The Academic Orchard LLC→

Location: Leander
9 East Windemere
Leander, Texas 78641
Students served: Accepting 5th–10th graders for the 2024–2025 school year
Current enrollment: 19 students. Maximum enrollment before waitlisting: 24. For 2024–2025, the school added a 9th and 10th grade and will add a high school grade each year through 12th. Maximum student:teacher ratio of 1:12.
Model/philosophy: The Academic Orchard is an inclusive, Montessori-inspired upper elementary and adolescent environment that seeks to support students in their academic and artistic pursuits. The goal of The Academic Orchard is to trajectory students in the full-time middle and early high school program into an Austin Community College dual enrollment program while they are in high school. The school offers an extensive outdoor program that integrates a large orchard and garden into the daily curriculum in addition to a state-of-the-art Makerspace and Arts program.
Special features: 5-acre private wooded campus with Brushy Creek integrated on campus; large mature permaculture-designed orchard and garden located on campus and integrated into the program; located on the corner of Ronald Reagan and 2243; Montessori adolescent farm school; certified skilled teachers; 4-day school week with 1- or 2-week breaks between units; ACC co-enrollment support for high school program; college preparedness; STEM magnet; students are outdoors frequently for play and sport; includes an integrated Makerspace program with laser cutter, resin art, watercolor and other fine arts, and use of other cutting-edge art and education materials
Schedule: Monday–Thursday 9am–3:30 pm. 2024–2025 school year begins Aug 19, ends May 23, and includes some holidays and 1- and 2-week breaks between units of study, with May 27–29 reserved as potential make-up days.
Tuition: $10,050 per year ($75 per day) with a $75 per unit supply fee (6 units per year)
Contact: Randie Piscitello, Director | 512-576-9625 | randie@academicorchard.org

Acton Academy (Main Campus)→

Location: Central Austin
2201 Alexander Avenue
Austin, TX 78722
Students served: Elementary School, ages 6 through 11; Middle School, ages 11 through 14; High School, ages 14 through 18
Current enrollment: 100 max
Model/philosophy: Every child has a gift that can change the world in a profound way. Acton’s mission is to inspire each child and parent who enters the doors to discover a calling that will change the world.
Special features: Original flagship campus in the Acton Academy Network of over 300 campuses in 20+ countries around the world. Adaptive apps for math and language, project-based learning, Socratic discussion groups, examination of the Hero’s Journey and how it applies personally to each young person. Real-world exploration via hands-on apprenticeships, deep industry studies, and life-changing interviews.
Schedule: 8am–3:15pm Monday through Friday, September through mid-July
Tuition: $1,241 per month for an 11-month school year (total $13,648)
Contact: Chase Pattillo | info@actonacademy.org | Schedule a call at calendly.com/actonmain/call

Acton Academy Bee Cave→

Location: Bee Cave; serving Lake Travis, Lakeway, Oak Hill, Spicewood, Cuernavaca, and Dripping Springs
14820 Hamilton Pool Rd*
Austin, TX 78738
* Permanent location to open September 2026 at 15765 Hamilton Pool Rd | Austin, TX 78738
Students served: Spark Studio, ages 4–6; Explore Studio, ages 6–8; Travel Studio, ages 8–11; Adventure Studio, ages 11–15; Launch Pad, ages 14–18
Current enrollment: 50 students
Model/philosophy: Acton Academy is the most student-centered learning environment in the world and does education like you've never seen before. It is totally and completely different. Acton Academy believes that every child is born with potential to find their calling and change the world. Acton Academy promises your child will: begin a Hero's Journey; learn to be a curious, independent, lifelong learner; develop a deep respect for economic, political, and religious freedoms; cherish the arts, wonders of the physical world, and mysteries of life on Earth; discover his or her most precious gifts and learn to use them to solve difficult problems.
Special features: At Acton Academy children learn in a collaborative studio of multi-age learners. This flexible approach challenges each student to determine their own differentiated learning plan and inspires them through real-world projects and experiences. Acton's Learner Driven Community puts children at the center of their learning, allowing them to create and maintain personal goals and relational covenants and contracts, as they Learn to Learn, Learn to Do, and Learn to Be. Acton believes each child has a gift that can change the world in a profound way. Acton believes in a closely connected community of families and lifelong learners. The Acton Bee Cave middle and high school programs (Adventure Studio and Launchpad) feature apprenticeships, service, Socratic discussions, business fairs, group projects, and writing.
Schedule: Dropoff 8:15–8:45am; the first Socratic discussion of the day (called Launch) starts at 8:45am. School finishes at 3:15pm. School year runs early September to mid-July. There is a week-long break every 6 weeks.
Tuition: $1,375 a month for 11 months per year, or $15,125 a year
Contact: Matt Briggs | 512-387-4043 | matthew@actonbeecave.org | https://actonbeecave.org

