Location: Dripping Springs
26650 Ranch Rd 12
Dripping Springs, TX 78620 (inside of DSPC)
Students served: High School (Grades 9–12)
Current enrollment: 9 full-time, 3 part-time, plus enrichment / field trip students (homeschoolers)
Model/philosophy: Apogee Dripping Springs is not just a high school but a transformative bridge to adulthood. Tailored for discerning parents and motivated students, this micro-school uniquely blends rigorous academics with crucial life skills, such as financial literacy and emotional intelligence. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and community engagement, preparing students for real-world challenges. Each student receives personalized mentorship alongside practical experiences through internships and community projects. At Apogee Dripping Springs, education is a transformative journey, molding students into adaptable, life-ready individuals poised to succeed in an ever-changing world. All parents who enroll their teens in ADS will automatically be enrolled in an adult mentorship program hosted by the Apogee Strong Foundation.
Special features: Project-based learning, thematic teaching, Socratic discussions, hands-on learning, home economics, culinary class, internships, character development, ACC dual credit
Schedule: Core Program is Monday–Friday 8:30am–3:40pm. Part-time is Tuesday/Thursday 8:30–3:30pm
Tuition: $15,500 annual tuition; $150 one-time application fee; $600 annual supply fee
Contact: Sarah Pevehouse, Founder | info@apogeedrippingsprings.com
Each listing in this alphabetical directory gives you a snapshot of a small, secular, independent, alternative school in the Austin area.
Hover over and click on a school’s name at the top of its listing to open the school’s website in a new tab. This frequently updated list spans several pages, with navigation buttons at the bottom. To easily find schools by geographical area, see our Alt Ed Maps page. If you know of a school that’s missing from this directory, please drop a note here, and see Alt Ed Austin’s criteria for “alternative” and “school.” You may also be interested in our directories of other recommended schools (which are mostly larger or more specialized or religiously oriented), as well as special programs for children and adults.
Full disclosure: Alt Ed Austin founder Teri Sperry has ties with several of the schools listed on this site. Her child, now an adult, attended two of them years ago. She has friends who direct, teach at, or are otherwise involved in others. Some programs choose to advertise from time to time on Alt Ed Austin as Sponsoring Partners. She firmly believes that all of the schools featured on this site (including the ones to which she has no personal connection and those from which she receives no advertising fees) are good choices for some kids, each for different reasons.
