Nature Pod Homeschool→

Location: Way South Austin
308 Hermosa Dr.
Manchaca, Texas 78652
Students served: PreK–5th grade
Current enrollment: 18 total students; 1:6 teacher-student ratio
Model/philosophy: This nature-based learning environment is situated on a 5-acre homestead with cozy indoor classrooms as well as ample outdoor learning space to include nature trails, playground, gardens, outdoor classroom, and farm animals. The use of mixed-age groups supports students in learning at their own pace as well as developing diverse social skills. Nature Pod delivers a blend of nature-based, play-based, and project-based curriculum that is guided by state standards (TEKS) and aimed to challenge young minds while keeping learning fun and engaging.
Special features: Nature Pod offers a shortened 4-day school week to support home/school life balance. There is also a Fun Friday option that can be added to the school week or be utilized as a stand-alone 1 day-per-week program. This is a small, close-knit community that gathers frequently, hosts weekly after-school playdates, and has lots of opportunity for (non-required) parent involvement. Their students learn American Sign Language as a foreign language and receive support from deaf interns throughout the school year.
Schedule: 9am–3pm Monday–Thursday with optional Friday enrichment; annual calendar is loosely based off of AISD with the school year running approximately mid-August to late May.
Tuition: Monday–Thursday $850 per month; Friday enrichment program $150 per month for enrolled students, $250 per month for standalone participants.
Contact: Victoria Shope, Founder | naturepodhomeschool@gmail.com | 512-922-1969

Nature's Schoolhouse Microschool→

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

The Nest→

Location: South Austin
Students served: 18 months–2 1/2 years old
Current enrollment: 12
Model/philosophy: The Nest, a small and intimate environment, is primarily designed to provide opportunities that help support the young child’s initial transition from home to school. Indoor and outdoor prepared environments are thoughtfully designed to support the child’s budding independence as well as their need for exploration. The curriculum integrates nature and art while remaining strongly rooted in the Montessori philosophy.
Special features: The Nest provides engaging indoor and outdoor environments in a nurturing home setting in south Austin. Strong nature and art curriculum, including an annual Outdoor Art Show featuring the children's work. Regular community events and strong parent support, including support in the school search process.
Schedule: Families may choose between 3-day or 4-day enrollment, Tuesday–Thursday or Monday–Thursday. Hours of operation are 8:30am–12:30pm for both options. The Nest generally follows the AISD calendar with slight variations. The school year runs from August through May, with an optional month of summer camp through the end of June. The Nest closes for one week in the fall and spring and two weeks in the winter.
Tuition: Tuition can be paid monthly or annually. Annual tuition for 3-day enrollment is $7,750. Annual tuition for 4-day enrollment is $9,250. First-Time Enrollment Fee is $300. Annual Materials Fee is $400.
Contact: Laura Delgado, Owner/Director/Guide | themontessoritree@gmail.com

NextGen Academy→

Location: Northwest Austin
13915 US-183
Austin, TX 78717
Students served: Grades 5-8
Current enrollment: 3; rolling admissions
Model/philosophy: NextGen Academy is a mastery-based school for grades 5–8, integrating AI-powered academic learning with cutting-edge life skills development. Students master core subjects in just 2 hours each morning, giving them afternoons to immerse in hands-on workshops fueled by the latest technology in an immersive, high-tech environment that inspires creativity. With an additional 4 hours each day, students dive into AI, public speaking, entrepreneurship, game development, and creative problem-solving, while engaging with top-tier tech tools that make learning exciting and dynamic. Mentored by industry experts, NextGen Academy keeps students excited about school while equipping them with the skills to thrive in high school and beyond.
Special features: Students are motivated by their expert Guides, who help students find their passion through utilizing cutting-edge technology, including a state-of-the-art competition arena, VR headsets, high-powered Alienware PCs, and a professional podcasting and shoutcasting studio.
Schedule: 8:15am–4pm, Monday–Friday; August 14, 2024–June 6, 2025
Tuition: $25,000 annually. All supplies and workshops are included.
Contact: Beau Sydes, Head of School | 512-222-4065 | austin.admisisons@nextgenacademy.school