Acton Academy Northshore (Evoke)→

Location: Cedar Park / Leander
Students served: Ages 5–13 (Spark 5–7, Adventure 7–10, Discovery 10–13)
Current enrollment: 20 max for Spring 2025, 40 max for Fall 2025
Model/philosophy: At Acton Academy learners engage in daily Socratic Discussions and self-paced challenges that equip young heroes to be independent, lifelong learners. This is Montessori for the modern age.
Special features: At Evoke, learners are especially curious about science and the arts. The school offers a hybrid scheduling program with 5-, 3-, and 2-day options to meet parents where they need it. Mondays and Fridays are Club & Extracurricular days with class electives like Mad Science, Ninja Warrior, and Contemporary Dance. The Evoke community loves nature, and learners enjoy being outside on the Lake Travis Northshore!
Schedule: 9am–3pm with extended-day options, 10-month Acton Academy schedule, summer camps in June & July
Tuition: $646 per month for 2 days to $1,250 per month for 5 Days; 10 installments
Contact: L Spearman, Head of School | evokeacton@gmail.com | www.evokeacademy.org

Acton Academy West (the Westlake campus)→

Location: West Lake Hills (serving Westlake, Rollingwood, Barton Hills, Tarrytown, and surrounding West Austin areas)
3423 Bee Cave Road
West Lake Hills, TX 78746
Students served: Spark program (ages 4-5), Elementary (1st–5th), Middle School (6th–8th), and High School (9th–12th)
Current enrollment: 90
Model/philosophy: Every child has a gift that can change the world in a profound way. The school’s mission is to inspire each child to find their calling and develop the passion to pursue it. The founders believe that “learning to do”, “learning to be,” and "learning to learn" are more important than “learning to know.”
Special features: Acton Academy West Austin, founded in 2015, is a student-led, self-paced, private accredited school. The school uses online adaptive software for math and language, project-based learning, Socratic discussion groups, and examination of the Hero’s Journey and how it applies personally to each student. The campus is set back off of the road in Westlake, on a 6-acre magical property where the students enjoy a major focus on outdoor time and unstructured play. The campus participates in competitive private school league sports, including soccer, flag football, and basketball. Each team, in each sport, has held an undefeated season, and this year the all-girls basketball team won the championship.
Schedule: Monday–Friday 8:30am–3:15pm, year-round Sept–July. See the school’s calendar here.
Tuition: $1,200 per month for 11 months ($13,200 total per year)
Contact: Jayme Bynum, Head of School | info@actonacademywestaustin.com | actonacademywest.com (elementary & middle school) | high-school.actonacademywest.com (high school)

AHB Community School→

Location: North Central Austin (Hyde Park neighborhood)
4001 Speedway
Austin, TX 78751
Students served: Grades K–8
Current enrollment: 80–90 students
Model/philosophy: AHB Community School is an accredited, secular private school with a mission of offering a community where children love learning, teachers love teaching, and families thrive. AHB works to preserve our students’ natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning while fostering kind, confident, critical thinkers who are prepared for a life of learning and community engagement.
Special features: Mixed-age classes with co-teachers make for a small student-to-teacher ratio (11 to 1). A supportive, student-centered environment values social-emotional learning alongside academic rigor. Thematic, interdisciplinary curriculum encourages curiosity, creative problem solving, and hands-on learning. The condensed academic schedule respects children’s natural stamina, values family life, and encourages community involvement.
Schedule: Core Program runs 9am–2:30pm, 4 days a week, Monday–Thursday. Middle School offers an optional 5th day on Fridays. Optional before- and/or after-care and elective classes available to extend your day from 8am to 3:30pm. Annual calendar loosely follows AISD.
Tuition: $12,700 per year for Core Programs, plus enrollment fee of $1,000
Contact: Shari Vars, Head of School | shari@ahbcs.org | 512-299-5487

