The Austin Independent School District is disbanding a school that serves high school students new to the United States. The decision is part of a district-wide plan to shutter 10 schools next academic year in a bid to reduce a $65 million budget deficit.
Housed in Northeast Early College High School, International High School serves ninth and tenth graders new to the country with specialized English learning classes and academic curriculum. Students typically learn for two years at International High before transitioning to Northeast for their junior and senior years. The school opened in 2003.
AISD will close the school due to declining enrollment — in a year, the number of students enrolled plummeted from 213 to 95. Demographic shifts, state and federal policy and migration patterns play a role in enrollment at the campus, spokeswoman Maritza Villela said…