Grandfathering
On December 16, Dripping Springs ISD announced new attendance zones that will go into effect for the 2025-2026 school year. We are excited to incorporate the district’s new elementary school, Wildwood Springs Elementary, and to accommodate more students with the expansion of Sycamore Springs Middle School. We look forward to welcoming students to their newly-zoned school communities. Campuses will announce transition activities to meet and partner with new families joining their learning communities later this year. In the meantime, we hope your students continue to have a great school year.
Elementary Transfer Guidelines
Rising 5th Graders: Students who will be in fifth grade next year may request to remain at their currently zoned elementary campus for the 2025-2026 school year.
Rising 4th Graders: Students who will be in the fourth grade next year, and have been rezoned to a different elementary campus, may request to remain at their currently zoned elementary campus for the 2025-2026 school year.
A lottery system will be used to grandfather fourth-grade students in order to ensure the campus does not go over capacity. Priority will be given to grandfathering fifth-grade student transfers. A limited number of fourth grade spaces will be available following all fifth grade grandfathering considerations.
Siblings: Younger siblings are co-eligible to grandfather with their siblings while their older sibling remains enrolled at his/her previously-zoned campus. However, once the oldest student completes elementary school, the younger sibling(s) must begin attending their newly-zoned campus.
For example, if a grandfathered fifth-grader has a third-grade sibling in 2025-2026, when the fifth-grader advances to middle school in 2026-2027, the younger sibling must begin attending the student’s newly-zoned campus for their fourth-grade year.
Application Process
Families who wish to apply for grandfathering must submit a Transfer Application for the 2025-2026 school year.
Because enrollment numbers affect staffing decisions at all schools, applications must be submitted by Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Families will be notified by email if their grandfathering application (or fourth grade lottery application) is approved no later than Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Important Details: The district does NOT provide transportation to grandfathered students or siblings of students who remain at their previously-zoned campus. In addition, proof of residency is required when completing the Transfer Application. Grandfathering transfers are granted one year at a time and are subject to district approval.
Middle School Transfer Guidelines
Rising 7th & 8th Graders: Students who will be in seventh or eighth grade next year, and have been rezoned to Sycamore Springs Middle School, may request to remain at Dripping Springs Middle School (DSMS).
Siblings: Younger siblings are co-eligible to grandfather with their sibling during the time their older sibling attends DSMS. However, once the oldest student completes middle school, the younger sibling(s) must begin attending their zoned campus.
For example, if a grandfathered eighth-grader has a sixth-grade sibling in 2025-2026, when the eighth-grader advances to high school in 2026-2027, the younger sibling must begin attending the student’s newly-zoned campus for their seventh-grade year.
Application Process
Families who wish to apply for grandfathering must submit a Transfer Application for the 2025-2026 school year.
Because enrollment numbers affect staffing decisions at all schools, applications must be submitted by Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Families will be notified by email if their grandfathering application is approved no later than Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Important Details: The district does NOT provide transportation to grandfathered students or siblings of students who remain at their previously-zoned campus. In addition, proof of residency is required when completing the Transfer Application. Grandfathering transfers are granted one year at a time and are subject to district approval.