Alpha Austin→

Location: Central Austin
1201 Spyglass Drive
Austin, TX 78746
Students served: Grades K–8
Current enrollment: 108; rolling admissions for 2024–2025 school year, with small class sizes for personalized attention; student:guide ratio of 5:1
Model/philosophy: Alpha School is a mastery-based, self-paced K–8 private school that leverages AI-powered learning to accelerate academic achievement. Core subjects are completed in just two hours per day, followed by guide-led immersive life skills workshops in the afternoons. The school emphasizes essential real-world skills such as leadership, financial literacy, and public speaking, believing that fostering self-driven learning and problem-solving is as crucial as academic success. Alpha makes three key commitments: students will love school, learn twice as fast, and learn vital life skills. Its mission is to empower every student to unlock their full potential and thrive both academically and personally.
Special features: Alpha's dynamic campus combines entrepreneurship labs and innovation spaces, in addition to school trips. Students take, on average, two international trips yearly, plus frequent regional expeditions, putting their skills to work in real-world settings. With a 5:1 student-guide ratio and Harvard-educated mentors, the Alpha environment transforms students into global leaders.
Schedule: 8:15am–4pm, Monday–Friday; August 14, 2024–June 6, 2025
Tuition: $40,000 annually, with financial assistance and scholarship opportunities. All supplies, travel fees, and workshops are included.
Contact: Alpha Austin Admissions Team | 512-358-1672 | admissions@alpha.school

Appamada School→

Location: Dripping Springs
26450 Ranch Road 12
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Students served: K–12
Current enrollment: Rolling admissions with a maximum of 85 students (elementary: 15, junior high and high school: 70)
Model/philosophy: Appamada School nurtures a reverent culture that allows students to feel safe enough to be their authentic selves. When in that vulnerable space, students can learn in a connected way that honors taking risks and pushing boundaries. Appamada is a student-centered and process-based program that focuses on creative growth rather than outcomes, fostering the nonlinear nature of learning that comes naturally to humans. From kindergarten through 12th grade, the program celebrates learning through play and collaboration over competition.
Special features: Full-time and part-time options; nurturing, compassionate environment for elementary, junior high, and high school; personalized lunch program based on dietary restrictions included with tuition; individualized curriculum made vital through relating academics to a student's personal talents and passions; 12:1 student:teacher ratio; optional college admissions test prep; use of technology; deep Socratic inquiry; holistic student evaluations; relationship-centric culture and community
Schedule: 8:45am–3:30pm Monday–Friday; mid August–late May. Please visit the school's website for details.
Tuition: Elementary (K–5th grade), full-time, $13,000 per year; part-time, $10,000 per year. Junior High & High School (6th–12th grade), full-time, $16,500 per year; part-time, $12,500 per year.
Contact: Dave Haumer, Director | 512-484-4976 | dave@appamadaschool.com

Austin Micro School→

Location: South Austin / Manchaca
13203 Gunsmith Dr.
Manchaca, TX 78652
Students served: Grades 1–8, expanding to high school as students age up
Current enrollment: 16; rolling admissions for 2024–2025, with small class sizes for personalized attention; maximum student: teacher ratio of 12:1
Model/philosophy: Austin Micro School provides a personalized, hands-on learning experience that combines the best of Montessori and modern educational methods. The mission is to nurture the development of young leaders equipped with critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills essential for the 21st century. The school emphasizes human-centered education, focusing on the holistic growth of each student, including cognitive, emotional, social, and ethical dimensions.
Special features: Small class sizes for individualized instruction; curriculum designed to foster deeper learning and leadership development; strong focus on community engagement and social responsibility; 3-acre campus with dedicated gardening and maker spaces; a vibrant, close-knit community that supports every child's unique learning journey
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:15am–3:15pm; extended day available 7:30am–5:30pm
Tuition: $18,000 per year with financial assistance available. The school does not charge any extra fees (supply fees, travel fees, etc.).
Contact: 512-200-3145 | admissions@austinmicroschool.org | http://www.austinmicroschool.org

