Austin ISD will increase the number of instructional days in the 2026-27 academic year from 169 to 171, the district announced in a news release.

What’s changing: The AISD board passed the addition of two instructional days during a May 21 board vote.

The days are to be added in October and February as part of what the district describes as a strategic effort to strengthen academic outcomes and expand learning opportunities for students.

Some context: The calendar update is part of a longer-term plan to gradually reach 175 instructional days in future school years, according to the district.

Once the district reaches its goal of 175 instructional days, it would become eligible for supplemental funding under the Texas Education Agency's Additional Days School Year program.

Austin City Council established the Irene Hill-Thompson House in East Austin as a city landmark at the May 28 council meeting, according to a news release from Preservation Austin. Marilynn Poole Webb, homeowner and Irene Hill-Thompson’s niece, partnered with Preservation Austin to prepare and present the nomination. 

The single-story mid-century modern residence, built in 1963 with a wood frame, represents a legacy of early architecture and civic leadership in Austin’s only historic district exclusively honoring Black heritage.

The history: The Irene Hill-Thompson House was designed by John S. Chase, the first Black student to enroll at The University of Texas at Austin, for Irene Hill-Thompson, a civic leader from the 1940s to the mid 2000s. She was active in local and state politics, known for opening her home to host political fundraisers, meetings and more. 

• 1906 Maple Ave., Austin

Downright Austin, a Renaissance hotel, is officially known as Renaissance Austin Downtown Hotel—marking its switch to Marriott International's Renaissance Hotels portfolio, according to a news release.

Marriott announced the change on June 4, with Renaissance Austin joining over 170 Renaissance hotels and resorts worldwide. The hotel’s offerings will grow throughout the year, including programing, design and additional partnerships, according to a news release. 

Learn more: The hotel features 367 guest rooms, more than 40,000-square-feet of event space and a food and drink program. Renaissance Austin Downtown Hotel has elements designed for work and play, including social programming, city navigation and planned gatherings. 

What’s new: The new programming is already slated to feature the new Rodeo Room Sessions, a live comedy, music and event series. Rodeo Room Sessions will kick off with a monthly comedy night open to guests and local residents; its first installment will be on June 25 with general admission tickets starting at $17.85. 

• 701 E. 11th St., Austin 

Check out some of the most-read stories from the Austin area June 8-12.

1. Slick City Action Park location coming to Round Rock's east side

2. Georgetown officials consider creation of Woodside active adult community

3. Town halls set for 3 Cedar Creek data centers spanning nearly 1,500 acres

4. Austin seeks to rein in 'chaotic' e-moto use

5. Conejos Tex-Mex Cantina serves unique takes on regional classics

6. Check out 5 Cedar Park-area parks and recreation updates

As the 2026-27 school year nears, the number of people selected to participate in Texas’ education savings account program has topped 100,000.

The overview: To date, just over 102,000 students have been accepted into the Texas Education Freedom Accounts program, which gives families state funds to send their children to private schools or homeschool them.

However, being awarded funds does not mean a student is guaranteed to be able to use that money at a participating private school this fall.

Zooming in: Over 2,600 private schools have been approved to accept TEFA funding, per the state comptroller's office. State law does not require schools participating in the program to accept all interested families.

Next steps: Families accepted into the program have until July 15 to do one of the following:

• Confirm enrollment at a private school involved in the program
• Notify the state of their homeschooling plans
• Opt out of the program