By KEVYN KELLOGG, Four Points News

Four Points Middle School poised to welcome new families as Leander ISD opens enrollment beyond district lines

Parents looking for more educational opportunities in Northwest Austin now have a new option: For the first time, Leander Independent School District (Link: https://www.leanderisd.org) is opening enrollment to families who live outside district boundaries.

It’s a shift district leaders say reflects both longstanding interest from neighboring communities and increased competition across the education landscape.

In September 2025, the Leander ISD Board of Trustees approved the policy change (Link: https://news.leanderisd.org/board-briefs-sept-18-2025/ ), allowing out-of-district students to apply beginning with the 2026–27 school year. 

“This is an opportunity for families who have been interested in Leander but haven’t had access,” said Dr. Kimberly Waltmon, area superintendent for Leander ISD. “We hear often from families in surrounding districts who want their children to experience what Leander has to offer. Now, we’re able to welcome them.”

Among the campuses positioned to benefit is Four Points Middle School (Link: https://fpms.leanderisd.org) , located in Northwest Austin near the district’s southern boundary and feeding into Vandegrift High School, one of the Texas’ top performing high schools in academics, athletics and fine arts. 

The campus sits at a geographic crossroads, making it especially accessible to families from Austin Independent School District and Lake Travis Independent School District.

Principal Steve Crawford said enrollment at Four Points has declined over the past seven years, from about 850 students to just under 600 today. District demographers project it could take five to seven years for enrollment to return to previous levels, creating an opportunity for open enrollment to help stabilize growth in the interim.

“We are competing with charter schools and private schools, and parents deserve options,” Waltmon said. “But we also believe Leander ISD is an incredible choice. We offer academic programs, fine arts, athletics and special education services that prepare students with skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives.”

The Four Points campus is currently staffed on a moderate growth plan, and there are no plans to close or consolidate the campus. Crawford said increased enrollment would allow the school to expand support and opportunities for students while maintaining its academic standards.

“We cannot lower standards,” Crawford said. “We keep standards high, but we’re able to increase the support.”

That support extends across academics, athletics, fine arts and specialized services — areas Crawford believes distinguish comprehensive public schools like Four Points from many alternatives.

Students have access to competitive athletics, award-winning band and fine arts programs, theater, robotics and engineering courses, and advanced academic pathways. More than 75% of students take advanced or high school credit courses, allowing them to begin earning credits years earlier than many peers.

“We start building that capacity in middle school,” Crawford said. “We collaborate closely with the high school so students are prepared for whatever path they choose.”

The depth of support services available on campus — including special education programming, dyslexia specialists, math interventionists and academic support systems are designed to meet students where they are.

Public schools, Crawford said, are uniquely equipped to serve the full range of student needs.

“We are a culture of all,” he said. “Every student has a place here, and every student has access to opportunities.”

Interest from families is already evident. Crawford said he has personally toured students from charter schools, private schools, neighboring districts and within Leander ISD.

“Families are coming,” he said. “We have over a 90% success rate from families taking a tour to families applying to enroll.”

Crawford personally leads many of those tours, introducing families to teachers, coaches and program leaders based on student interests.

“I want to show you what Four Points has to offer,” he said. “If your child is interested in robotics, we’ll show robotics. If they love theater, we’ll introduce them to that program. If they want athletics, band or academics, we’ll connect them with those teams.”

For Crawford, the role is deeply personal and one he believes reflects the responsibility educators carry.

“You’re dropping off your most valuable possession for eight hours a day,” he said. “We take that responsibility seriously. Once you enroll here, I work for you.”

District leaders say that level of engagement reflects a broader effort across Leander ISD to connect with families and highlight campus strengths. Schools across the district are expanding outreach efforts, creating campus information guides and offering tours and community events.

At Steiner Ranch Elementary School, campus leaders and PTA members have partnered to produce videos, host community events and share their school’s story with families across the region. The campus had been on this year’s consolidation list amid district budget discussions, but the board delayed closure after strong community opposition.

“Our principals believe deeply in what their campuses offer,” Waltmon said. “They’re sharing their stories, building connections and helping families see the opportunities available here.”

The new open enrollment policy comes as public schools across the state face growing competition from charter schools, private schools and expanding school choice initiatives – prompted by the Education Freedom Accounts (Link: https://educationfreedom.texas.gov) , or vouchers as they are commonly referred to.

For Crawford, the response is not to retreat, but to demonstrate what strong public schools can provide.

“We have to constantly evaluate what we’re doing,” he said. “We only get three years with your child, and this community expects excellence.”

He believes Four Points’ greatest strength is not just its programs, but its culture.

“It’s a family decision to attend here,” Crawford said. “Connection matters. Being accessible matters. Supporting students matters.”

As Leander ISD opens enrollment (Link: https://begin.leanderisd.org/interest-form)  beyond its boundaries for the first time, campuses like Four Points Middle School are stepping into a new role — not just as neighborhood schools, but as destinations.

“We want families to see what’s possible here,” Crawford said. “Wherever you were before, we’ll work to make it better here.”Campuses in the Four Points Area open to out of district transfers: Elementary: Grandview HillsLaura Welch BushRiver PlaceRiver RidgeSteiner RanchMiddle: Canyon RidgeFour PointsHigh: Vandegrift

Leander ISD Transfer Interest form: https://begin.leanderisd.org

Administrative Guidelines for Transfers: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MZdogts8s4aqFUXUPx1kkfzvChCRGV-i/view

More information on 

Leander ISD Open Enrollment

Application Window:

Feb. 2 – May 29, 2026

Notification/ Award dates:

• Week of April 27, 2026 (apply by April 1)
• Week of June 8, 2026 (apply by May 29)

Eligibility:

• Resident and nonresident students
• Current or future students
• Kindergarten through 12th grade
• Students must be in good standing based on attendance, grades and discipline