Oak Ridge Academy→

Location: Leander
1400 Spivey Road
Leander, TX 78641
Students served: Currently serving ages 4–12; reopening middle school studio next year
Current enrollment: 20 students (expanding with middle school studio next year)
Model/philosophy: Oak Ridge Academy provides a themed-learning and inquiry-based education. It exposes learners to concepts and skills through unit-study style academics, builds deep relationships, challenges learners beyond their comfort zones, and cultivates a culture that celebrates personal growth.
Special features: No testing, homework, or attendance requirements; project-based accomplishment tracking rather than grades; flexibility for family travel; emphasis on field trips and real-world experiences; school culture of kindness and respect for all; relationship building at the center; social-emotional learning of equal importance as academics; use of outdoor spaces to teach about sustainability practices, gardening, farm-animal care, and connecting with nature
Schedule: 9am–4pm, Monday–Friday, September–January (Semester 1) and January–June (Semester 2)
Tuition: $6,700 per semester
Contact: Stephanie U'Ren, Head of School | stephu@oakridgelearning.com

Pío Pío Preschool→

Location: South Austin
9808 Briar Ridge Dr.
Austin, TX 78748
Students served: Enrolling children ages 2–4
Current enrollment: 12-student maximum class size; 6:1 ratio with two full-time, certified teachers
Model/philosophy: Pío Pío is a Reggio-inspired, Spanish immersion home preschool located in South Austin, distinguished by its low student-to-teacher ratio and highly qualified, experienced educators. With over 30 years of combined teaching experience, co-founders and sisters Alexandra and Michelle are thrilled to welcome you to Pío Pío Preschool, a project that is the fruit of their passion for early childhood education, creativity, and respect for humans of all sizes. Pío Pío offers a child-centered, play-based program that follows an emergent curriculum, where children are encouraged to inquire into the world around them through exciting projects and developmentally appropriate learning experiences.
Special features: Spanish immersion—all programs are taught fully in Spanish to help children develop their Spanish language skills and the accompanying neurological benefits of second-language acquisition. Reggio-inspired—the program celebrates the idea that children have “100 languages” with which to express themselves; students are provided with opportunities to create and demonstrate understanding through art, music, drama, sculpture, movement, and the culinary arts. Art & Music—as part of an interdisciplinary approach to education, sound and aesthetics are used as vehicles for both expression and learning. Extracurricular Program (EP)—Monday, Cooking; Tuesday, Sport; Wednesday, Atelier; Thursday, Music & Movement
Schedule: Regular Program runs Mon–Thurs 8am–3pm; Extracurricular Program runs Mon–Thurs 3pm–5pm; Pollitos Program runs on Fridays 9am–9:30am and 10am-10:30am; Pío Pío follows the AISD calendar Sept–May and offers a Summer School Program during the month of August.
Tuition: Regular Program, $1,225/month; Extracurricular Program, $350/month; Pollitos Program, $175/month
Contact: info@piopiopreschool.com | 512-799-4026

Rifugio Austin→

Location: Mueller (Northeast Central Austin)
1310 E 51st St.
Austin, TX 78723
Students served: K–5th
Current enrollment: 10 students currently enrolled; looking to have enrollment at 15 for 2023–2024 school year
Model/philosophy: Rifugio Austin is a holistic project-based school currently serving students grades K–2 and expanding to 5th grade. From inspiration and first-hand experience of the Rifugios in the Italian Alps, the school provides the same refuge and warmth that each Rifugio provides from the natural elements. Rifugio Austin is built upon that experience, and the school environment is that of a safe and nurturing space where children will feel at home.
Special features: At Rifugio Austin, the educational foundation includes the simple belief that each child deserves to have their unique and individual needs fully met. By providing a stable, secure space, children will naturally explore, experiment, inquire, create, dream, believe, and do. The environment is inclusive, and children are respected as individuals who are unique and on their own learning journey.
Schedule: 8am–3:15pm Monday–Friday; 3:15pm–5pm after-school program; follows AISD calendar
Tuition: $1,700 monthly tuition + $1,400 yearly annual fee + $250 new student enrollment fee + $200 after-school program
Contact: Ariana DiNielli | admissions@rifugioaustin.com

