthen support for students across Austin. Superintendent Matias Segura emphasized that the closures are not tied to the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) recent accountability ratings but rather to long-term structural challenges.

“We have to evolve, we have to own this, and we have to change how we’re supporting our students,” Segura said in an interview. He noted that the goal is to invest more intentionally in underserved communities and improve access to quality education citywide.

The district received an overall “C” rating for the 2024-25 school year, earning a 79 out of 100. Several middle schools, including Dobie, Burnet, and Webb, received failing scores. However, despite past performance concerns, these schools will remain open as part of an approved turnaround plan.

Proposed School Closures

Under the current proposal, the district plans to close 10 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school campus by the 2026-2027 school year. Students from closing campuses would be rezoned to nearby schools.

Elementary Schools Proposed for Closure

• Barrington Elementary (students to Guerrero-Thompson and Wooldridge)
• Becker Elementary (students to Zilker)
• Bryker Woods Elementary (students to Mathews or Brentwood)
• Dawson Elementary (students to Galindo)
• Maplewood Elementary (merging with Campbell)
• Oak Springs Elementary (merging with Blackshear)
• Palm Elementary (students to Perez)
• Ridgetop Elementary (students to Reilly)
• Sunset Valley Elementary (students to Cunningham and Boone)
• Widen Elementary (students to Rodriguez or Houston)
• Winn Montessori (students to Pecan Springs, Andrews, and Hart)

Middle Schools Proposed for Closure

• Bedichek Middle (students to Covington, Paredes, Lively, or Mendez)
• Martin Middle (temporary closure; students to Kealing, Marshall, or Lively)

High School Closure

• International High School (program to merge with Navarro Early College High School)

Program and Boundary Changes

Beyond the closures, AISD also proposed shifting several programs to create specialized campuses. For example, Govalle Elementary would become the new home for the district’s Montessori program, and Joslin Elementary would host a dual-language immersion program in Spanish and Mandarin.

Boundary adjustments could also affect transportation eligibility. Students who live within 0.4 miles of 14 elementary schools and within 1 mile of 10 secondary schools may lose access to bus service. Bus routes will be redefined based on new attendance zones once the changes take effect.

Community Feedback and Timeline

AISD plans to hold several virtual open houses for families to share feedback and ask questions about the proposed changes:

• Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 6-7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 16 | 6-7:30 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 27 | 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 8 | 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

The district’s goal is to begin implementing new boundaries and consolidations in the 2026-27 school year.

For more details and to see how rezoning might impact your neighborhood, AISD has released an interactive map.

What This Means for Austin Homeowners and Buyers

School boundaries often play a major role in home values and neighborhood demand. While it’s too early to tell how these proposed closures will reshape the real estate landscape, families considering a move in the next few years should keep an eye on how the rezoning affects specific neighborhoods.

Areas like Zilker, Brentwood, and Galindo could see increased demand as students are rezoned from nearby campuses, while other areas may experience changes in buyer preferences depending on access to certain schools or programs.

If you’re planning to buy a home or sell in Austin, staying informed about these district updates can help you make confident, strategic housing decisions.

Looking for a home in a top-rated Austin ISD zone or near a newly rezoned campus?
Explore our listings and connect with a local expert at Spyglass Realty to navigate your next move in Austin’s evolving housing and school landscape.

Resources:

• Austin ISD could close these schools | District releases proposed consolidation plan