Good afternoon,
You are receiving this email because you have filled out the LASA Interest form or submitted the LASA application. If you have changed your mind and no longer want to apply to LASA, please fill out this form so I can take you off my mailing list.
This is the first of many information emails I will send throughout the application process until the admission decisions are shared on March 13, 2026.
So, who am I? I am Jo Koerth, the principal’s secretary at LASA. I also like to joke that I am 50% of LASA’s admissions department. Which is funny because LASA doesn’t have an admissions department. It’s just me and our Academy Director, Ms. Czaplinski, adding applications to our already full time jobs. It’s a lot of fun, but also a lot of work.
Since y’all outnumber us in the hundreds, the first thing I like to ask is that you try to do your own research as much as possible. I have been working with applications at LASA since 2017/2018 and worked hard to add as much information as possible to the lasahighschool.org/apply page. Please read through it! I am especially proud of the Application Checklist where you can find information on each part of the application.
That being said, every year brings its own quirks. Some of them I am not aware of until an applicant tells me about them. So never feel like you cannot email LASAadmissions@austinisd.org with a question or concern. I am always happy to help. But please, do not be offended if I copy-paste my reply to the website. I am not trying to be rude, it may just be the quickest way to answer your question so I can move on to the next one. (See: being outnumbered.)
Now, there is something really important I want to point out: The LASA Application is for students. Parents/guardians, I know you want to help them out. And to some degree you can. Like by sharing your utility bill with them, proof reading their responses to the application, or driving them to LASA to take the CogAT in January. But the bulk of it is for them to figure out.
The LASA application process is difficult. Most of that is by design. It is meant to mirror the college application process. So once students get to that point in their lives – even if they weren’t admitted to LASA – they already have some experience under their belts. Let them do this!
Parents/guardians, you have your own part to worry about: Enroll Austin. That doesn’t open until January 12, 2026. So until then, consider yourself benched unless your student comes to you for help. (I know for some of you, that’s really hard.) So here are some things you can do to prepare:
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If your student is currently enrolled in an AISD school, make sure that you have your username and password for the AISD Portal (austinisd.org/portal). Make sure you are able to log in; this is how you will access Enroll Austin.
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If your student was once enrolled in an AISD school, but isn’t currently, see if you can find your student’s old AISD student ID number. This will be helpful in Enroll Austin to avoid accidentally creating duplicate accounts.
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Everyone can make sure they have digital copies of their lease/December mortgage statement, and driver’s license to Upload under next steps in Enroll Austin.
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If your student receives testing accommodations at their current school, and they would like to receive them for the CogAT in January, you should request CogAT testing accommodations by filling out this form. The form is due by the Monday before the student intends to take the test at the latest to ensure we have everything ready to accommodate them. (If your student does not receive/need accommodations there is no need to fill out the form!)
If your kid does not attend an AISD school, you should not create a parent portal account. You will create an Enroll Austin account once Enroll Austin opens on January 12, 2026.
Parents/guardians can now feel free to jump past the student portion to the upcoming dates.
Students
First let me tell you, I am so glad that you are interested in applying to LASA! It’s students like you that make this such a great school to work at. I love getting to know you through your questions and applications.
The most important part of my job with applications is helping you submit everything you need for a successful LASA application. What that looks like is writing emails like this, updating the LASA website when new information comes in, answering questions, looking through your submissions and letting you know if something needs to be resubmitted because it doesn’t meet guidelines.
The rest of it is your job and your responsibility. Part of being a successful LASA student is reading instructions, doing research, and meeting deadlines. I want you to be successful, and if you run into issues, I want to help you with them. But you have to do your part too.
The easiest way to communicate with LASA about applications is via email at LASAadmissions@austinisd.org BUT, please remember that many questions may already be answered at lasahighschool.org/apply. So check there first!
Winter Break
The best time to work on (and complete) your LASA Application is during winter break. You will have time to sit down and really focus on it. Especially the three short answer questions and the creative work + creator’s statement.
Since LASA is closed over winter break and not available to answer questions, please keep the Application Checklist handy so you can look up any part of the application you are having trouble with.
If you at least have a rough draft ready at the end of winter break, you can take advantage of the virtual help sessions hosted by LASA Parents in January (exact dates and sign-up are below).
Is there a benefit to completing the LASA Application early?
As far as getting in, no. An applicant that submitted their application two weeks ago has the same chance at getting into LASA as someone who submits it right at 11:59 PM on January 30, 2026.
But, there are two clear advantages.
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I will have time to look over your submission and let you know if something is missing or need to be resubmitted.
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You will have a higher chance of snagging a shadow date at LASA.
Shadowing
Once you have submitted your LASA application, we will send a link to the shadowing request form to the email addresses you provided on the application (not the one that is asked for right at the top, just the ones under “Applicant Email Address”, “Parent/Guardian 1 Email Address”, and “Parent/Guardian 2 Email Address”.
