Clint Small, Jr. Middle School

Green Tech Academy

Green Tech Academy

CLINT SMALL MIDDLE SCHOOL > ACADEMICS > GREEN TECH ACADEMY

Welcome to Clint Small’s
Green Tech Academy!


Thanks for checking us out! We are Clint Small Middle School, but there is nothing small about us. With over 1200 students, we offer a variety of courses that cater to all types of interests. Whether programming robots in our Pre-engineering program, milking goats to make soap or growing and cooking your own food, students from all over Austin come to our school to explore, learn and have fun.

If you live outside of our attendance zone and are interested in becoming a CSMS Cougar, you are in the right place. Explore this page to learn more about the application process and to sign up for a tour.

If you have any questions please email jennifer.newell@austinisd.org

 
 
 
 

Zoom Q & A Sessions

 

Tours

About our Program

The Clint Small Middle School Green Tech Program includes innovative course offerings in environmental studies and technology. CSMS is a National “Green Ribbon” school, and the first school in Texas to earn the Eco-Schools USA Green Flag Award from the National Wildlife Federation.

Our unique program allows students to select an academic track that focuses on the environment, technology, or a blend of the two. The Green Tech curriculum includes a wide variety of visionary electives, including many opportunities for outdoor learning, project-based learning, and team collaboration among students.

Check out our 2021-22 course guide to learn more about the various electives offered.

Over the years, students, teachers, and volunteers have transformed more than 4,000 square feet of barren space surrounding our campus into native habitat for ruby-throated hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, songbirds, small mammals and more. They have built a greenhouse, a meditative labyrinth, wildflower gardens, a rain garden, and a reconstructed prairie. They also have productive food gardens, orchards, and habitat corridors.

Highlights of the Green Academy include:
  • more than 300 native plant species planted by students
  • outdoor classroom spaces and greenhouse
  • raising chickens, ducks, goats, and sheep
  • composting, recycling
  • water harvesting

To learn more about what some of our Green Academy students have been up to, visit the In Small Gardens blog and follow us on Instagram.

 
Highlights of the Tech Academy include: 
  • STEM Advanced Learner program leading students to high school math and science courses in the 8th grade
  • Project Lead the Way pre-engineering curriculum
  • state-of-the-art Career and Technical Education (CTE) wing
  • classes in robotics, animation, engineering, app design, and more
  • options to earn high school credit with select tech electives

Important Dates for 23-24 Applications (Deadline dates updated)

September 22nd, 2022 - Tour and Zoom Q & A Sign-ups are available - Sign up for Tours: Click here    Sigh up for Zoom Q & A: Click Here

October 17th, 2022 – The Common Application AND Small's intent to apply form become available online

October 22nd, 2022 - Come see us at the District Showcase - Parmer Event Center

November 30th, 2022 - Cougar Showcase - Come to Small and walk booth to booth. Meet our teachers and talk to our students about all the classes we have to offer. Learn More here

January 13th, 2023 - Application Deadline* – Last Day to Apply – Application to Small Green Tech Academy closes at 4:00 p.m.Items mailed form students outside AISD must have date stamp by 4:00pm on this day. ALL Essay’s & Recommendations must be submitted through the application by this date.

February 6th, 2023 - Admission Decision Letters Mailed

February 17th, 2023 - Deadline for receipt of student’s decision letters accepting or rejecting admission

February 22nd 2023 - Celebration for all students who will be enrolling in our Green Tech Academy Program - On Zoom - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. 

July 31 and August 1- Cougar 6th Grade Summer Camp on campus

August 3rd, 2023 - Campus Scavenger Hunt - 11 to 1pm

August 3rd, 2023 - Parent Camp on Zoom 6 - 7:30pm


How to Apply to Small

 

Do you live in the Small Attendance Zone? 

Unsure? Click here to find out

GREAT! You are a CSMS Neighbor!

Since you live in our attendance zone, you are automatically eligible to join our Green Tech Academy. There is no need to go through the  application process, just be sure to specify your commitment to Green, Tech or Both (green and tech) when you fill out your choice sheet in January. 

No, you don’t live in our attendance zone?

No problem. We have a couple of ways for you to become a Clint Small Cougar and participate in our Green Tech program. 

  • Priority Transfer
  • Curriculum Transfer
  • Dual Language Transfer
  • General Transfer

Let’s take a closer look at those options

Priority Transfer

Click here to apply and learn more details

Open January 10, 2023 - Closes January 31, 2022

There are 3 Priority Transfer options

  • Sibling
  • Minority to Majority
  • Tracking

You can put in an application for a Priority transfer if you have a sibling that will also go to Small the same year, You qualify for a minority to majority transfer, or you have been in one of the schools that Track to Small for the last 2 years. 

This transfer is done through the district office of student data management and has a deadline of January 31st, 2023. If you are approved for this transfer you will be considered similar to a student who lives in the neighborhood and is eligible for our Green Tech Academy. There is no need to apply if you are approved for a Priority Transfer. 

Curriculum Transfer

Green Tech and Dual Language

Open October 17, 2022 - Closes January 13, 2023

A Curriculum transfer is for ANY student who does not live in our attendance zone and would like to attend Small Middle school specifically for our Green Tech Academy or Dual Language programs. 

This requires:

Students get accepted based on a point system that includes grades, Teacher Recommendations, and Essay Score.

General Transfer

Open January 10, 2023 - Closes January 31, 2023

General Transfers are for any students who want to attend Small Middle School. They are the last ones looked at after Priority and Curriculum. If there is still room, we will pull in students through a General Transfer. You do not have to do the application and essay, but you will be on a waitlist until a seat opens up. 

You can apply for a General Transfer through the district. https://www.austinisd.org/transfer/non-priority-transfers

FAQ

Q. Can I apply for both a Green Tech and General Transfer? 

  1. Yes, it doesn’t hurt. If for some reason you are not accepted for Green Tech, you can get in on General Transfer if there is room.  



Q. If I qualify for the Priority Transfer, should I also do the Green Tech Academy Transfer?

  1. No. If you are eligible for Priority Transfer, Apply for that. Once you are in, You can be in the Green Tech Academy by filling out the choice sheet like our Neighborhood kids. 

Q. Can I do both Green Tech Academy AND Dual Language? 

  1. Yes and No. You can be in Dual Language and take some Green Tech Classes. But, you can not be in Green Tech and take Dual Language classes.  

 

Q. Is there transportation to Small?

  1. If you live in our attendance zone, and are more than 2 miles away, AISD does offer buses. But if you are a transfer student that lives outside of our attendance zone, AISD does not provide bus transportation. We have a carpool form you can fill out to try to find others in your area that come to Small. 

 

Q. If I am approved for a Transfer to Small can I follow my friends to their High School?

  1. No, Your transfer is good for the 3 years at Small. If you want to go to a high school that is not your “home” school, then you must put in another transfer request to the new school.. 

Please contact Jennifer Newell at jennifer.newell@austinisd.org if you have any questions.