Austin Rising School→

Location: Southwest Austin (behind the YMCA in Oak Hill)
6211 Parkwood Drive
Austin, TX 78735
Students served:  Grades 1–12
Current enrollment: 61 for elementary/middle school; 30 expected for high school
Model/philosophy: Austin Rising School is a homeschooling school and co-op that nurtures holistic development by prioritizing students' well-being, empowering them through hands-on projects to discover passions, build teamwork, and tackle real-world challenges through project-based learning. Students’ social-emotional well-being is paramount, making them feel heard, safe, and understood.
Special features: Block learning, allowing for deep exploration spanning all major content areas; arts-integrated and project-based learning in cross-curricular modules
High School: Project-based learning, spanning all major content areas; higher ed partnership. Located at a different campus in South Austin.
Schedule: Tuesday–Thursday 9am–3:15pm, Monday 9am–2pm
Tuition: $7,550–$9,600 annually
Contact: Michelle Larios | austinrisingschool@gmail.com

Austin School for the Driven→

Location: Mueller (East-Central Austin)
Students served: Ages 10–14
Current enrollment: 6 (maximum enrollment is 15 students)
Model/philosophy: The Driven community carries three core tenets: 1) Question the premise of the question politely. 2) Check your ego at the door. 3) Be willing to learn what is needed.
Special features: Driven is a school within a makerspace. The makerspace is a large room full of tools to make almost anything the students can dream of. There is a knife making forge, kiln, commercial embroidery machine, giant laser cutter, MIG welder, dye sublimation printer, CNC router, vinyl cutter, and a wide variety of hand and power tools. Driven leans into learning to use as many tools as possible because these skills open up opportunities for both hands-on academic learning and creative expression.
Schedule: 9am–3:30pm, August 13–May 30
Tuition: $19,475
Contact: Ken Hawthorn | founder@austinschoolforthedriven.com

Bridges Academy Austin→

Location: West (Steiner Ranch)
4308 N Quinlan Park Rd Ste 100
Austin, TX 78732
Students served: K–12th grades; specializing in dyslexia, dysgraphia, gifted/2e, and other learning differences
Current enrollment: About 50 students and growing; average ratio 1:6
Model/philosophy: Bridges Academy Austin is a small accredited K–12 school specializing in dyslexia, dysgraphia, gifted/2e, and other learning differences. The school meets students where they are academically and helps them reach their potential. Teachers are certified teachers, reading specialists, and special education teachers who also have experience with gifted/talented learners. The school helps students advance in their areas of strength while receiving support in their areas of need. Students average two years of growth per year. In the words of a student, “We learn twice as much, but without the stress.” Bridges Academy Austin offers dual credit, so students may earn college credit while in high school. High school students typically go to college after graduation. the school is a welcoming environment for diversity. Students of all ethnicities, religions, genders, etc. are welcome. Students are kind to each other.
Special features: Specializing in dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, gifted/2e, and other learning differences; certified teachers and specialists; executive functioning support; onsite options for speech therapy and occupational therapy; no homework for K–8; minimal homework for high school students; a good option for students with hearing impairments
Schedule: Monday–Friday. Hours vary by the student and courses, but core classes are 9am–2:30pm, and some students have study hall, electives, and 1:1 interventions before or after these hours. August–May school year calendar.
Tuition: $19,900 annual tuition; enrollment and materials fee. This rate is subject to change. Please refer to the school’s website for current tuition information.
Contact: Alexandra Elliot, PhD, Director | 512-506-1980 | info@BridgesAcademyAustin.com