On the shadowing request form, you will be able to pick an available date to shadow at LASA. Shadowing is open January 12 to February 4, 2026. These dates are offered on a first come first serve basis.
Before you ask, no you can’t just submit a placeholder application to get the link. You must complete and submit the LASA Application before you are able to shadow.
Fall, 2025 Report Card
If you are currently attending a non-AISD school, you have to submit your Fall, 2025 Report Card (showing your final grades for the first semester). Since many schools may not release this report card until later in January, you can submit your LASA Application without it in order to request a shadow date. This is the only part of the LASA Application we allow this with! We will then send you a link to the LASA Upload form where you can submit the report card as soon as you get it from your school.
If you are currently attending an AISD school, you don’t have to submit this report card. LASA will eventually receive your grades from AISD.
Teacher Recommendations
You should ask two teachers (one math or science teacher, and one English or social studies teacher) to fill out a recommendation form for you. Once they have accepted, please provide them with this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/
Teachers only have to complete this form once per student. Even if you are applying to several AISD high schools. We all share this form.
I am going to try to send out a weekly email letting you know whether we have received your teacher recommendations or not. BUT, in order to do that, I have to match the name (and/or AISD student ID) on your interest form/LASA application to the name (and/or AISD student ID) your teacher provided on their recommendation. If they don’t match exactly, it may look like your teacher hasn’t submitted it yet.
In fact, sending out that email is going to be my last act before heading on winter break. Now, this email comes with a caveat, I am going to have to ask you all to be cool. If the email says that your teacher hasn’t submitted the recommendation yet, but your teacher told you that they already did, there is no need to worry. There is also no need to let me know that your teacher has submitted it, or ask your teacher to resubmit. I will go over all recommendations more thoroughly after the deadline to match them to applications.
If sending this email gets me overwhelmed with too many responses saying “my teacher says they already submitted this, can you look it up?” I won’t be able to keep sending them.
When you ask a teacher for their recommendation, you can help me by letting your teacher know that it’s important that the name (and/or AISD student ID) they provide on the recommendation matches what you have given LASA. (Maybe write it down for them!)
Finally, please remember that your teacher has until January 30, 2026 to submit your recommendation. They also likely have several students who have asked them for recommendations. So even though it may stress you out, this is a good time to practice patience!
The Importance of Proof-Reading
I am sure your teachers have talked to you about the importance of proof-reading. I’m sure you’re already planning on proof-reading your short answers and your creator’s statement. You might even have picked a trusted adult to look over them before you submit your application.
But I want to talk about proof-reading the less obvious things. Like your name and your student ID number. It’s too easy to accidentally flip two letters or numbers, and it makes my life infinitely harder as I try to match things up. Please check them and make sure you got them right before submitting.
The same goes for email addresses. I have already lost count of how many emails have already bounced because someone wrote “gnail” or “.con” or added a random letter in their email address! We mostly communicate through email, so if they are not getting to you because you misspelled your email address, that’s a problem!
Basically, just please proof-read your entire application before you submit it. Make my life, and your own, easier.
Now, speaking of email addresses…
Emails
As you know, official student email addresses issued by the school district are limited in many ways. Your official school email probably can’t receive emails from anyone outside of the district. That is going to be true during this admissions process too.
So, if you are in a non-AISD school, please do not use your school email. You won’t get any emails from LASA. If you don’t have another email account, I would recommend that you sign up for a gmail account after discussing it with your parents.
If you are in an AISD school, you can use your AISD school email on the LASA Application the first time it asks for your email address. This is the email address where google will send a copy of your responses to the form. Since it’s an AISD google account, you can receive email notifications from it.
However, when you are asked to provide your “Applicant Email Address (do not use stu. email address!)” it’s important that you do not use your AISD student email address. You will not receive the shadow request link, or any of the status update emails.
The automated emails we send may come from:
donotreply2@LASAhighschool.org
Sharing Google Links
As much as possible, use the upload function to upload files to the application. There is even an option to upload files straight from your google drive.
If this doesn’t work, you can provide a link to your google file. Just make sure the general access under share is set to “anyone with the link”.
Now, if you are an AISD student using your AISD google account, you will notice that your drive does not have an option for “anyone with the link.” That is another restriction that comes with official student accounts. We are working on a solution with IT. I am hoping we will have it in place by the first week of January. We appreciate your patience!
If you are able to create a personal email account or use your parent’s/guardian’s email account, you may do so if you want to submit your application before the issue has been fixed.
Honestly, this is one of the parts of the application that isn’t difficult by design. I mean, it’s difficult. It was just never meant to be difficult!
Upcoming Dates
December 19, 2025 - LASAadmissions@austinisd.org closes for Winter Break
Around noon I will close down the inbox for 2025 and go enjoy my winter break. Please utilize this email and lasahighschool.org/apply to search for answers to your questions.
