Location: Central Austin
2517 Enfield Rd.
Austin, TX 78704
Students served: Ages 2–6, including children receiving therapy services and typically developing peer models who help create a natural, inclusive learning environment
Current enrollment: 18 students; each classroom is designed for approximately 10 students total, with an intentional balance of approximately 60% peer models and 40% children receiving therapy services to create a natural, inclusive learning environment.
Model/philosophy: Little Sparks is a fully licensed, inclusive early childhood education program. It is proud to be accredited through the Texas Rising Star program at the 4-star level, the highest quality rating awarded. The small classrooms and low ratios provide individualized instruction, with a personalized curriculum that supports children at every stage of development. In addition to preschool programming, Little Sparks also offers applied behavior analysis (ABA) and speech therapy for children who may benefit from extra support within the classroom. These services are seamlessly integrated into the program, ensuring that children can grow, learn, and thrive in a setting that meets their individual needs while still enjoying the benefits of an inclusive classroom community.
Special features: Inside the charming schoolhouse, students experience a warm, welcoming environment that encourages curiosity and creativity. It's a tight-knit community where families are actively involved and connected, making the school feel like an extension of home. The play-based program emphasizes learning through play while teaching important classroom skills and routines. Children enjoy outdoor time each day, giving them space to move, explore, and build friendships. The Central Austin location allows for countless opportunities to engage with the surrounding community, bringing real-world experiences into everyday learning.
Schedule: 8:30am–2:30pm; full-time or part-time enrollment options; aftercare until 5pm available
Tuition: Tuition at Little Sparks varies depending on each child’s enrollment schedule, but its rates are competitive for the Austin area. Call today to learn more about tuition options and current availability. For children with an autism diagnosis, insurance coverage may be available for applied behavior analysis (ABA) and speech therapy services. The team is happy to walk families through the process and discuss how coverage may help offset costs. Additional fees include an annual registration fee, a supply & materials fee, and field trip or special event fees (as applicable).
Contact: Hannah, Childcare Director | 512-900-1425 | scheduling@spark-learning.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.