Clearview Sudbury School and WonderCrafters PreK→

Location: East Central Austin
1507 Wilshire Blvd
Austin, TX 78722
Students served: (Clearview K–12) ages 5–18; (WonderCrafters PreK) ages 3–4
Current enrollment: (Clearview K–12) 21; (WonderCrafters PreK, which just launched in summer 2024) 1 full-time and 2 part-time
Model/philosophy: (Clearview K–12) Sudbury model school; (WonderCrafters) Reggio Emilia & play-based maker space
Special features: Clearview offers self-directed education, a democratically run school, with a supportive and proven model; WonderCrafters is a play-based, Reggio Emilia–inspired program with a makerspace vibe.
Schedule: (Clearview K–12) Monday–Friday 9am–4pm, follows AISD calendar for days off. (WonderCrafters PreK) Monday–Thursday 9am–3pm, with an extra hour before and after school available; follows AISD calendar for days off; summer months available as week-long, theme-based opportunities; weekly camps & Friday camps available during the school year.
Tuition: (Clearview K–12) Tuition is set at $10,900 per year for new families; there is a sibling discount of 25% for the second child and 50% for subsequent children; there is an option to apply for reduced tuition based on the family’s ability to pay. (WonderCrafters PreK) year round tuition $1,000/mo x 12 OR weekly Camps at $350/wk OR Friday camps at $75/day.
Contact: (Clearview K–12) Shawna Pitts, Admissions Clerk | 512-524-0085 | shawna@clearviewsudburyschool.org; (WonderCrafters PreK) Ali Ronder, Director | 512-777-0852 | preschool@clearviewsudburyschool.org

ESTEAM Academy→

Location: Round Rock
12 Lake Drive
Round Rock, TX 78665
Students served: Grades PreK–12th, ages 4–18/19
Current enrollment: 54 (Early Elementary 13, Upper Elementary 17, Middle School 17, High School 7); maximum enrollment at current facility is 70; rolling admissions
Model/philosophy: ESTEAM Academy (an Acton Academy affiliate) is an entrepreneurship, art, and tech focused community. It is a tribe, a group of passionate, bold people who believe their children’s learning journey should be inspired and empowered, and so have committed to actively working together, inspiring, equipping, and connecting each Hero who walks thru the doors to discover their passion and purpose and to develop the relevant life skills needed to be successful in their chosen endeavors. Lifelong Learners, actively working and growing together.
Special features: ESTEAM Academy removes arbitrary considerations like age or time as indicators of what a Hero should or should not be able to do and instead looks at the individual and works to customize their journey with the tools they need to succeed in their own time. No tests! No homework! No grades! It is mastery-based, hands-on, and life skills–focused! Self-paced, student-led, Socratic, Montessori-inspired, project-based learning.
Schedule: Mondays–Fridays 9am–4pm. The Academy Programs run September–May; two months of Summer Camps (June and July) are included in the full-time 5-Day Program and available as an optional add-on for part-time programs. Flexible Program options include 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, and 5-day programs.
Tuition: $13,700 for 5-day Full-Time Program; $12,050 for 4-Day Part-Time Program; $10, 510 for 3-day Part-Time Program; $8,510 for 2-day Part-Time Program. Pay-in-full or finance options are available over 9 or 11 months. An enrollment fee of $500 due at enrollment (deducted from total tuition cost). Some clubs will have additional materials costs. Hardship tuition assistance available. Call to learn more or schedule a tour via the school’s website.
Contact: Nicholle Walton-Durban, Co-Founder & Head of School | 310-384-3391 | esteamacademyrr@gmail.com

Roving Learners→

Location: South Central Austin
4807 Pawnee Pathway
Austin, TX 78745
Students served: Ages 5–15
Current enrollment: 12
Model/philosophy: A traveling, experiential learning, hands-on school
Special features: The school travels in 2 passenger vans around Central Texas to explore learning and spends time at the home base integrating these experiences while focusing on reading, writing, and math. There is a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning and a peer mentoring program.
Schedule: 9am–3pm Monday–Friday
Tuition: $1000/month or $350/week or $100/day; $800 annual fee
Contact: John Thoms, Teacher/Co-owner | 512-731-9497 | john@rovinglearners.com