Texas Sports Academy→

Location: Bee Cave, Lake Travis
4402 Hudson Bend Rd
Austin, TX 78734
Students served: Grades K–8
Current enrollment: 8; rolling admissions for 2024–2025 school year
Model/philosophy: Texas Sports Academy is a mastery-based, self-paced K–8 school that combines AI-powered learning with students' passion for sports. Academics are completed in just 2 hours per day, with afternoons focused on guide-led life skills workshops and athletic training. The school emphasizes learning through movement and critical life skills like teamwork, leadership, and giving and receiving feedback, helping students excel both academically and athletically. With personalized support and coaching from former NFL, NBA, MLB, and D1 athletes, Texas Sports Academy equips students with the discipline and skills for success in both education and sports.
Special features: State-of-the-art sports facilities including sports fields, Parkour gym, rock climbing, and the latest and greatest equipment for movement and play.
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: Jamal Gross, Chief Ambassador | admissions@sportsacademy.school

Tigerlily Preschool→

Location: South Austin
8601 S 1st St
Austin Texas 78748
Students served: Ages 3–5
Current enrollment: 12
Model/philosophy: Reggio inspired, teachers strive to understand children better and support their exploration and knowledge-building of this very interesting and good-feeling world, together. Tigerlily is a good-feeling place for everyone.
Special features: Highly experienced and gifted teachers who provide thoughtful experiences in a welcoming environment where each child is valued and celebrated; a beautiful and spacious environment; thoughtful social and emotional learning; daily documentation; creative expression; play; outdoor education; community events; experience in supporting children with special needs
Schedule: 4 or 5 days per week, 9:30am–2:30pm; largely follows AISD calendar; closed in July
Tuition: $1,050 per month for 4 days per week, $1,310 per month for 5 days per week
Contact: Marie Catrett, Founder/Teacher/Director | 512-436-0583 | marie@tigerlilypreschool.com

Whole Life Learning Center→

Location: South Austin
Preschool & Elementary Campus
10801 Old San Antonio Road
Austin, TX 78748
Middle School Campus
10817 Old San Antonio Road
Austin, TX 78748
Students served: Ages 3–14 (PreK–8th grade)
Current enrollment: 95 (five mixed-age classes of 16–22 learners)
Model/philosophy: A holistic approach to education that synthesizes insights from Waldorf, Montessori, and democratic education; offering an integrated, multicultural curriculum with arts and academics, child-centered and project-based learning, mixed age groups, and small Mentor/Learner ratios. WLLC's mission is to inspire lifelong learners, creative change-makers, and conscientious leaders for a more equitable, just, and sustainable world.
Special features: The Whole Life Learning Center provides loving mentorship and an environment that enriches the imagination with creative play; nourishes the soul through song, stories, and art; inspires the mind through fun challenges and multi-sensory learning materials; and feeds the heart through connection with each other and nature. Youth work with Mentors to develop holistic learning plans, honoring each learner’s intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual development; groups work together to choose enrichment classes, plan projects, and organize special events. Located in South Austin on 3 acres between 2 campuses, with ample outdoor learning and playing spaces, permaculture gardens, a food forest, pond, and chickens.
Schedule: Drop-off between 8:30am and 9am, Monday–Friday; staggered pick-up between 3pm and 4pm daily depending on your child's class, and aftercare available until 5:30pm. WLLC generally follows the AISD calendar. Please refer to the school calendar for details.
Tuition: $14,500 per year for all enrolled students. Additionally, families are required to pay a nonrefundable $500 registration fee and $500 supply fee upon enrollment/re-enrollment. The enrollment fee payment is due once annually, per family (not per child).
Contact: 512-676-5898 ext. 0 | info@wholelifelearningcenter.com | wholelifelearningcenter.com

