Tuesday, August 18, 2026 will be the first day of school. The AISD calendars are on the district site.

Freshman Orientation (Big Mac Day) will be on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026 from 1:30- 5:30 pm in the big gym.  Orientation will be led by student Link Crew leaders and there will be a campus tour.

What is McCallum High School's personal device policy?

Here is the policy regarding personal electronic devices.

Typically student schedules are posted in BLEND the day before school starts, but some students may not have classes assigned by the first day. (There are 5 counselors and 1900+ students; it takes a lot of work.) On the first day of school, there will be people on campus to help get a schedule. You can find your counselor on the Counseling page.

The bell schedule.
The AB calendar is also located on the main page under the banner in the blue quick links section, and under .

Typically, students have 4 classes a day – either A day classes (periods 1 - 4 plus lunch and roundtable/advisory/FIT) or B day classes (periods 5 - 8 plus lunch and roundtable/advisory/FIT). Every once in awhile they have all 8 classes (C day) but those are usually held only the day before finals.
Mondays and Wednesdays are A days and Tuesdays and Thursdays are B days. Fridays are either A or B days (not always in a rotating pattern) and are announced ahead of time.  There are only two C days for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Advisory and Flexible Instruction Time (FIT) is a period of about 20 minutes each day where students either meet with their assigned teacher to work on activities, do homework, or address concerns, or join a meeting. Your student will have an assigned advisory teacher and will get more information from that teacher.  Some clubs meet during FIT as well.

 

What activities may be assigned to recover attendance?

The method of recovery for McCallum are: 

• Additional work is assigned
• Tutoring/study hall time is assigned
• Twilight happens Monday-Thursday 4:30-6pm in room 155
• Saturday School happens on Saturdays from 8-12 in the English Hall. Check in office for dates.
• NHS/PALS/AVID tutoring (must occur outside of the school day)
• Any combination of the above or
• Other academic activities as assigned

ATTENDANCE RECOVERY OPPORTUNITES

 

There is only one lunch period from 12:43-1:23. Everyone has the same lunch period.
Students can eat anywhere on campus–the cafeteria, the outdoor picnic tables, classrooms, hallways, etc. My child claims lines to purchase lunch are very long but I can’t confirm. There are several microwaves available. There is no eating in the library but students can usually go there after they are done eating.

Some students take an early morning class, usually something like band or a sports practice. Individual coaches and directors will provide this information.

Seniors may leave campus for lunch. Freshman - Juniors are not allowed to leave campus. If a student needs to be signed out early, a parent or guardian with picture ID has to sign them out of the office.

Speak privately with the librarians about needs.

There isn’t usually a specific list. Each teacher may require something special, which will be made known to your student on their first day of that class (Monday for A classes and Tuesday for B classes).
Generally, on the first day your child should have a Chromebook or computer if they have one, something to write with and something to write on. A reusable water bottle and backpack to put it all in is a good idea.

No. A basic: t-shirt, bottoms and sneakers that don’t impede movement is good enough. Dance, marching band, or athletics may have a more specific dress code that your student will be informed about.

Students need to request one at lunch time from the office next to the library with a sign on the door saying this is where you request a locker. There are not enough lockers for all students, therefore students are not automatically assigned one.

There are water fountains and refilling stations around campus, so bring a reusable water bottle.

Yes. Students have their picture taken on picture day (whenever that is) and that will be used as their ID. If they miss one/need a replacement, they will be able to get one from the library.

There will probably be a tech day before school starts for issuing a Chromebook to new students (watch for announcements). Generally, any student can get a device or tech support at the Mac library anytime once school starts.

Printing is available at the library, but there is a charge per page.

Graduation for the Class of 2026 is May 29th at 4 pm at Burger Center.  Graduation is an indoor event.  You do not need a ticket to attend graduation.

• Guidance Counselors: Visit the Counseling page
• 504 Coordinator: Jennifer Padron- jennifer.padron@austinisd.org
• College and Career Counselor: Dr. Jodi Denyszyn- jodi.denyszyn@austinisd.org
• Principal’s Admin Assistant: Bonnie Baker – bonnie.baker@austinisd.org
• Guidance Secretary: Tonya Moore- tonya.moore@austinisd.org. (reach out to her for help reaching a counselor)

Information will be posted around campus for various clubs that will be starting. Your child can start their own club with a faculty sponsor and the completion of a form in the office. Visit Student Clubs and Organizations page for details.

Join the PTSA or volunteer at the school. The front office and library always need help. Information will be posted on the MacKnightly News as it becomes available.

To request a VOE, students must fill out this form. Please make sure you or your student read all of the information at the top of the form. The form automatically sends a copy of their response to the email they've provided, so make sure that they've 1) entered their email correctly, and 2) received a copy in their inbox. 

Note that requesting a VOE does not guarantee that your student will get one; students must be passing their classes and have an average daily attendance of 90%. If this is not the case, they will need to talk to their AP. 

McCallum students and caregivers can search the following lists of resources within the community to find assistance: 

Quick Links to Community Resources

Austin ISD Resource Guide- English, Spanish

Find Help- search engine of ALL local agencies and community programs 

Central Texas Food Bank- search engine of food pantries in your area. Enter your zip code, map will show locations, hours, and any eligibility requirements. 

Enrollment in SNAP- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called food stamps 

City of Austin Neighborhood Centers: Helps families in need with free services such as: food, rent/utility assistance,, job search help, health screenings, bus passes, and more.

Travis Country Community Center-  Helps families in need with free services such as: food, rent/utility assistance,, job search help, health screenings, bus passes, and more. Central Austin Location- Phone: 512-854-4120

 

Please contact our campus Licensed Mental Health Professional, Karen McGarity, if you would like additional assistance when navigating campus and community support.  karen.mcgarity@austinisd.org 

Work Cell (512) 270-1178

Teachers may have specific needs but in general, you can:

• Donate non-perishable snacks to the counselor’s office for hungry kids. Drop snacks off at the front office and say they are for the Counselor’s Snack Cupboard.
• Sign up to bring Wednesday night dinner to the students enrolled in the Twilight Credit Recovery Program.
• Sign up to treat a teacher during the year via the Secret Pals program.
• Donate HEB/Walmart/Shell Gas gift cards (preferably in $25 increments) to the school licensed mental health professional Christel Gilbreath. (You can drop them off in the office for her mailbox.)

Donate to the MACares program