A strategic shift for regional transfers
The Lake Travis ISD Board of Trustees has authorized a selective enrollment program that will allow students living outside district boundaries to apply for transfers starting in the 2026-27 school year. This decision follows a board meeting on Jan. 22 where officials discussed how to better manage school funding, staffing, and the influence of local housing growth on campus capacity.
Impacted campuses and capacity limits
The new plan is not district-wide but applies to seven specific locations. These include Lake Pointe, Lake Travis, Lakeway, and West Cypress Hills elementary schools. At the secondary level, Bee Cave and Hudson Bend middle schools are included, along with Lake Travis High School.
Administrators cautioned that while the elementary campuses may have more flexibility, spots at Bee Cave Middle School and Lake Travis High School will be extremely limited based on current community feedback and enrollment projections.
Requirements for prospective transfer students
To qualify for a transfer, students must meet several strict criteria designed to ensure they remain in good standing.
Academic standards: Students are required to maintain at least an 80 average and pass the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR).
Attendance and behavior: Applicants must have fewer than seven absences and no more than two discipline referrals.
Logistical constraints: The district will not provide transportation for interdistrict students, and families must submit a new application every year.
Availability: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with final decisions depending on space in specific grade levels and special programs.
Managing local growth
District leadership is monitoring several residential developments both inside and outside the district zone, such as The Pearl and Villas of Lakeway. During the approval process, some board members explored the idea of adjusting internal transfer policies to help balance school populations. However, Superintendent Curtis Null noted that such changes could lead to staffing challenges if students eventually decide to return to their original zoned schools, which the district cannot legally refuse.
