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Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD Attendance Zone Information
Click the button below to be redirected to our demographer's site. Type in your address and School Zone Finder will tell you the elementary, middle, and high school zone for that address for the 2022-2023 school year.
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New Attendance Boundaries Approved for Hatley Elementary School
Preparation underway for the opening of the District's 18th Elementary School in August 2023
As Eagle-Mountain Saginaw ISD prepares to open Elizabeth Lopez Hatley Elementary School in August 2023, the District reviewed and proposed new elementary school attendance zones that will take effect for the 2023-2204 school year. The EMS ISD Board of Trustees approved the attendance zone adjustments at the regular meeting in December 2022. These updates will impact some students currently zoned to Bryson Elementary School and Comanche Springs Elementary School, as well as future housing developments where no students currently reside.
The District's 18th elementary school, approved by voters in the 2008 Bond referendum, is in the Beltmill Development on the Northeast corner of Saginaw Boulevard and Bailey Boswell Road. Two community meetings were hosted in November 2022 to share information and collect feedback about the attendance zone plan that was being considered and a map of the changes is posted below.
Hatley Elementary will help alleviate growing enrollment at Bryson and Comanche Springs along with accommodating growth from future housing developments that have not yet been built. Under the proposed plan, the following housing additions that could possibly be rezoned to Hatley Elementary include North Fork Estates, Northpointe, The Ranch at Duck Creek, Glen Mills and Glen MIlls Village, Savanna Estates, and The Standard at Boswell Marketplace apartment community.
Many factors are considered in attendance zone adjustments, and we appreciate the community's participation and partnership in this process as we plan for the exciting future of Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD.
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2023-2024 Elementary School Attendance Zone Adjustment Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are we changing attendance zones?
A: EMS ISD is a fast-growth school district, with over 700 new students this year, exceeding 23,000 students as a district. In the next 10 years, projections indicate we will welcome an additional 3,000 elementary students, creating the need for another elementary campus to support growth at our Pre-K through grade 5 campuses.
Q: Why do I have to leave Bryson or Comanche Springs?
A: The elementary attendance zones are being adjusted to accommodate the opening of the district’s 18th elementary campus, Hatley Elementary School. These adjustments will work to balance enrollment counts at our elementary campuses in this area of the district to manage class sizes and building capacities as new neighborhoods are developed.
Q: How did you choose the dividing lines for the new elementary attendance zones?
A: The new boundaries were selected by analyzing future growth projections provided by the district’s third-party demographer, Zonda Education, along with reviewing the most natural boundaries. The intent is to identify dividing lines that offer the least amount of disruption to schools and families while still working towards our goal of balancing elementary enrollments throughout EMS ISD.
Q: Can a student request to transfer to Hatley Elementary School?
A: Yes, transfers will be considered and guidelines for applying for a transfer will be posted on the website by February 1, 2023. Transportation will not be provided for transfer students.
Q: If I want my child to stay in his/her current school even when he/she is supposed to go to a different elementary school, when do I need to request the transfer? Does the District charge for this?
A: The transfer process, guidelines, and campuses open to transfers will be posted on the District website by February 1, 2023. It does not cost anything to request a transfer for your student; however, transportation is not provided for transfer students. All transfer requests will be reviewed through the District transfer policy.
Q: If a student transferred into Bryson or Comanche Springs originally, but is now in the Hatley attendance zone, is the transfer still honored? Do we need to reapply?
A: Anyone on a transfer to Bryson or Comanche Springs who is in the proposed Hatley attendance zone will need to reapply for a transfer to remain at Bryson or Comanche Springs. Anyone on a transfer who is not in the Hatley attendance zone will not need to reapply as they are not affected by the zoning adjustment.
Q: What type of “extra” programs will be implemented at Hatley? (e.g. a 5th grade science trip, 4th grade echo trip to the Capital, etc.)
A: Hatley Elementary students will have the opportunity to participate in all programs that are standard on our EMS ISD elementary campuses, including PACE and Honor Choir. Hatley students will also enjoy field trips and special educational experiences that support their learning. The Hatley principal and staff will work to coordinate engaging, relevant, and exciting programs and experiences for students. Specialized programs such as Life Skills and bilingual are placed on campuses based on need, available space, enrollment projections, and location.