January 3, 2026 - Virtual Help Sessions run by Parent Volunteers
Sign up here to get help with your short answers and/or creative work, practice for the CogAT test. The zoom link will be sent out in advance to everyone who signs up. This is run by parent volunteers. There will be no representatives from LASA there, and we do not have access to the zoom link.
January 5, 2026 - Last Date to Request Accommodations for the CogAT on 1/10/26.
This is only for students who currently receive testing accommodations. Use this form to request accommodations and upload paperwork from the student’s current school.
January 6, 2026 - LASAadmissions@austinisd.org Re-Opens
Any emails received during winter break will be replied to in the order they were received once I have gone through any emails received on January 6, 2026.
January 10, 2026 - CogAT Admission Test at LASA
The first of two testing dates offered at LASA. Students should only attend one. More information here. Parents/guardians may not accompany their students into the school.
January 10, 2026 - Find Your Fit Parent Panel
While students are testing, parents/guardians can attend the parent panel hosted by PFLASA, LASA’s parent organization.
“PFLASA invites you to hear perspectives from parents who have both a LASA Raptor and a student in another high school. There are a multitude of fantastic programs in our district and beyond. Hear first hand what made LASA the right fit for some of their kiddos and not for others.”
January 12, 2026 - Enroll Austin Opens
Last year, this was called “Priority Registration”. This year, it seems like they are calling it “Round 1”. This round is for all the application based schools in AISD. (NOTE: LASA is only available as an option during Round 1.)
*Parents/guardians of current AISD students access Enroll Austin via the AISD Parent Portal. *Parents/guardians of current non-AISD students access Enroll Austin via the Enroll Austin website.
January 12, 2026 - Shadowing Begins
Students who have submitted their LASA Application will receive an email with the link to request a shadow date at LASA. This email will be sent to the email addresses you entered as “Applicant Email Address”, “Parent/Guardian 1 Email Address”, and “Parent/Guardian 2 Email Address” on the LASA Application. Shadowing is offered on a first come, first serve basis.
January 13, 2026 - LASA Info Night (6-8pm in the LASA Theater)
This is a presentation led by one of our administrators and student ambassadors. If you went to a previous Info Night, there is no need to come again. All presentations are the same.
January 17, 2026 - Virtual Help Sessions run by Parent Volunteers
Sign up here to get help with your short answers and/or creative work, practice for the CogAT test. The zoom link will be sent out in advance to everyone who signs up. This is run by parent volunteers. There will be no representatives from LASA there, and we do not have access to the zoom link.
January 19, 2026 - Last Date to Request Accommodations for the CogAT on 1/24/26.
This is only for students who currently receive testing accommodations. Use this form to request accommodations and upload paperwork from the student’s current school.
January 20, 2026 - Virtual LASA Info Night (6-8pm, stream is linked from LASA Website)
This is the same presentation, just virtually instead of in person. This presentation will also be offered in Spanish.
January 24, 2026 - CogAT Admission Test at LASA
The second of two testing dates offered at LASA. Students should only attend one. More information here. Parents/guardians may not accompany their students into the school.
January 24, 2026 - Find Your Fit Parent Panel
While students are testing, parents/guardians can attend the parent panel hosted by PFLASA, LASA’s parent organization in the parent organization portable on the LASA campus.
“PFLASA invites you to hear perspectives from parents who have both a LASA Raptor and a student in another high school. There are a multitude of fantastic programs in our district and beyond. Hear first hand what made LASA the right fit for some of their kiddos and not for others.”
January 24, 2026 - Enroll Austin Help
While students are taking the CogAT, an Enroll Austin representative will be available to help parents/guardians who are having Enroll Austin issues. If you haven’t already completed Round 1 in Enroll Austin by this date, please come let the expert help you!
January 30, 2026 - DEADLINE
All requested materials must be submitted to LASA by 11:59 PM.
February 4, 2026 - Last Day to Shadow at LASA
There are no shadowing opportunities after this date.
February 6, 2026 - Last Day to make Changes in Enroll Austin
Parents may go in and make changes to the ranking order of the schools their student is applying to until 11:59 PM.
March 13, 2026 - Admission Decisions for all Application Based Schools
These are shared with families via Enroll Austin.
March 27, 2026 - Student Decisions due in Enroll Austin
Parents/guardians must go in and accept or decline the offered seat in Enroll Austin by this date.
Thank you for bearing with me through that very long email. I will see you in January, 2026.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
/Jo Koerth
50% of LASA’s non-existent Admissions Department
IMPORTANT LINKS
Enroll Austin - opening January 12, 2026
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Jo Koerth (she/her/hers)
LASA ADMISSIONS
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Administrative Assistant to Ms. Crescenzi
Liberal Arts and Science Academy
Phone: (512) 414-5272 ext 5-6663