This week, Alexandra Copeland, the Director of Health Services of AISD, sent out a letter informing students and families of AISD that COVID-19 testing will be available at select locations through Friday, December 4th. Below is the letter and FAQ’s about the testing.

Dear Austin ISD,

In our effort to minimize the post-holiday spread of COVID-19, all campuses will be in a remote setting the week of Nov. 30 – Dec. 4. In order to further curb the impact on our community, beginning Wednesday, Dec. 2, we will also offer three days of districtwide, drive-through, rapid testing for all on-campus students and staff, who will physically report to campus for teaching and learning. Testing is strongly recommended for those that are showing COVID-19 symptoms, those that have had close contact with someone that is positive or showing symptoms for COVID-19, and those that recently traveled for the holidays. 

We will offer drive-through, COVID-19 testing at the following dates, times, and locations: 

Testing Site Locations

• Burger Stadium
• Dobie Middle School
• Mendez Middle School 
• Navarro Early College High School 
• Northeast Early College High School 
• Travis Early College High School

Dates and Times for ALL Locations:

• Wednesday, December 2nd from 9:30am-6:00pm
• Thursday, December 3rd from 8:00am-4:30pm
• Friday, December 4th from 8:00am-4:30pm

Items to Bring on Scheduled Date of Testing

• Completed Child/Student or Adult/Staff Consent Form
• Student/Employee ID
• Driver’s License or State ID (if applicable)
• Mask (all members in vehicle should have a mask on when arriving to the testing site)
• Parent/Guardian present if student is under the age of 18 (A student under 18 years of age may come unaccompanied to the testing site if parent/guardian has fully completed consent form. Any missing information on the consent form may lead to the student being turned away.) 

To sign up for drive-through testing at an AISD site, please register here:

English Registration Link: https://forms.gle/QDYdq4THLPih7sJj8

Spanish Registration Link: https://forms.gle/FAyhvt357f4j2q1V9

In addition to the testing that we are offering for on-campus students and staff, two of the six AISD testing sites (Burger Stadium and Northeast Early College High School) will have Austin Public Health (APH) present to administer a limited amount of COVID-19 tests to household members for students’ families that register by Monday, November 30th at 5:00pm.

For virtual learners/workers and those that are getting tested at other locations that also want family members to get tested as well, you can schedule testing on the same days with Austin Public Health by visiting COVID19.AustinTexas.gov or by calling 512-972-5560. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Health Services at [email protected]. 

Thank you,

Alexandra Copeland

Director of Health Services

Austin ISD

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Post-holiday, COVID-19 testing is almost here! We are looking forward to providing this valuable resource to our students, staff and families. The Department of Health Services wanted to make sure to answer some frequently asked questions. For dates, times and locations, see our original post.

How much does testing cost?

Testing is completely FREE.

Am I still able to register for testing?

Yes. Registration will be open until 7 p.m. today, Tuesday, Dec. 1. Please sign-up using one of the following links:

English Registration Link: https://forms.gle/QDYdq4THLPih7sJj8

Spanish Registration Link: https://forms.gle/FAyhvt357f4j2q1V9

Will I have to wait in line at a testing site?

While the testing process only takes a few minutes, there may be a wait time and lines, depending on location and the time selected. If you are worried about a line and want a more efficient overall testing process, we recommend signing up for testing at one of the following, smaller testing locations: Dobie Middle School, Mendez Middle School and Travis Early College High School.

How long does testing take?

The entire testing process itself at a testing station takes about 5-7 minutes. However, there could be a wait time with lines at testing sites.

I am an on-campus AISD employee. Can my non-AISD family members get tested with on-site testing at Northeast Early College High School or Burger Stadium?

No. On-site, family testing through Austin Public Health is reserved for families of students. However, staff can sign up at a nearby APH testing site to get their family members tested. To make it easier, we recommended signing up for a testing time at APH to drive over right after getting tested at an AISD testing site.

How will I receive my results?

If you test positive, you will be contacted the same day of testing, via phone call, with your test result. If you test negative, you will not be contacted the same day of testing with your test result. All individuals who get tested will receive their test results within 48 hours, via email and text, with the email and phone number listed on the consent form.

Can I wait on-site for my test results?

In order to reduce traffic build-up, individuals will not be able to wait on-site for their results. Individuals will receive their results, via email and text, within 48 hours, whether positive or negative. Individuals that test positive will also receive a phone call the same day.

If I am working or learning on campus, but do not attend school or work at one of the testing sites, can I still get tested, even though it is not my home campus?

Yes. The testing sites are open to ALL in-person students and staff, regardless of their home campus. You may select any of the testing sites.

Can I wait until next week when campuses reopen to get tested?

Testing on campuses is by appointment-only with health room staff. If staff or students want post-holiday testing, they need to register at one of the mass testing sites. 

Is testing required for me to return to campus next week?

No, testing is not required of staff or students. Testing is strongly recommended for those who are showing COVID-19 symptoms, have had close contact with someone that is positive or showing symptoms for COVID-19, or recently traveled for the holidays.

Will I need to get out of the car during testing? Will you accept walk-ups?  

Testing is drive-thru only. No one will be permitted to exit their vehicle, and walk-ups are not accepted.

If I decide at the last minute to get tested and was not able to register, am I able to still access testing? 

Yes. Dobie Middle School (North) and Mendez Middle School (South) will be accepting individuals who were not able to register for testing. Drop-in days and times are on Thursday and Friday between 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Does testing hurt, and is it a nasopharyngeal swab?

No, testing will not hurt, and it is not a naseopharyngeal swab. Testing is painless and will use a simple, nasal swab to collect the specimen.

If you have additional questions, please reach out to the Department of Health Services at [email protected].