Click here to see a list of Blue Ribbon Schools.

See Also:

• Texas Education Agency
• Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired
• Texas School for the Deaf

Public Schools

Families in Austin are required to purchase school supplies for their children and often contribute to other supplies for the class including snacks and paper goods. Some schools offer a pre-packaged school supply set for children to order for the next school year. This and other benchmarks of elementary school life such as school photos, t-shirt sales, and yearbooks often stand as PTA fundraisers and support special programs in your child’s school. Art, PE, and Music are often taught on a rotation in public elementary schools with after-school programs available for more in-depth participation in these and other math or science areas. 

Elementary School

The first day of Kindergarten, a child’s entrance into the Elementary School realm,  is a day that they may not remember but parents never forget! Children in Texas who will attend public school and are 5 years old by Sept. 1st may attend Kindergarten in Austin elementary schools. Public school age requirements are very strict; many private school programs will assess your child’s needs and consider earlier enrollment. For children who are not quite ready to make the jump to elementary school there are transitional or Pre-K Programs (specifically for 5 year old children) available in Austin and surrounding areas. In some schools the Kindergarten day is shorter than the rest of the elementary grades - check with your child’s prospective school to find out more about the daily schedule.

All programs, public and private have registration requirements that include:

• birth certificate,
• photo identification of the parent(s)
• verification of address
• current record of immunizations (vaccinations)
• for transferring students, child’s last report card
• private schools often require a non-refundable administrative or registration fee