As in all progressive cities education is important to the people of Austin Texas – and it is an especially important consideration for those relocating to a new city. That 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 Texas 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.

Today the Department of Education estimates that 6 million students attend the country’s 33000 private schools – about 11 percent of all American elementary and high school students. These Austin 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.

Austin’s Private Schools

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 Texas 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 Austin Metro area is more than 11000 and student tuition ranges from $300 per month to $18000 per school year. Austin also has an active home school and charter school community.

The following is a list of the 25 largest private schools in the Austin Texas area – including the most recent enrollment figures (as of May 2012) grades served address contact information and website where available.

Austin’s 25 Largest Private Schools

1. Regents School of Austin

Grades K-12; Enrollment: 900+
3230 Travis Country Circle
512-899-8095
www.regents-austin.com

Focus is “a classical and Christian education in the service of both God and man.”

2. St. Andrew’s Episcopal School

Grades 1-12; Enrollment: 850
Lower & Middle Schools – Grades K-12
1112 West 31st Street
512-299-9800
Upper School – Grades 9-12
5901 Southwest Parkway
512-299-9700
www.sasaustin.org

Episcopal school focused on well-rounded education of community service academics and social skills.

3. Brentwood Christian School

Grades PK-12; Enrollment: 713+
11908 N. Lamar Blvd.
512-835-5983
www.brentwoodchristian.org

“Christ-centered education” at Church of Christ school.

4. St. Stephen’s Episcopal School

Grades 6-12; Enrollment: 665+
2900 Bunny Run
512-327-1213
www.sstx.org

Rigorous academics/college prep school; sports fine arts activities; boarding optional.

5. Hyde Park Baptist School

Grades K-12; Enrollment: 540+
3901 Speedway
512-465-8338
www.hpbs.org

Academic excellence Christian values college prep curriculum; Affiliated with Hyde Park Baptist Church.

6. Redeemer Lutheran School

Grades K-8; Enrollment: 500+
1500 West Anderson Lane
512-451-6478
www.redeemerschool.net

“Christ-centered environment dedicated to developing the whole child: spiritually intellectually physically emotionally socially.”

7. Hill Country Christian School of Austin

Grades K-12; Enrollment: 500+
12124 RR 620 North
512-331-7036
www.hillcountrychristianschool.org

Christ-centered college prep school with “classical teaching methodology.”

8. Round Rock Christian Academy

Grades PK-12; Enrollment: 500+
301 N. Lake Creek Drive
512-255-4491 (Main office); 512-716-1354 (Secondary office)
www.rrca-tx.org

Curriculum includes chapel Bible study music fine arts learning centers and creative play.

9. Holy Family Catholic School

Grades PK-8; Enrollment: 450+
9400 Neenah Avenue
512-246-4455
www.holyfamilycs.org

Catholic Christ-centered school with a “nurturing environment that fosters the growth of the whole child.”

10. St. Theresa’s School

Grades PK-8; Enrollment: 425+
4311 Small Drive
512-451-7105
www.st-theresa.org

School’s mission is to “develop elementary/middle school students to their full potential by educating them in a Catholic and academically excellent environment.”

11. St. Gabriel’s Catholic School

Grades PK-8; Enrollment: 400+
2500 Wimberly Lane
512-327-7755
www.sgs-austin.org

St. Gabriel’s Catholic School “celebrates the individuality of each child and cultivates virtue excellence leadership and service.”

12. St. Michael’s Catholic Academy

Grades 9-12; Enrollment: 400
3000 Barton Creek Blvd.
512-328-2323
www.smca.com

College prep school; “academic excellence combined with faith formation.”

13. Trinity Episcopal School

Grades K-8; Enrollment: 400
3901 Bee Cave Road
512-472-9525
www.trinitykids.com

A school in which students are “engaged spiritually physically intellectually and academically;” daily chapel services.

14. Austin Waldorf School

Grades PK-12; Enrollment: 380+
8700 South View Road
512-288-5942
www.austinwaldorf.org

Grades K-12; Focus on balancing “academic artistic and practical disciplines”

15. St. Louis Catholic School

Grades PK-8; Enrollment: 365
2114 St. Joseph Blvd.
512-454-0384
www.st-louis.org/school.htm

Catholic school and community of faith; affiliated with St. Louis King of France Catholic Church.

16. Summit Christian Academy

Grades PK-12 (Cedar Park campus) and 2-4 year old program at the Leander and Steiner Ranch Locations); Enrollment: 425
2121 Cypress Creek Road;
512-250-1369 (Cedar Park)
1303 Leander Drive;
512-259-4416 (Leander)
www.summiteagles.org

Curriculum includes “rigorous academics training in Biblical character and engagement in servanthood;” affiliated with Shoreline Christian School at the high school level.

17. Austin Montessori School

Grades: Preschool-8; Enrollment: 280
5006 Sunset Trail (Main campus)
512-892-0253
6817 Great Northern Blvd.
(Great Northern campus)
512-450-1940
5676 Oak Blvd.
(Adolescent community)
www.austinmontessori.org

Ages 14 months–9 years; Association Montessori Internationale curriculum.

18. Shoreline Christian School

Grades PK-12; Enrollment: 275+
15201 Burnet Road
512-310-7358
www.shorelinechristianschool.org

Christian-based education; school partnered with Summit Christian Academy as start of effort to create a Christian school district.

19. St. Ignatius Martyr School

Grades PK-8; Enrollment: 272
120 West Oltorf Street
512-442-8547
www.st-ignatius.org/school/

School is a “Christian environment where students teachers and parents build a community of faith hope and love.”

20. Strickland Christian School

Grades PreK-8; Enrollment: 225+
7415 Menchaca Road
512-447-1447
www.stricklandschool.com

School’s mission is to “equip students to be lovers of Jesus and His Word and to emulate Christ’s character purpose and ministry.”

21. St. Austin Catholic School

Grades K-8; Enrollment: 208
1911 San Antonio Street
512-477-3751
www.staustinschool.org

Elementary / middle school opened in 1917; affiliated with St. Austin church.

22. St. Martin’s Lutheran Day School

Grades 18 months-K; Enrollment: 190
606 West 15th Street
512-476-4037
www.saintmartins.org

Balanced integrated education programs; music art computers and Spanish.

23. All Saints Episcopal School

Grades PreK3-K; Enrollment: 170+
209 West 27th Street
512-472-8866
www.allsaints-austin.org/aseds.htm

Espiscopal school that is focused on “learning through active exploration.”

24. St. Paul Lutheran School

Grades PK3-8; Enrollment: 165+
3407 Red River Street
512-472-3313
www.stpaulaustin.org

Elementary/middle school; opened in 1893; affiliated with St. Paul Lutheran Church.

25. The Children’s School

Grades PK-4; Enrollment: 155
2825 Hancock Drive
512-453-1126
www.thechildrensschool.org

Montessori-based curriculum open since 1979.