Wholesome Generation→

Location: North Austin
12251 Running Bird Lane
Austin, TX 78758
Students served: 18 months through Grade 7
Current enrollment: 75 total. Toddler class ratio 1:4. PreK class ratio 1:8. K–Middle School class ratio 1:10.
Model/philosophy: Wholesome Generation’s mission is to inspire students to create deeply nourishing experiences, leading to academic and personal growth and happiness. The innovative learning community creates classroom, farm, and wilderness adventures, engaging learners’ minds, hands, and hearts. The healing program honors and holds space for all to reclaim and reconnect to the land and food systems and to move into creating. Teachers share healing modalities such as self-care and community health, while inspiring with Reggio Emilia–focused teaching based on play, pace, and progress. There is a strong emphasis on STEAM/science exploration, entrepreneurial learning, equine therapy, fine arts and language (Spanish), and social-emotional skill building.
Special features: WG’s program encourages youth to connect to nature and create via entrepreneurship lessons, Rewilding Camps, and equine therapy. Equine activities improve student confidence, self-assurance, verbal communication, focus, and mindfulness, and help develop problem-solving strategies and skills. WG empowers students to use its Equine model as a guiding light to develop their own business ideas, present them to the school community, and get support in fundraising for those projects. Diet-specific, local/organic, refined-sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan/vegetarian lunch and 2 snacks made fresh on site are included in tuition. WG also inspires students to explore entrepreneurship learning and offers enriching academic activities to support independent learners interested in early skill development. Community youth classes on weekends: Spanish, art lab, culinary.
Schedule: 8am–5pm. Wholesome Generation follows the AISD calendar, with the exception of the summer, when it offers 8 full weeks of Rewilding youth camps (same hours as during the school year). All classes are offered year-round (with the same hours).
Tuition: Wholesome Generation accepts Workforce Solutions/CCMS for student scholarships. It is also a United Way/AISD approved classroom and accepts qualifying students (PreK3, PreK4) with a prorated, discounted rate. Full-time tuition for parents not qualifying for the low-income scholarship are offered a $1,250 monthly tuition rate (including 2 organic snacks and full vegan/vegetarian/meat-based lunches).
Contact: Lene Saint-Orens | lene@wholesomegeneration.org | 254-338-1333

Wild Life Forest Preschool→

Location: Bastrop, TX (25 minutes east of Austin)
137 Woodview Ln
Bastrop, TX 78602
Students served: Ages 3–5
Current enrollment: 20 students each day, with 3 instructors
Model/philosophy: Modeled after forest preschools in Europe and around the world, Wild Life Forest Preschool at Earth Native is play-based, child-led, and earth-conscious. Children learn as the mammals do, by following their satisfaction through play, by challenging their bodies, and by experiencing the patterns of their environment, both natural and social, in a forest they themselves care for. Children will build the foundations of writing, science, math, art, and physical development—even confidence and happiness—by exploring the forest with their friends. And of course, Wild Life Forest Preschool will make certain your child’s first adventures are considerate, careful, and safe.
Special features: Located on 80 beautiful acres of land, covered in native hardwood trees with abundant wildlife, incredible native plant diversity, and a spring-fed year-round creek. Small, intimate class size with a maximum of 20 students per day with 3 instructors. Curriculum is inspiration based and will include the establishment of deep connections to nature; animal tracks, bird language; empathy and understanding of local wildlife; plant identification, including edible, medicinal, and useful local plants; campfires; adventures; and fun!
Schedule: Hours are 9am–2pm. Program options include Monday/Wednesday program, Tuesday/Thursday program, and Friday program. School calendar runs September–May.
Tuition: Monthly payments of $220 (Friday program) or $445 (M/W or T/Th program). Full tuition rates range from $1,890 to $3,915.
Contact: Dave Scott | 512-299-8870 | info@earthnativeschool.com

WonderWell→

Location: Southwest Austin
Students served: Ages 2 (Pre-Primary) through 6 (Kindergarten)
Current enrollment: 100
Model/philosophy: WonderWell is a highly acclaimed private preschool that embraces emergent curriculum and the Reggio Emilia philosophy of early childhood education. The program endorses the belief that children learn best when their learning is personally meaningful and relevant to their own interests and lives. The school's mission is to inspire its students' innate curiosity and instill a deep love of learning. WonderWell passionately serves children ages 2 through 6 years, with its Primary and Pre-Primary programs as well as its exclusive Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs.
Special features: WonderWell’s innovative campus is an exemplar of progressive educational design. Each day, students participate in enrichment classes across uniquely tailored spaces, such as “Maker Day” in the Atelier, “Eat the Rainbow” in Health and Fitness, and learning about distinguished authors and children's books in “The Well,” the school's newly unveiled library. A dedicated school nurse and onsite security ensure a safe and nurturing environment. The school's layout also includes a carefully designed Courtyard, concealed from public view, providing a private, protected space for students and staff alike.
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8am–4pm; closed in June and July; summer camps designed and offered by WonderWell staff
Tuition: See website for WonderWell's tuition and fee structure, payment plans: https://wonderwell.com/investment
Contact: Ashley Ivey, Founder and Director | ashley@wonderwell.com | 512-982-4310