ATX116
116 Schools. 1 Future. Stronger Together.
Mission & Vision
Mission: Strengthen community capacity by organizing across neighborhoods and providing accessible information to shift education policy and center equity in Austin ISD.
Vision: Harness our collective voice and empower the Austin community to build a path to equitable public education.
Our Story
ATX116 was born out of a moment of crisis and a spark of connection.
In early 2025, when the futures of Dobie and Lamar Middle Schools were suddenly thrown into question, families, educators, and community members across Austin ISD began to speak up. The moment laid bare the tensions and the segregation that still shape our city’s schools. Some voices questioned Dobie’s place. But others leaned in with curiosity, care, and commitment. What started as concern quickly became something more powerful: solidarity.
One conversation between Heather Wong, an East Austin educator, and Jessie Nuefeld, a West Austin parent, became a bridge across the divide and the beginning of a network. Together, we realized we didn’t just need to advocate for our own schools — we needed to stand in solidarity with every school community across Austin.
That’s how ATX116 was born. The name represents all 116 schools in Austin ISD. Our slogan — 116 Schools. 1 Future. Stronger Together. — reflects our belief that real equity requires both cross-campus organizing and accessible information.
Co-founded by Heather and Jessie, ATX116 is a grassroots alliance grounded in two pillars:
• Community: building trust across neighborhoods and school communities
• Communication: creating clear, actionable tools to help people navigate policy and show up with power
Together, and with others, we’re working to change how power, policy, and partnership show up in Austin public education.
This started with a crisis. It continues with a commitment. And we’re just getting started.
Our Approach
When we connect people to each other (Community) and to clear, actionable information (Communication), we unlock the power of collective voice — and create real momentum toward equity in public education.
Community
Organizing across schools, neighborhoods, and lived experiences to strengthen connection, trust, and collective power across Austin ISD.
Foster cross-campus relationships through low-stakes 1:1 engagement, creating space for genuine dialogue and shared learning
Coordinate multi-campus gatherings to strengthen community and uplift shared struggles and joys across Austin
Strengthen equity voices through call-in training and coaching, preparing community members to speak truth in systems spaces (like board meetings, PTA forums, or policy groups)
Host listening circles and community forums rooted in trust, honoring lived experience, and naming systemic patterns — not individual blame
Grow people-powered leadership by offering skill-sharing, organizing tools, and mutual support
Celebrate and activate through joy, art, and collective gathering to spark connection, healing, and forward motion
Communication
Turning complex policy into clear, creative, and community-centered tools for action.
Support community understanding: Offer clear, equity-centered explanations of education policy and systemic changes by helping families, educators, and students engage with confidence and context
Educate and contextualize by sharing resources that explain:
• Where AISD is now
• How we got here (e.g., displacement, funding, policy decisions)
• What’s at stake — and what’s possibleMake information visual and shareable: Design infographics, one-pagers, and short videos that simplify key issues and invite community understanding
Amplify community voice: Support storytelling and public testimony that centers lived experience and deepens insight into systemic barriers
Build a communication hub: Maintain an accessible, regularly updated presence across our website, email, and social platforms with creative content that fosters reflection and connection