Q: Has the Hatley principal been chosen?
A: District leaders are in the process of interviewing for the Hatley principal at this time. Prior to the start of school in August 2023, opportunities will be provided for the Hatley Elementary School community to meet and get to know their principal.
Q: Will the district be hiring all new teachers for Hatley Elementary School?
A: The teaching staff at Hatley Elementary School will include current EMS ISD elementary school teachers transferring from other district schools along with staff new to the district.
Q: Will bus routes change?
A: After any rezoning, all bus routes are re-evaluated and will be adjusted to support the new attendance zone boundaries.
Q: How can I get my additional questions answered?
A: Please submit your question through Let’s Talk. This will ensure the appropriate district leader receives your question and can provide a timely response with the most relevant information.
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High School Attendance Zone Information
Updated September 27, 2022
High School Attendance Zone Plan Approved
Preparation for opening of Eagle Mountain HS in August 2024The opening of the district’s fourth comprehensive high school, made possible through the 2017 Bond Program, is set for Fall 2024. Thank you to everyone who shared input about the best path forward in rezoning high school attendance zones in preparation for the opening of Eagle Mountain High School. During the EMS ISD Board of Trustees meeting this month, the high school attendance zones were approved and will go into effect for the 2024-2025 school year.
The approved plan includes the following criteria:
- EMHS will open with grades 9-11 and will provide all curricular, extracurricular, and programmatic offerings available at existing EMS ISD high schools.
- Seniors in the fall of 2024 will continue to attend the school they attended in 2023-2024.
- Siblings of seniors in high school in the fall of 2024 may continue to attend the same high school until they graduate. For example, if an underclassman lives in the zone required to transfer but has a sibling who is a senior in 2024-2025, the underclassman may remain at their original campus through graduation.
- Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, all other high school students will be expected to attend the school for which they are zoned.
Map of the approved 2024-2025 high school attendance zones
The process to plan for the opening of EMHS started in the spring when district leaders created a preliminary rezoning plan based on growing enrollment numbers and areas of projected growth. Then, the proposal was presented to the community to gather feedback. Input was received from three public information meetings in June as well as through the Let’s Talk online system, email, and personal conversations in conjunction with a community listening initiative this past summer. District leaders reviewed all comments, questions, and suggestions received. Considering the feedback, options for the attendance zones were considered and adjusted where possible to accommodate community preferences while also meeting the district's enrollment growth and building capacity needs.
With attendance zones now in place, district leaders will begin the process of searching for the first Principal of Eagle Mountain High School. The school colors are black and gold, and the mascot will be the Knights.
Anytime attendance zones change, it is a community-wide process and feedback from our parents, staff and community is important. Please continue to submit any questions or comments using the Let's Talk online system. Additionally, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions below for further details. Thank you for being active and involved in this community conversation as we prepare for the growing future of Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD.
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High School Attendance Zone Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are these high school attendance zone adjustments being made?
A: Eagle Mountain High School, EMS ISD’s fourth comprehensive high school, will open in August 2024. These attendance zone adjustments will help to balance enrollment at all four high schools as we continue managing current and projected student growth. EMS ISD is a fast- growth school district. More than 23,100 students are enrolled today, and the District adds more than 1,000 new students each year. EMS ISD expects to enroll more than 27,000 students by 2026-2027 and 31,000 students by 2031-2032.
Q: When will these changes take effect?
A: The high school attendance zone adjustments will take effect in the 2024-2025 school year.
Q: Which schools/students will be impacted?
A: The zone adjustments will impact all four comprehensive high schools beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. Some students will start at one high school their freshman year, but will graduate from a different high school. The zone adjustment is designed to balance enrollment across all high schools while accommodating current and future growth across the district. These adjustments will also impact feeder patterns for some middle and elementary schools in the future. Middle and elementary school attendance zone changes are not being proposed at this time.
Q: What grades will EMHS have when it opens?
