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.comFocus 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.orgEpiscopal 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.orgRigorous 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.orgAcademic 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.orgChrist-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.orgCurriculum 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.orgCatholic 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.orgSchool’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.orgSt. 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.comCollege 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.comA 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.orgGrades 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.htmCatholic 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.orgCurriculum 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.orgAges 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.orgChristian-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.comSchool’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.orgElementary / 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.orgBalanced 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.htmEspiscopal 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.orgElementary/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.orgMontessori-based curriculum open since 1979.