Location: Cedar Park; operates out of Rockbridge Church
2001 W New Hope Dr
Cedar Park, TX 78613
Students served: PreK–5th grade
Current enrollment: 21
Model/philosophy: Nature's Schoolhouse provides a mixed-age learning environment for PreK–5th grade. Offering a new take on the one-room schoolhouse model, the homeschool-like program fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a deep connection with nature. Students thrive in a low-stress setting, blending structured academic learning with hands-on outdoor exploration and play.
Special features: The school features a 4-day (Monday–Thursday) core school week complemented by a unique Friday outdoor nature science program (which is also available as a stand-alone 1 day per week program). It hosts numerous community events throughout the year and holds monthly parent collaborative meetings. On-site ABA, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy services support students' diverse needs. With ample outdoor playtime each day on a 5-acre campus, the school creates a low-stress environment that fosters a love for nature, encourages physical activity, and promotes social development.
Schedule: Nature's Schoolhouse follows a semester structure, with school typically beginning in late August and continuing through the end of May. Students attend school 4 days a week (Monday–Thursday) at our main campus and 1 day per week (Friday) at Twin Lakes Park. School hours are 9am–3:30pm.
Tuition: Full-time, $13,035 annually or 11 monthly payments of $1,185. $650 New Student Enrollment Fee. $600 annual Materials Fee.
Fridays only: $2,100 annually or $300 deposit + 9 monthly payments of $200.
Contact: Nicole Tomayko, Director | nicole@naturesschoolhouse.com
Each listing in this alphabetical directory gives you a snapshot of a small, independent, alternative school in the Austin area.
This frequently updated list spans several pages, with navigation buttons at the bottom. Clicking on the name of a school will take you to its own website. To easily find schools by geographical area, see our Alt Ed Maps page. If you know of a school that’s missing from this directory, please drop a note here, and see Alt Ed Austin’s criteria for “alternative” and “school.” You may also be interested in our directories of other recommended schools (which are mostly larger or more specialized or religiously oriented), as well as special programs for children and adults.
Full disclosure: Alt Ed Austin founder Teri Sperry has ties with several of the schools listed on this site. Her child, now an adult, attended two of them years ago. She has friends who direct, teach at, or are otherwise involved in others. Some programs choose to advertise from time to time on Alt Ed Austin as Sponsoring Partners. She firmly believes that all of the schools featured on this site (including the ones to which she has no personal connection and those from which she receives no advertising fees) are good choices for some kids, each for different reasons.
