Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (official site og:image)

Starting school or kindergarten

First backpack, first bus, first “how was your day?” and a one-word answer. Starting school is a big deal for kids and parents. Here's what to do before day one: shot records, enrollment, pre-K options, and before- and after-school care if you're working.

First 30 days

0 of 8 done

Find your zoned schoolHow to Source
Enroll online. AISD's 2026–27 enrollment info is here.How to Source
Check Texas kindergarten shot requirements and gather your child's immunization recordHow to Source
See if your 3- or 4-year-old qualifies for free AISD pre-KHow to Source
Line up after-school care: AISD 3rd Base, or YMCA after-school at participating schoolsHow to Source
Get your child a library card. It's free for Travis County students through high school.How to Source
Ask about free or reduced-price school mealsHow to Source
Have concerns about learning or development? Ask about a free evaluation (Child Find).How to Source

Resources

Austin ISD School Finder

Look up your zoned AISD schools by address.

FreeAustin ISD

Website Source

Checked 2026-10-27

Austin ISD Enrollment

Enrollment steps for the 2026–27 school year.

Free public schoolAustin ISD

Website Source

Checked 2026-10-27

Austin ISD Pre-K (Pre-K3 and Pre-K4)

Free pre-K for children who meet the age cutoff and one qualifying criterion. Examples: limited English, free or reduced lunch eligibility, homelessness, military family, foster care, or a parent who is an AISD teacher. Pre-K4 is generally full-day. Pre-K3 is usually half-day, with full-day options at some partner campuses.

Free if eligible (tuition options listed on the page)Austin ISD

Website Source

Checked 2026-10-27

Texas DSHS school immunization requirements

The official 2026–27 vaccine requirements for K–12. For kindergarten that includes DTaP, polio, MMR, hepatitis B, varicella and hepatitis A. Students may be provisionally enrolled with at least one dose of each if they aren't overdue.

Free informationStatewide

Official PDF: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/LIDS-Immunizations/pdf/pdf_stock/6-14_2026-27.pdf. Talk to your pediatrician about your child's records. This is not medical advice.

Website Source

Checked 2026-10-27