AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a school wide college and career readiness program that prepares students for post high school success. AVID uses WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, Reading) instructional strategies to increase rigor in the classroom. AVID strategies are best teaching practices that translate to all classrooms. AVID's mission statement is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.  

For even more information, visit the Garland ISD AVID page.

AVID elective teachers:  Kristine Tran (7th grade) and Brenda Speed (8th grade) 

AVID coordinator:  Mindy Ayers

TEA has made many adjustments to our CTE program. While some classes were eliminated, many other exciting classes have been added. Most importantly, we have several 0.5 credit classes for our eighth grade students. Please feel free to contact Mrs. Karen Calhoun regarding these classes. We encourage you to look at the Career and Technology Education page on the GISD website for further details including information about high school classes.

The Junior Youth Government program is intended to introduce our middle school students to how the Youth and Government program works and prepare them to participate fully in the larger high school program when they enter the 9th grade. 

Sponsors: Kevin Thompson and Kristin Pershey

TMembership in the National Junior Honor Society at Austin Academy for Excellence chapter creates enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulates a desire to render service, promotes leadership, develops character, and encourages good citizenship in students. Requirements for NJHS include being an eighth-grade student, maintaining a cumulative average of 95% or better, and community service. Students that had a cumulative average of 95% or better for the first through third grading periods of their seventh-grade year will receive letters inviting them to complete an application.  Once inducted, NJHS members focus on service to both their school community and the wider community outside school walls. 

Sponsors Mindy Ayers and April Roell

Austin Academy is home to a nationally ranked Pentathlon program.  Students are nominated by their teachers at the end of each year to fill two Pentathlon teams who compete in during the springtime competitions at district, regional, and national levels.  

Sponsors:  Bridget Fox and Karen Lambright

Austin Academy is home to an award winning robotics team. Our students work together in teams to learn building, coding, problem-solving, and time-management. Our teams compete in regional tournaments through the year, and we have had teams qualify for state. 

Sponsors: Denise Toliver

The Campus Spelling Bee date is late November to early December. The winner from the campus spelling bee moves on to compete at the district spelling bee in late January or early February. Please contact the sponsor for more information about participation in the Spelling Bee.

Sponsor: Laura Thomas

Austin Academy has several UIL competition teams for our students to participate. The district competition is held February each year. Team signups are usually begin in early September.

Events change on a yearly basis, but often include: Calculator, Chess Puzzles, Dictionary Skills, Impromptu Speaking, Listening, Maps, Graphs, and Charts, Mathematics, Modern Oratory, Music Memory, Number Sense, Oral Reading, Ready Writing, Science, and Spelling. More information about events can be found on the UIL Website.

Campus Coordinator: Kelli Davis

Fellowship of Christian Students is an all-inclusive, student-led organization that meets weekly to teach and encourage each other.  Please join the FCS to learn about being a good person and developing good character traits. You do not need to be a Christian. Everyone is welcome.

FCS meetings are weekly on Thursdays 4:15 to 5 p.m.

Sponsor:   Laura Thomas and Angelene Schultz

Our Austin Cheer Squad promotes school spirit on campus and at our athletic events. They are an athletic group of seventh and eighth graders that represent the Austin Academy community. 

Sponsors: Rashawnda Brown

Our Austin Pep Squad promotes school spirit on campus and at our athletic events. They are an athletic group of seventh and eighth graders that represent the Austin Academy community. 

Sponsors: Dr. Bonita Woods

Austin Academy has two Jazz bands that meet outside the normal school day for two hours a week. The Jazz band auditions are open to any student that plays an instrument. 

Both bands compete at the TCU Jazz Festival and have won superior ratings. 

Sponsors: Shane Shinsato and Brittany McCue

AAE Ambassadors are a team of student leaders in grades 6 - 8 who reflect the IB Learner Profile attributes and champion IB's mission to make the world a better place through education. 

What we do:

• Fulfill various hospitality roles within the school community. 
• Service opportunities
• Promote international-mindedness and intercultural respect in our school community. 

Sponsors: Kristine Tran and Kelli Davis