Bigger, perhaps. Or highly specialized. Or religious. Each a beautiful school in its own way.
Some lovely, effective, learner-centered schools are omitted from the Alternative School Directory because of their larger size, religious orientation, or other criteria. We do recommend them to families when they’re likely to be a good fit. Click on the school names to learn more.
Austin International School
Offering French, Spanish, and English immersion education to pre-K–8th grade children, Austin International School’s unique trilingual program sets high academic and social standards in a secular and truly multicultural community. (North Austin)
Austin Waldorf School
Recognizing that each human being is a unique individual who passes through distinct life stages, AWS addresses the spiritual, emotional, physical, and social needs of each stage, serving K–12 students on a 19-acre campus. (Southwest Austin)
Blaze School
Blaze School offers a dynamic educational experience on a sprawling 96-acre campus in the heart of the Hill Country. Rooted in Christian and American values, Blaze’s rigorous program provides a nurturing environment with individualized attention. Their academic philosophy blends traditional education with innovative hands-on approaches, bringing relevance to learning. Committed to academic rigor and character development, Blaze fosters a love for learning and personal growth, preparing scholars to make a positive difference in the world. (between Bee Cave & Dripping Springs)
City School
Serving PreK–8th grade students, City School offers a unique combination of Charlotte Mason educational philosophy, sliding scale tuition, and diverse, Christian community. Since 2002, its mission has been to provide a feast of education that forms children academically, spiritually, and relationally to follow Christ and serve others. With small class sizes, a rich curriculum, and nurturing community, City School provides a haven in which students can grow in their knowledge of God and His world. (Southeast Austin)
Lake Travis Christian Academy
Lake Travis Christian Academy: An Acton Academy believes that every person has a God-given talent and the ability to change the world. Here, learners use the latest technology in a self-paced learning environment designed to foster ethics, responsibility, goal-setting, and teamwork. As a Christian-based private school, all staff sign a statement of faith, but learners and families from all backgrounds are welcome. (Lake Travis / Spicewood)
The Magellan International School
An International Baccalaureate World School, Magellan currently serves students from pre-K through 8th grade and will open its new high school program in the fall of 2024, offering the IB Diploma. Magellan provides an inquiry-based curriculum and differentiated learning with Spanish immersion and Mandarin instruction in a multicultural community. (moving to new Northwest Austin campus in Fall 2023)
Odyssey School
Helping bright students with learning differences, including ADD, ADHD, and dyslexia, achieve academic success, Odyssey features portfolio-based assessment and service learning. Serving 5th through 12th grades. (Central Austin)
Rawson Saunders School
A full-curriculum school specifically for children with dyslexia, Rawson Saunders provides individualized, multisensory, research-driven instruction in small classes. Serving 1st through 12th grades. (West Central Austin)
St. Francis School
An independent, interdenominational school serving children pre-K through 8th grade, St. Francis is committed to meeting the individual needs of students from many diverse backgrounds with a range of learning abilities. (North Central Austin)
Waterloo School Austin
Waterloo provides 9th–12th grade students a unique schedule—two courses at a time, in trimesters, with Fridays flexible for personalized experiences—to support deep, personalized learning and real-world local engagement. Project-based courses are designed to invite individualized, interdisciplinary study. Waterloo features dual-credit courses, internships, and mentorships as students mature into adulthood. (South Central Austin)