A: Eagle Mountain High School will open with three grade levels: freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. This will allow students to compete in both varsity and junior varsity UIL events (athletic, fine arts, and academic) in the school’s first year of operation. In addition, it will facilitate the school providing a full complement of curricular and extracurricular programming for all students. The first graduating class will be in 2026.
Q: How does EMS ISD determine where to draw attendance zone boundaries?
A: EMS ISD partners with leading demographer, Zonda Education, to evaluate long-term growth. Considerations in drawing these lines include:
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Space Optimization – Efficiently using buildings to reduce overcrowding when possible.
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Neighborhood Unity – Making the best effort to keep subdivisions together.
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Natural Lines – Attempting to use natural boundary lines where possible.
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Growth – Planning for future development so that lines do not need to be redrawn between campus openings.
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Socioeconomic Factors – Considering the socioeconomic make up of each attendance zone.
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Transportation Cost – Considering bus routes as attendance zones are developed.
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Family Impact – Considering the impact that changing attendance zones will have on families.
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Feeder Pattern Alignment – Bringing EMS ISD closer to the goal of aligned feeder patterns, keeping the majority of students together as they move through elementary, middle, and high school.
Q: When will the new high school attendance zones be approved?
A: Updated 9-27-22: The high school attendance zone plan was approved during the September 2022 Board of Trustees meeting. EMS ISD collected feedback from all stakeholders in June, July, and August and presented a recommendation to the EMS ISD Board of Education in September 2022.
Q: When were high school attendance zones last adjusted?
A: The last major shift in high school zones in EMS ISD occurred more than 10 years ago as part of the opening of Chisholm Trail High School. Through comprehensive long-term facility planning, the district has been able to minimize attendance zone movement for high school students over the past decade to provide consistency for families.
Q: Can existing EMS ISD students stay at the high school for which they are currently zoned (be grandfathered)?
A: Seniors in 2024-2025 will stay at the high school they attended in the 2023-2024 school year, unless their family moves into a different attendance zone. Transfers to remain at an existing high school generally will not be able to be accommodated unless the sibling rule applies, or the campus is open to transfers.
Q: Can a student stay at their current high school if their sibling attends that school?
A: High-school age siblings of 2024-2025 seniors will have the option to stay at their current campus and will be able to participate in UIL activities. A family must have a student actively enrolled in the high school for the sibling rule to continue. For example:
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Senior in 2024-2025 with a freshman sibling, the freshman may choose to stay in the original high school attendance zone.
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Senior in 2024-2025 with an 8th grade sibling, the 8th grade sibling will move into the new high school attendance zone.
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Senior in 2024-2025 with siblings in 9th and 5th grades, the 9th grade sibling may stay but the 5th grade sibling will move into the new high school attendance zone.
Q: Can a student stay at their current high school if graduated family members graduated from that school?
A: Due to the fast growth of our district, all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in the 2024-2025 school year will need to attend the high school for which they are zoned. Transfers to remain at an existing high school generally will not be able to be accommodated unless the sibling rule applies or the campus is open to transfers.
Q: When will cheer tryouts take place?
A: Cheer tryouts for 2024-2025 for all high schools will take place in March 2024 and will follow all guidelines in the EMS ISD Cheer Constitution. The times and locations of these tryouts will be determined closer to the tryout date, but all information will be shared with all high school students and their parents/guardians, including those who will attend the future EMHS.
Q: How will athletic teams for Eagle Mountain High School be formed?
A: Coaches will begin meeting with future EMHS students in Spring 2024.
Q: Where can I see EMS ISD high school enrollment projections?
A: All information regarding the proposed high school attendance zone changes is located at www.emsisd.com/attendancezones.
Q: Where can I see the proposed high school attendance zone maps?
A: All information regarding the proposed high school attendance zone changes is located at www.emsisd.com/attendancezones.
Q: How can I get my questions answered?
A: Please submit your question here through Let’s Talk. This will ensure the appropriate district leader receives your question and can provide a timely response with the most relevant information.
Q: Will there be future changes to middle school attendance zones?
