Facing possible state takeover, Austin’s school board tapped the Texas Council for International Studies to manage three failing middle schools.

AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Independent School District’s Board of Trustees has approved a partnership with a Dallas-based nonprofit to take over operations at three struggling middle schools. It’s all an effort to improve academic performance and avoid a state takeover.

The board voted Thursday to hand over control of Dobie, Webb and Burnet middle schools to the Texas Council for International Studies (TCIS). All three campuses received their fourth consecutive “F” ratings from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) last year.

Under Texas law, if a public school receives five or more consecutive failing ratings, the TEA commissioner is required to either close the campus or take over the district.

The arrangement is structured as an 1882 partnership, which allows the nonprofit to assume control of the schools while the campuses pause their state accountability ratings, giving them additional time to demonstrate academic improvement.

“The TCIS is going to bring in an extra layer of support that they’re already doing because those schools are already moving in the right direction,” said Kathryn Whitley Chu, a trustee representing District 4. 

Under the terms of the contract, the TCIS is required to help Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools achieve D or C ratings in the 2026-2027 school year. The schools are then expected to reach an acceptable rating of C or higher for both the 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 school years.

The TCIS specializes in International Baccalaureate education, an advanced academic program that can continue through high school. It’s a globally recognized, rigorous educational framework focusing on critical thinking, intercultural understanding and holistic development

AISD superintendent Matias Segura says he feels confident this is the right move for the district. 

“After visiting the schools, after spending time with the partners and understanding the structure, having conversation with staff at these schools, meeting with principals, I am confident that this partner, this configuration will help us be successful,” he said. 

The partnership must still be approved by the TEA. Segura said final approval may not come until May or June. If approved, the TCIS will run the three schools through June 2029.