Location: Dripping Springs
26650 Ranch Rd 12
Dripping Springs, TX 78620 (inside of DSPC)
Students served: High School (Grades 9–12)
Current enrollment: Launching September 2024
Model/philosophy: Project-based learning, thematic teaching, Socratic discussions, hands-on learning, home economics, internships, character development
Special features: Mission Heights 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 Mission Heights, education is a transformative journey, molding students into adaptable, life-ready individuals poised to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Schedule: Core Program is Monday–Thursday 8:30am–3:40pm; Friday is an optional Community/Project Day
Tuition: $12,000 annual tuition; $150 one-time application fee; $600 annual supply fee
Contact: Sarah Pevehouse, Founder | https://www.facebook.com/MissionHeightsEducation
Each listing in this alphabetical directory gives you a snapshot of a small, independent, alternative school in the Austin area.
This frequently updated list spans several pages, with navigation buttons at the bottom. Clicking on the name of a school will take you to its own website. 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 in graduate school, 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.