A: As new schools open or as existing campuses experience enrollment growth, attendance zones will be reviewed and possible adjustments made to meet the needs of the campus. Any future growth at middle or elementary levels will be accomplished through new schools, adjusted feeder patterns, or the addition of alternative learning spaces.
Q: Why does EMHS need to open as a varsity high school with 9-11 grades?
A: Due to biennial UIL realignment, Eagle Mountain High School needs to open with varsity athletics. To open with only junior varsity in 2024-2025 would not allow Eagle Mountain High School seniors in 2025-2026 to participate in varsity-level UIL activities. To open with only sophomores and freshmen and ask those students to play varsity athletics can be developmentally detrimental for student athletes.
Q: What happens to middle school athletes training at one high school or with high school coaches now at the high school they won’t be zoned to attend?
A: Middle school athletes will continue training at the current high school regardless of what high school they will attend in 2024-2025.
Q: Can students transfer to a different middle school now so they can stay with the same students when the new high school opens?
A: All transfer requests will be reviewed through the District transfer policy.
Q: How is EMS ISD going to work with the city of Fort Worth and Tarrant County to improve the infrastructure and make roads safer?
A: EMS ISD works closely with the cities, county, TxDOT and other responsible agencies to advocate for safe and adequate roads and infrastructure to/from our schools and throughout our community. Please visit www.connect4safety.org for information and ways to be involved in this community-wide initiative.
Q: What route will buses take to the new high school?
A: Bus routes will be determined based upon the number of students attending the school and where those students riding the bus reside.
Q: How often are demographic projection maps updated?
A: EMS ISD works with leading demographer Zonda Education to regularly review zoning projections. Maps are updated once a year, at a minimum, to guide growth and future staffing.
Q: Will each high school have the same access to special services?
A: Eagle Mountain High School students will have the opportunity to participate in all programs that are standard on our EMS ISD high school campuses, including special programs, advanced academics, and curricular and extracurricular opportunities.
Q: How 6A/5A UIL alignments at all the high schools be impacted?
A: This will depend on where the UIL places enrollment cutoffs regarding the size of a school when they redistrict for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. Current information regarding UIL realignment rules is available at Alignments — University Interscholastic League (UIL) (uiltexas.org)
Q: Is this a done deal or is this truly a proposal?
A: Updated 9-27-22: The high school attendance zone plan was approved during the September 2022 Board of Trustees meeting and is now final. The high school attendance zone maps were developed based on space optimization, neighborhood unity, natural lines, enrollment growth, socioeconomic factors, transportation costs, family impact, and feeder pattern alignment. We reached out to our community for feedback and made adjustments to the board proposal based on that feedback, including:
- Moving the southern boundary line for Eagle Mountain HS from Bailey Boswell Road to Park Drive between Boat Club Road and Old Decatur Road; and,
- Accommodating siblings of seniors in high school in fall 2024 to continue to attend the same high school until they graduate.
EMS ISD presented an update to the Board of Trustees in August and a recommendation to the Board for consideration in September.
Q: Is the district built out with four high schools or is there another high school in the future?
A: Because of the amount of undeveloped and undesignated land in our school district, the possibility of a fifth high school is unclear. Our plans currently are based on a four high school model, but we will respond to growth projections as large tracts of land could be sold in the next decade, leading to more unexpected developments. Before a fifth high school would be built, renovations to increase capacity at our existing high schools would be considered.
Q: When is the next bond?
A: EMS ISD is reviewing feedback from our community about when a new bond should be proposed and what projects that bond should include. The next step is to reconvene a planning committee made up of stakeholders from around the EMS ISD community. This committee will meet in September 2022 to begin reviewing data and having discussions for future planning.
Q: Is there a timeline for building other new schools?
A: Elementary 18, named the Elizabeth Lopez Hatley Elementary School, is scheduled to open in August 2023 and EMHS is set to open in August 2024; both of these projects are part of the previous bond program approved by voters in 2008 and 2017, respectfully. The timeline for schools beyond ES18 and EMHS is dependent on voters approving a new bond authorization to fund future growth.
Q: Can we expand Boswell HS to add more students?
A: Yes, each high school can be expanded to add more students, but this would be dependent on voters approving a bond authorization to fund future growth.
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