Figment Creative Labs→

Location: South Austin*
7809 Brodie Lane
Austin, TX 78745
* Planning to add a 2nd location in Southwest Austin at 11101 Signal Hill Rd., Austin TX 78737
Students served: All ages—toddler playgroups, creative pre-K, homeschool groups, after-school programs, adult classes on Sundays
Current enrollment: Maximum class size 12 children with 2 creative guides
Model/philosophy: Figment Creative Labs is a creative space for all ages. FCL focuses on process art and learning through play with younger artists, and maker ed. hands-on learning and STEAM education as artists grow with them.
Special features: Figment’s current location, at 7809 Brodie Lane, includes an art studio, a maker space, the discovery lab, and a creative preschool and toddler space, as well as an ever-evolving outdoor play area. It is home to rainbow colors, unbridled curiosity, and a menagerie of beloved class pets.
Schedule: Monday–Friday various programs with various schedules 9am–5:30pm, parties on Saturdays, and adult classes on Sundays. Follows AISD calendar for days off, with summer camps June–August.
Tuition: Monthly tuition for most programs; weekly tuition for summer camps; 10% sibling discount; see website for each program’s current tuition rates.
Contact: 512-551-3244 | figmentfrontdesk@gmail.com

Fusion Academy→

Location: West Austin
4701 Bee Caves Road, Suite 101
Austin, TX 78746
Students served: The Academy is available for 6th–12th graders; tutoring provided for all ages.
Current enrollment: Fusion is year-round, so students can start classes at any time because their classes are one-on-one; maximum of 65 students in the Academy.
Model/philosophy: Fusion Academy is unique in that every class is taught with one teacher and one student. This allows teachers to create a very customized and supportive learning environment for each and every student.  The Academy also provides students with a fun, creative, and full school culture; even though classes are taught one-to-one, the structure allows a strong emphasis on socialization.
Special features: What makes Fusion work is the commitment to meeting each student right where they are, creating a meaningful connection, and finding the very best way to unlock each student’s passion for learning and discovery.  Also, all homework is completed on campus, to help take stress out of the home. Students can be fully enrolled, dual-enrolled with another school, or take individual classes for credit.
Schedule: Most students take classes Monday–Thursday, and Fridays are optional. Fusion has flexible schedules to work around a student’s schedule.
Tuition: Total tuition is calculated on a per-course basis, and cost per course for the current school year varies, as follows:
     High school tuition: $3,490 per semester per course
     Middle school tuition: $4,050 per semester per course
     Tutoring, including SAT/ACT test prep: $100 per hour
Contact: Amanda Garrett | (512) 330-0188 | agarrett@fusionacademy.com

Great Minds Learning Community→

Location: Pflugerville (serving Austin, Pflugerville, Round Rock, and surrounding areas)
3400 Rowe Lane
Pflugerville, TX 78660
Students served: Gifted and twice-exceptional learners in Grades 5–12. Small classes with a maximum 7:1 student-teacher ratio.
Current enrollment: 25. Limited spots available.
Model/philosophy: Great Minds Learning Community is an intellectually rich private school for neurodiverse thinkers who are gifted or twice-exceptional (bright with learning differences/challenges/disabilities, such as dysgraphia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADD/ADHD, sensory processing challenges, Asperger's/High Functioning Autism, anxiety, depression, other health conditions, or social difficulties). GMLC students are bright, quirky, creative individuals seeking a smaller group, sensory support, intellectual freedom, and a built-in small tribe of like-minded thinkers that "get" them and give them wings to thrive. There is a balance of structure (with guided support for lagging skills) and intellectual and personal freedom. Academically strong, strengths-based, focusing on the 21st-Century skills through real-world, project-based learning. Nurturing each student within their "stretch zone" through a relationship-based approach, small class sizes, growth mindset, and 7:1 student-teacher ratio with a strong focus on social, emotional, and executive-function skills with a close-knit, caring community.
Special features: Tailored to meet the needs of gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) neurodiverse young people and the intense, challenging, and exhilarating facets that being gifted or 2e brings to your child's educational experience—intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Student-driven with lots of voice and choice, combined with guided supports and a framework to create a balanced approach. For students who would benefit from a nurturing, small-group, hands-on environment and who crave the freedom to pursue their passions and intense intellectual curiosity to the beat of their own drummer with like-minded peers. Close-knit, caring community.
Schedule: Tuesday through Thursday, 9am–3pm, August–May, with short breaks throughout the year to allow time for recharging and travel; drop-off from 8:30am, pick-up until 3:30pm. Optional Mondays, same schedule.
Tuition: $15,500 per year, with a $600 supply fee. Optional 4th day (Monday) program, $3,800. 20% sibling discount.
Contact: Deanne Repich, Head of School | 512-750-1417 | info@greatmindslc.com

