During an Oct. 22 board meeting, Hutto Independent School District officials announced a new attendance‑zone map that will take effect for the 2027‑28 school year. Highway 79 will serve as the dividing line: students living south of the highway will continue at Hutto High School, while those north of the road will be assigned to the soon‑to‑open Creekside High School.
Phased opening and grade placement
Creekside High School will open its doors in August with only ninth‑ and tenth‑grade students. “The community primarily favored wanting those juniors and seniors to stay at their campus,” said Assistant Superintendent of Operations Dustin Barton, citing district surveys that guided the proposal. Rising eleventh‑ and twelfth‑grade students will remain at Hutto High School to preserve academic continuity, control operating costs, and allow them to complete multiyear programs such as career and technical education courses.
Impact on athletics and extracurriculars
Keeping juniors and seniors at Hutto High School also ensures they stay eligible for University Interscholastic League (UIL) sports and academic competitions. Creekside will not be UIL‑eligible until the 2028 school year, according to Barton. Students who remain at Hutto High School will continue to receive bus service, and the district is still evaluating transportation options for younger students who might transfer to Hutto for UIL eligibility.
Transfer flexibility and sibling considerations
In line with previous boundary adjustments for new campuses, families with a sibling already enrolled at Hutto High School may request a transfer for the younger child to the same school, providing additional flexibility for families navigating the new zoning.
Middle‑school zone adjustments
The board also approved revised attendance zones for Gus Almquist and Hutto Middle Schools. These changes aim to alleviate overcrowding at Gus Almquist Middle School and to accommodate future growth in the district.
Community response
Survey data indicated strong community support for keeping upperclassmen at Hutto High School, a move praised by parents who value continuity and the ability to finish senior-year programs without disruption. District officials emphasized that the boundary plan balances fiscal responsibility with the educational needs of students across the district.
Looking ahead
As Creekside High School prepares for its inaugural semester, the district will continue to monitor enrollment patterns and transportation logistics. The board’s decision reflects a commitment to thoughtful planning, ensuring that Hutto’s growing student population receives a stable, high‑quality education while respecting the wishes of local families.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
