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How to Apply to Small

The Application Timeline

Opens November 6th, 2024 - Closes February 4th, 2025

How to Apply to Small

Application Steps for Green Tech Academy

Priority Registration Window: November 6th - February 4th

Step 1: Determine Your Attendance Zone

Check Your School Zone: Click here to find out which Austin ISD school you are zoned for.

Whether you are zoned for Small or a Transfer, you will need to follow the steps below. 

  1. Access the Parent Portal:

    • Visit portal.austinisd.org.
    • Click on the "Enroll Austin" tile and select your middle school student to start.

  2. Check Student Information:

    • Verify the contact information for your student, then proceed to the Intent to Enroll Page.

  3. Intent to Enroll:

    • Select Option 2: “Your student would like to apply to an Application-Based Program or apply to another school.”
    • Feeder Students, Important: Do NOT click to enroll in your home school.
    • Click continue.

  4. Select Schools:

    • Choose Small Middle School - Green Tech Academy.
    • If you are interested in other schools or programs (e.g. Small Dual Language, Ann Richards, Kealing...), Specify up to 7 Schools/Programs and rank them in order of preference. To prioritize enrollment at Small, rank Small GTA #1. Note: you will only get one offer from your highest ranked school that accepts you. 

  5. Click Next Steps:

    • Click START for Teacher Recommendations. Enter the email addresses of 2 teachers you’d like to request recommendations from. They’ll receive a survey to fill out about your student.
    • Current AISD Families, You don’t need to upload documents at this time, skip the document section.
      Note: to families that are not currently in an AISD School, Please upload the most current report card for your student here. 

  6. Commitment Form:

    • Return to this page with your student: After submitting your application in Enroll Austin, come back to this page with your student to fill out the "Green Tech Academy Commitment Form."

    • Note for Feeder Students:

      • Feeder students (Student who live in our Attendance zone) will not need to select an essay date, The Commitment form will not even give you dates to choose from as  Feeder students are not required to write an essay as part of the application process.

    • Note for Transfer Students:

      • Transfer students (those switching from a different school) will need to pick an essay date. This form will provide them with options for scheduling the essay.

In short: Feeder students will essay and the essay date selection, while transfer students
need to choose an essay date from the options provided in the form.

  1. Communication for Feeder Families:

    • Tour dates and choice sheet meetings will be announced through your feeder school (Patton, Oak Hill, Baldwin, or Mills). For students not attending a feeder school, contact Jennifer Newell at jennifer.newell@austinisd.org for transition information.
  2. Communication for Transfer Families: 
    • Once you are accepted into our Green Tech Academy program, we will have a meeting on 4/2/24 to go over choice sheets and carpool information. 
  3. Communication for Out of District Families: 
    • If you are not currently in an AISD school and would like to apply to our Green Tech Academy, Please upload your students Grades in the Documents Section on the Next Steps page. 

How to Get Accepted

We evaluate three key components:

  • Student Grades
  • Teacher Recommendations
  • Student On-Site Essays

You can find our Grading Rubric here.

Got Questions?

Email Jennifer Newell jennifer.newell@austinisd.org

 

Essay Information

Essay Information for Green Tech Academy Applicants

Students often find the essay to be the most intimidating part of the application process for our Green Tech Academy. We want to ease their concerns. The purpose of the essay is to help us get to know each student better.

Here’s What to Expect:

  • Essay Format: Students will write about one of three prompts, which will be broad and open-ended. They can choose the prompt they feel most comfortable discussing.
  • Length: We expect about 2 paragraphs or more, focusing on telling a story related to the chosen prompt.
  • Writing Options: Students can handwrite or type their essay when they come to Small.

Helpful Suggestions for a Successful Essay:

  1. Outline your thoughts on paper.
  2. Plan to write at least 2 paragraphs.
  3. Share a story related to the prompt.
  4. Create a rough draft.
  5. Write your final version.
  6. Use spell check and grammar check.
  7. Take your time!

Timing: Students will have 2 hours to complete their essays. Most students finish in less time—some in as little as 15 minutes, while others may take the full 2 hours. We honor all accommodations; if your student requires accommodations for the essay, please specify this on the Green Tech Commitment Form when signing up.