Austin prides itself on its great educational opportunities.
Educational opportunities are a vital consideration for many people relocating to a new city. The emphasis on quality education has translated into a wealth of choices for private and parochial schools – offering more options for parents and children – and Austin is no exception.
According to U.S. Department of Education statistics private schools have slowly become a more popular alternative – even in the face of recession and curbed spending. Recent figures from a National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) survey found that while enrollment dipped less than 1 percent nationally it’s still higher than it was five years ago.
The Council for American Private Education estimates that nearly 6 million students attend the country’s 33000+ private schools – about 11 percent of all American elementary and high school students. These private schools run the gamut – from elite preparatory academies that cost more than $20000 annually to less pricey parochial schools where tuition is often offset by generous donations.
Given the city’s accolades as an educated community with lots of brainpower it’s not surprising that there are more than 300 private schools in Austin and in surrounding Central Texas communities with enrollment that ranges from pre-K through 12th grade.
The total enrollment for all private schools in the area is more than 11000 and student tuition ranges from $300 per month to $18000 per school year.
The following is a list of the 25 largest private schools in the Austin area – including the most recent enrollment figures (as of March 2013) grades served address contact information and website where available. We’ve also included a general sample of other private schools in the area to give you an idea of the depth and variety the Austin area offers for private education.
Here’s a comprehensive listing of other area private schools and more detailed information about each school – including tuition admissions requirements maps reviews and the ability to search by price location and more –
Abercorn International School
Grades PreK-6 601 Ranch Road 620 South Lakeway TX 78734 512-263-8160 www.abercorninternational.orgAbercorn International is a private international school for boys and girls ages two-and-a-half to 11 years old – offering a global curriculum personal attention a child- and student-centered atmosphere music dance and an emphasis on language skills (including both Mandarin and Spanish) and technology in a comfortable energetic environment.
Founded in London more than 25 years ago Abercorn also operates a sister school in New York as well as in north Austin. The school is dedicated to hiring and carefully selecting highly qualified compassionate teachers and learning assistants. Class sizes are small to guarantee individualized attention for each child and all classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboard technology and computer stations.
Austin Children’s Educational Opportunity (CEO) Foundation
3300 Bee Cave Road Suite 650 512-472-0153 www.ceoaustin.orgA statewide resource for parents for information about public private charter virtual and home schools the Austin CEO Foundation “believes all parents should have the option of choosing their child’s school and that all children deserve a great education.”
Austin International School
(formerly Lycee Francais d’Austin)
Grades PreK-5; Enrollment: 160+ 4001 Adelphi Lane Austin TX 78727 512-331-7806 www.austininternationalschool.orgThe Austin International School offers an “international education based on solid academic foundations lifelong social skills and a positive forward-thinking outlook allowing students to thrive in the world of today and tomorrow.” The school’s curriculum is delivered in three languages and built on a French curriculum framework and is designed to develop students’ critical thinking and intellectual curiosity to prepare them for academic success in French American and international institutions – as well as preparation for the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the French International Baccalaureate diplomas.
Austin Waldorf School
Grades K-12; Enrollment: 380+ 8700 South View Road Austin TX 78737 512-288-5942 www.austinwaldorf.orgFocus on balancing “academic artistic and practical disciplines” the Austin Waldorf School was established in 1980 and serves students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The school’s guiding values are a “lifelong love of learning creative thinking and self-confidence a sympathetic interest in the world and the lives of others and an abiding sense of moral purpose.”
Brentwood Christian School
Grades PK-12; Enrollment: 713+ 11908 N. Lamar Blvd. Austin TX 78753 512-835-5983 www.brentwoodchristian.orgBrentwood Christian School is a Church of Christ school offering a Christian pre-school elementary and secondary education alternative to Austin families. Founded as a kindergarten and first grade in 1963 the school has grown to be one of the largest private schools in Austin offering a complete K-12 educational experience. Today more than 713 students attend Brentwood Christian and 2011 marked the graduation of the school’s 24th class of seniors.
Cathedral School of St. Mary
Grades PreK-8; Enrollment: 190+ 910 San Jacinto Blvd. Austin TX 78701 512-476-1480 www.smcschoolaustin.orgThe elementary/middle school of St. Mary’s Cathedral Catholic church the Cathedral School of St. Mary “enriches students spiritually academically and socially by fostering a diverse community through with and in the teachings of Jesus Christ. As Christian educators we jointly with each parent share the privilege and responsibility of facilitating the growth of the whole child. Through our religious and academic program we help to form the spiritual intellectual social and physical development of every student entrusted to us.” The Cathedral School of St. Mary is accredited by the Texas Catholic Education Department and all faiths are welcome.
Fellowship Christian Academy
Grades K-3; Enrollment: 200+ 3379 Gattis School Road Round Rock 78664 512-255-5265 www.fellowshipfc.orgThe Fellowship Christian Academy’s focus is on “Christ-centered educational experience” that meets individual needs of each child to help children grow physically academically emotionally and spiritually. The school “strives to offer excellent programs to promote Christian principles and support for children and their families in our community.”
Girls’ School of Austin
Grades K-8; Enrollment: 80+ 2007 McCall Road Austin TX 78730 512-478-7827 www.thegirlsschool.orgThis all-girls school with special emphasis on math science and technology also offers a liberal arts program that includes visual and performing arts (classes in music and drama) and Spanish beginning in Kindergarten with “girl-centric classrooms that make it easier for students to focus on academics in a community of like-minded peers.”
The Griffin School
Grades 9-12; Enrollment: 60+ 710 East 41st Street Austin TX 78751 512-454-5797 www.griffinschool.orgThe Griffin School features a rigorous college prep curriculum with focus on the arts; all students are taught one year of Latin and ancient Roman culture. Seniors create an individual “senior project” that demonstrates their accumulated academic skills and interests through the production of a significant project of their own design. There’s also a focus on developing students’ personal learning and organizational systems test-taking skills for the SAT and support in the college application process.
Parkside Community School
Grades PreK-6; Enrollment: 140+ 1701 Toomey Road Austin TX 78704 512-472-2559 www.parksidecommunityschool.orgParkside Community School serves three-year-olds to twelve-year-olds (primary through upper elementary). Parkside offers a strong Association Montessori Internationale curriculum while “cultivating social skills and a strong sense of community through school-wide activities and outdoor experiences” and is committed to “providing academic excellence and rich social experiences to nurture the child family and community.”
Rawson-Saunders School
Grades 1-8; Enrollment: 100+ 2614A Exposition Blvd. Austin TX 78703 512-476-8382 www.rawson-saunders.orgFounded in 1997 Rawson-Saunders School is the only full-curriculum school in Central Texas specifically for students with dyslexia and related language-based learning disorders. The school is “dedicated to excellence in education through which bright learners with dyslexia can develop to their fullest intellectual emotional and social potential” with a challenging curriculum that includes multi-sensory instruction in small classroom environments.
