Education
BY JOEL VALLEY
Education Edition
2025
Welcome to Community Impact's 2025 Education Edition. As another school year begins, families across our community are navigating the excitement and challenges that come with change. From new classrooms and teachers to early morning wake ups, this season is always one of adjustment, growth and opportunity. In this year’s Education Guide, we take a closer look at the issues shaping our local schools. We’ll cover important topics like district budget decisions, campus closures and a breakdown of local college admissions requirements. All stories that aect students, parents and educators alike. At Community Impact , our mission is to keep you connected to the important things shaping our neighborhoods. I’m grateful to our talented journalists for their thoughtful reporting and to the local businesses whose support makes each edition possible. Together, we’re able to share stories that inform readers, inspire community and foster connection. Here’s to a wonderful school year!
What's inside
Learn about the terms and dates found on college applications (Page 12)
Krista Box General Manager kbox@ communityimpact.com
Find out which Austin ISD schools will provide free meals to students this school year (Page 15)
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183 Project Lighthouse supports internet access as demand grows Districts across Bastrop, Hays, Travis and Wil- liamson counties are ensuring learning continues when students step o campus. The details 35 Project Lighthouse schools Katherine A. Cook Elementary School
essential tool for students, many have highlighted that the internet is essential for at-home use. From March 2020-July 2023, Austin ISD pro- vided 30,000 hotspots to connect students to the internet, but funding for the $7.2 million in technology through the Federal Communications Commission ended in June 2024. Now, hotspots are prioritized for specic student programming, according to Austin ISD. However, the district has rolled out Project Lighthouse—an ongoing initia- tive that is improving telecommunication services on campuses and in neighborhoods where internet access has historically been limited. “If they don’t have internet, they can’t connect sometimes with their teachers, their classmates, online homework, and also all the information that’s out there in the world that is accessible through connectivity,” Laura Browder, AISD executive director of technology operations said.
Graham Elementary School
With devices and internet resources provided through their respective technology departments, students can access instructional materials at home. Several Central Texas districts oer tech options for students. Bastrop ISD provides Chromebooks for students in grades sixth through 12th as part of its BootUp 1:1 Technology Initiative, which launched in the fall of 2023. “Having their own device allows students the opportunity to engage with their teacher and other learners or experts,” the district said in a statement posted to its website. Zooming in Although school ocials call Chromebooks an
MOPAC
Blanton Elementary
183 TOLL
Barbara Jordan Elementary School
Austin High School
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Liberal Arts and Science Academy Perez Elementary School Blazier Elementary School
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Akins High School
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SOUTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION
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