Now Serving: Sizzling Enrollment Growth, More Classes in Lockhart

Note: Data updated Friday, October 3

Since the Lockhart ISD voters elected to join the Austin Community College District (ACC), enrollments in the Barbecue Capital of Texas are heating up—demonstrating a significant need and a powerful community reception. To meet this incredible growth, the College expects to add additional classes this spring in Downtown Lockhart.

With in-district benefits immediately kicking in after the November election, enrollment of new-to-ACC Lockhart ISD-area students surged starting with the spring 2025 semester. Over 1/3 (214) of Fall 2025 enrolled students from Lockhart are starting with ACC this semester, and more than 1/2 (339) of currently enrolled students started with ACC after the Lockhart annexation.

First term at ACC for Fall 2025 enrolled Lockhart ISD area students

Based on data effective September 4, 2025, the majority of students from the Lockhart area enrolled at ACC this fall are young, predominantly Hispanic, and overwhelmingly female.

Approximately half of all students (308) are 18 years old or younger, with the other half consisting of community members ages 19 to 65. This indicates that the College’s connection with Lockhart is currently rooted in high school and recent graduate populations. 

Combined, Dual Credit and Early College High School (ECHS) students—130 and 71 students, respectively—make up one-third of the total enrollment from the area. The rest of the students (412) are traditional, continuing education, or adult education students. (65%).

More than a fourth of Lockhart-area students (160 students) are taking advantage of ACC’s Free Tuition Pilot Program—50 from the class of 2024 and 110 from the class of 2025.

The race/ethnicity makeup of the student population reflects the Lockhart community. 

• 68% of the students identify as Hispanic
• 27% identify as White
• 2% identify as Black
• 3% are other

Female students outnumber male students nearly two to one (406 females to 207 males). Among the 613 total students, 60 indicated they are parenting students. 

ACC’s Initial Presence in Lockhart

As part of the initial phase of ACC’s expansion in Lockhart, the College started — and continues to offer — classes in the evenings and on weekends at Lockhart High School. 

The College began by offering four 12-week general education classes in English Composition I, Introduction to Psychology, Texas State and Local Government, and Effective Strategies for College Success in spring 2025. ACC offered two sections—Effective Strategies and Technical and Business Writing—in the summer, and College Algebra this fall.

Renovating the Ford Building for Learning

ACC officially purchased the historic Ford Building in downtown Lockhart in December 2024. Renovations are currently underway to transform the space into a hub for classroom instruction and hands-on learning.

Once renovations on the 20,000-square-foot former auto dealership are complete, ACC expects to begin offering technical training with staggered start dates beginning in January. The courses include: 

• Welding Technology
• Automotive Technology
• HVAC Technology
• Plumbing

The College plans to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the spring to celebrate this major milestone. Details are forthcoming.

Learn more about ACC in Lockhart here.