Dec. 1, 2023 – San Antonio ISD today is launching a new enrollment process that will better serve families and prioritize students at schools impacted by the recently approved rightsizing recommendation.

The process will be clearer, with more consistent guidance and transparency for families, which will improve their experience and help make them feel more welcomed. The new process also will result in shorter waitlists. Additionally, more students will be matched to their preferred schools through a process that prioritizes students who live in the district and those who are economically disadvantaged.

The new enrollment process is part of the district’s Empower Plan, which is designed to support families and staff through the rightsizing transition and ensure they feel welcomed at their new home campuses next school year.

Additionally, videos are being created to assist families in better understanding the school choice process.

“The Office of Access and Enrollment is committed to providing VIP customer service to our students and families impacted by rightsizing,” said Diane Fernandez, executive director of the Office of Access, Enrollment and Retention. “This includes providing one-on-one support while families select a campus that meets the needs of their child.”

Under the new choice lottery system called “Avela,” families will rank their schools according to preference. Families also can use the Avela Explore school finder application to research schools. Additionally, families have access to virtual school tours to get a feel for each campus.

The Avela system will assign the applicant a single best offer. A single best offer is the school the student ranked the highest, for which the student is eligible and the school has space, based on priority groups.

During the choice lottery process, eligible applicants will be considered in this order:
1. Enrolled in a school impacted by rightsizing
2. Enrolled in a school designated by the Texas Education Agency as a Comprehensive & Targeted Support School
3. A sibling of a student enrolled at the same school/program
4. A child of a full-time SAISD employee
5. All other applicants

The students will be placed on waitlists only for schools ranked higher on their applications than the school that has space for them.

Applications for the 2024-2025 school year open Dec. 1 at www.saisd.net/enroll. The deadline to submit applications is Feb. 15.

Important dates:
Dec. 1 – Application window opens for 2024-2025 school year
Feb. 15 – Deadline to submit application for lottery
March 1 – Lottery results are announced and registration begins
March 19 – Offers from waitlist begin
March 25 – Deadline to accept lottery offer

For questions and concerns, families can call the Empower Families Hotline at (210) 244-0845 or send an email to empowerfamilies@saisd.net, both of which have been set up just to address enrollment questions. Staff members are available Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.