GT School→

Location: Georgetown
2351 Westinghouse Rd
Georgetown, TX 78626
Students served: Grades K–8
Current enrollment: 9; rolling admissions for 2024–2025 school year, with small class sizes for personalized attention; student:guide ratio of 5:1
Model/philosophy: GT School is a mastery-based, self-paced K–8 school designed specifically for Gifted & Talented students. By combining AI-powered learning with deep intellectual exploration, students master core academics in just 2 hours each morning, advancing beyond grade level and ranking in the top 1% nationally. With 4 hours freed up each day, students learn life skills through applied academics, preparing for academic competitions like robotics, Math Olympiad, public speaking, and chess—all led by fellow gifted scholars from Harvard and UCLA. GT School’s gifted students and guides foster the intellectual rigor and creative mindset needed for advanced academic success.
Special features: Adaptive and personalized learning allows and encourages Gifted & Talented students to work above grade level and unlock their full potential. As a result, GT School guarantees students will be in the top 1% nationally and win academic competitions. Students who start in Kindergarten will also finish high school academics with 5s on APs and a 1500+ SAT by 8th Grade.
Schedule: 8:15am–4pm, Monday–Friday; August 14, 2024–June 6, 2025
Tuition: $25,000 annually. All supplies, travel fees, and workshops are included.
Contact: Tim Eyerman, Dean of Parents | admissions@gt.school

Headwaters School→

Location: Multiple
Early Childhood Campus, South Austin
6305 Menchaca Rd.
Austin, TX 78745
Elementary Campus, Southwest Austin
9607 Brodie Ln.
Austin, TX 78748
Middle and High School Campus, Downtown
807 Rio Grande
Austin, TX 78701
Students served: Age 18 months through 12th grade
Current enrollment: 525 (Early Childhood: 113; Elementary: 191; Middle School: 114; High School: 107)
Model/philosophy: Headwaters School is an independent school in Austin, Texas, serving students from early childhood through grade 12. At Headwaters, they believe in the power of young people to solve challenges great and small. That’s why they’ve built a culture around student-led exploration and creativity. The school's approach to excellence is defined by challenge and growth--because they know when students are propelled by curiosity and grounded in empathy, they are ready for any opportunity life brings their way. Founded in 2001, the school begins with a Montessori foundation and progresses to the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme. The school invites its students, guides, staff, parents, and trustees to be Peacemakers, Advocates, Creators, and Thinkers.
Special features: The Montessori curriculum in the Early Childhood and Elementary programs empowers students to explore their individual curiosity, grow in kindness, and learn self-advocacy in a caring, supportive environment. In middle school, Headwaters students learn who they are, who they want to become, and what impact they want to have on the world. The downtown location for the middle and high school gives students real-world practice in developing executive function skills and navigating the world beyond the campus. In high school, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme features depth over breadth and a mastery of writing across the curriculum. Headwaters offers a highly personalized college counseling experience.
Schedule: Headwaters follows a semester structure, with school typically beginning in late August and continuing through late May. Students attend school five days a week. On the Early Childhood campus, families can choose a half-day program or a full-day program. The school offers summer programming on all three campuses. The most up-to-date school calendar can be found here.
Tuition: Early Childhood tuition ranges from $15,700 to $16,600; Elementary tuition ranges from $16,900 to $17,300; Middle School tuition is $20,800; High School tuition is $22,900.
Contact: Amy Nylund, Director of Early Childhood & Elementary Admissions / Krista Phillips, Director of Middle & High School Admissions | 512-623-5406 | admissions@headwaters.org