An Austin Independent School District sign is seen on the outside of the headquarters building on Thursday, June 11, 2026. KAYLEE GREENLEE FOR AUSTIN CURRENT
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Austin ISD’s proposal to close Paredes Middle School just weeks before the start of the 2026-27 school year has left families and staff scrambling for answers.

If approved by the school board next week, Paredes would become the 11th Austin ISD school building to close since November, and the first in years to shut down specifically because of concerns over its academic performance rather than the district’s broader facilities consolidation plan (though seven of the 10 schools trustees voted to close also were on improvement plans).

Here’s what to know:

Why does Austin ISD want to close Paredes?

District leaders said Paredes has not made enough academic progress despite years of intervention and support.

The campus was one of two dozen schools in Austin ISD operating under state-mandated improvement plan during the 2025-26 school year after receiving three consecutive failing state accountability ratings.

Austin ISD leaders said closing the school would allow students to move to campuses with more academic resources, expanded programs and additional extracurricular opportunities.

Employee union Education Austin said Austin ISD leaders told the group they expect Paredes would receive a fourth failing accountability rating when scores are released in mid-August. The district has not publicly confirmed that expectation.

Why does another failing rating matter?

The closure comes as Austin ISD faces growing pressure from the state over other struggling middle schools.

State accountability ratings for Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools also are expected in mid-August. If any of those campuses receive a fifth consecutive failing rating, Texas law requires Education Commissioner Mike Morath to either close the campus or replace Austin ISD’s elected school board with a state-appointed board of managers.

Earlier this week, Austin ISD also ended its partnership with the Texas Council for International Studies, a nonprofit that had been expected to operate the three middle schools and help turn them around. However, TEA in May rejected the district’s request to give those schools a two-year accountability reprieve under the state’s SB 1882 partnership program.

Is the closure final?

No.

The school board must still approve the proposal.

Trustees are scheduled to discuss the plan on Tuesday during an informational meeting, where parents can provide feedback. The board is then expected to vote July 30 after another opportunity for public comment.

What happens to teachers and staff?

Austin ISD said it doesn’t expect any layoffs because of the closure.

The district said it plans to reassign all Paredes staff, while honoring previously signed contracts.

What happens to students?

The district plans to reassign Paredes students to Bailey or Mendez middle schools before classes begin.

Education Austin said in the group’s statement Wednesday that Bailey Middle School would take on the continuation of the improvement plan previously in place at Paredes.

District leaders also noted students would have access to expanded programs, electives, fine arts and athletics at their new campuses.

Acacia Coronado is Austin Current's education reporter. She is a Texas native and has previously written for The Associated Press, The Texas Tribune and The Wall Street Journal, among others.