Welcome to Small's Green Tech Academy
Thank you for checking us out! At Clint Small Middle School, we believe there’s nothing small about our vibrant community of over 1,200 students. We offer a diverse range of courses to ignite all types of interests. From programming robots in our Pre-engineering program to milking goats for soap-making, and even growing and cooking your own food, students from across Austin come here to explore, learn, and have fun.
If you live outside our attendance zone and are interested in becoming a CSMS Cougar, you’re in the right place! Explore this page to learn more about the application process and to sign up for a tour.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
Tours
By popular demand, we’re excited to offer on-campus tours!
Our tours will focus on:
- Getting a look and feel of Smallville
- What makes Small special
- Meeting current staff and students
- Understanding Small's middle school philosophy
- Learning about our dual language program
- Exploring our Green Tech Academy
- How to apply
Sign up for a group tour here: Tour Sign-Up Form
About Our Program
The Clint Small Middle School Green Tech Program offers innovative courses in environmental studies and technology. We are proud to be a National “Green Ribbon” school and the first in Texas to earn the Eco-Schools USA Green Flag Award from the National Wildlife Federation.
Our unique program allows students to choose an academic track that focuses on the environment, technology, or a blend of both. The Green Tech curriculum features a variety of visionary electives, providing ample opportunities for outdoor learning, project-based activities, and team collaboration.
Over the years, our dedicated students, teachers, and volunteers have transformed more than 4,000 square feet of barren land around our campus into thriving native habitats for ruby-throated hummingbirds, monarch butterflies, songbirds, small mammals, and more. We’ve built a greenhouse, a meditative labyrinth, wildflower gardens, a rain garden, and a reconstructed prairie, along with productive food gardens and orchards.
Starting in the 2023/2024 school year, we are excited to expand our Green area. Click here to watch a video that talks about the future of our Green Academy.
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 2024-2025 Applications
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November 6, 2024: Application becomes available online. Visit portal.austinisd.org, click the “Enroll Austin” tile, and apply for priority enrollment. The Green Tech Academy Commitment Form opens.
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November 19, 2024: Smallville Discover Fair – Join us at Small to learn about our electives. Tour the campus, meet teachers and students, and explore your elective options.
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February 4, 2025: Application Deadline – Last day to apply. The application for the Small Green Tech Academy closes at 4:00 p.m. Any mailed items from students outside AISD must be date-stamped by 4:00 p.m. on this day. Ensure all recommendations are submitted, and sign up for an essay by this date.
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March 14, 2025: Admission Decision Letters Mailed
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March 25, 2025: Deadline for Decision Letters – Students must accept or reject their admission by this date.
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April 2, 2025: Celebration for Accepted Students – Join us to discuss choice sheets. Time: 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. (Zoom or on-campus, TBD).
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August TBD, 2025: Cougar Camp Starts
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August TBD, 2025: Campus Scavenger Hunt
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August TBD, 2025: Parent Camp
How to Apply to Small
Priority Registration for 2025-2026 opens November 6th. Please follow these steps:
Do You Live in Our Attendance Zone?
Not Sure? Click here to find out which AISD school you are currently zoned for.
If You Live in the Small Zone:
- Go to your Parent Portal (portal.austinisd.org).
- Find the "Enroll Austin" tile and choose "Intent to enroll at Home School - Small Middle School."
- Follow the steps provided.
- Return here and fill out the Green Tech Academy Commitment Form.
Note: Tour dates and choice sheet meetings will be communicated through your feeder school (Patton, Oak Hill, Baldwin, or Mills). If you do not currently attend one of our feeder schools, please email Jennifer Newell jennifer.newell@austinisd.org for transition information.
If You Would Like to Transfer to Small MS:
- Go to your Parent Portal (portal.austinisd.org).
- Find the "Enroll Austin" tile and select "I want to go to a school other than my home school."
- Choose "Small Middle School - Green Tech Academy."
- Rank your choices—rank Small Green Tech Academy #1 for the best results!
- Click "Next Steps" and enter two email addresses for teacher recommendations.
- Complete the Green Tech Academy Commitment Form to sign up for an essay date.
How to Get Accepted
We evaluate three key components:
- Student Grades
- Teacher Recommendations
- Student On-Site Essays
You can find our Grading Rubric here.