Location: South Central Austin
4807 Pawnee Pathway
Austin, TX 78745
Students served: Ages 5–15
Current enrollment: 12
Model/philosophy: A traveling, experiential learning, hands-on school
Special features: The school travels in 2 passenger vans around Central Texas to explore learning and spends time at the home base integrating these experiences while focusing on reading, writing, and math. There is a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning and a peer mentoring program.
Schedule: 9am–3pm Monday–Friday
Tuition: $1000/month or $350/week or $100/day; $800 annual fee
Contact: John Thoms, Teacher/Co-owner | 512-731-9497 | john@rovinglearners.com
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.
To narrow the list by age level, select one
of the following tags:
School on the Rise→
/Location: Southwest of Austin
Rim Rock Trail
Austin, TX 78737
Students served: K–8. Kindergarten is Banyan Forest Kindergarten, a nature-based Spanish Immersion program. School on The Rise is a nature-based elementary program.
Current enrollment: School on The Rise currently has 9 students: 3 in 1st grade, 6 in a combined 2nd/3rd grade. Maximum class size is 12 students.
Model/philosophy: School on the Rise is an elementary micro-school located on eight beautiful acres just outside Austin city limits, in southwest Travis County, deep in the heart of Texas. It is designed for families who have an interest in alternative education, specifically Waldorf education, and who are seeking small class sizes, a spirit of innovation, a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, teachers willing to work with each child's uniqueness, a social environment of acceptance and personal responsibility, the right amount of academic challenge, plenty of time in nature, and considerably less homework.
Special features: The educational program serves the range of grade levels from 1st grade through 8th grade. New groups of students for a grade level are formed in direct response to parent interest and need. The days and weeks are structured to provide both consistency and variety. Each day begins with vigorous physical movement, singing, and recitation, and then the 90-minute "main lesson." The remainder of each day is spent in academic practice periods, artistic classes, and recesses. The teachers work individually with students in the areas of skill development such as math and language arts. As is typical in a Waldorf classroom, each student makes books that provide a personal record of their learning process.
Schedule: 9am–3pm Monday–Friday. Typical school holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas/Winter Holidays, Spring Break, Easter. Typical school year runs late August–late May.
Tuition: Full tuition for the 2023–2024 school year is $16,632. This includes all fees. Limited financial assistance may be available.
Contact: hello@schoolontherise.com
Tigerlily Preschool→
/Location: South Austin
8601 S. 1st St.
Austin, Texas 78748
Students served: Ages 3–5
Current enrollment: ongoing enrollment; max class size of 12 children with 2 teachers
Model/philosophy: Tigerlily believes that children are capable and confident problem solvers, curious about challenges, and take great delight in expanding their knowledge of the world around them. As we connect to our bodies through daily exploration of the natural world, our indoor and outdoor learning spaces will allow children time and space to explore these wonderful learning adventures of childhood.
Special features: Art: creative expression is central to a vibrant childhood; each child has the opportunity to draw, paint, collage, build, and sculpt with clay often; with this daily access, art mediums become powerful languages for the child to express their thoughts, ideas, questions, worries, and wonder. Documenting children’s learning: teachers share daily with the parent community, thinking together to support continued work together. Social emotional learning: every day in a preschool classroom is a day to make things better with each other; children learn language and social skills to support interactions that recognize and value each other and people in the world around them. We affirm and welcome all family structures and gender identities and seek to support children as change makers.
Schedule: Monday–Thursday 9:30am–2:30pm August–May; summer session
Tuition: $1,000 per month; $125 supply fee due August and January
Contact: info@tigerlilypreschool.com
Whole Life Learning Center→
/Location: South Austin
Preschool & Elementary Campus
10801 Old San Antonio Road
Austin, TX 78748
Middle School Campus (NEW LOCATION)
10817 Old San Antonio Road
Austin, TX 78748
Students served: Ages 3–14 (PreK–8th grade)
Current enrollment: 95 (five mixed-age classes of 16–22 learners)
Model/philosophy: A holistic approach to education that synthesizes insights from Waldorf, Montessori, and democratic education; offering an integrated, multicultural curriculum with arts and academics, child-centered and project-based learning, mixed age groups, and small Mentor/Learner ratios. WLLC's mission is to inspire lifelong learners, creative change-makers, and conscientious leaders for a more equitable, just, and sustainable world.
Special features: Youth work with Mentors to develop holistic learning plans, honoring each learner’s intellectual, emotional, physical, and spiritual development; groups work together to choose enrichment classes, plan projects, and organize special events. Located in South Austin on 3 acres between 2 campuses, with permaculture gardens, a food forest, pond, and chickens. WLLC's Early Childhood Program serves ages 3–5. The school provides loving mentorship and an environment that enriches the imagination with creative play; nourishes the soul through song, stories, and art; inspires the mind through fun challenges and multi-sensory learning materials; and feeds the heart through connection with each other and nature.
Schedule: Drop-off between 8:30am and 9am, Monday–Friday; staggered pick-up between 3pm and 4pm daily depending on your child's class, and aftercare available until 5:30pm. WLLC generally follows the AISD calendar. Please refer to the school calendar for details.
Tuition: $12,000 per year for Elementary and Middle School and $13,000 for Preschool. All families are also required to pay a nonrefundable $500 registration fee and $350 supply fee upon enrollment/re-enrollment. The enrollment fee payment is due once annually, per family (not per child).
Contact: 512-676-5898 ext. 0 | info@wholelifelearningcenter.com | wholelifelearningcenter.com
Wholesome Generation→
/Location: North Austin
12251 Running Bird Lane
Austin, TX 78758
Students served: 18 months through Grade 7
Current enrollment: 75 total. Toddler class ratio 1:4. PreK class ratio 1:5. K–Middle School class ratio 1:5.
Model/philosophy: Wholesome Generation’s mission is to inspire students to create deeply nourishing experiences, leading to academic and personal growth and happiness. The innovative learning community creates classroom, farm, and wilderness adventures, engaging learners’ minds, hands, and hearts. The healing program honors and holds space for all to reclaim and reconnect to the land and food systems and to move into creating. Teachers share healing modalities such as self-care and community health, while inspiring with Reggio Emilia–focused teaching based on play, pace, and progress. There is a strong emphasis on science exploration, entrepreneurial learning, equine therapy, fine arts, and social-emotional skill building.
Special features: WG’s program encourages youth to connect to nature and create via entrepreneurship lessons, Rewilding Camps, and equine therapy. Equine activities improve student confidence, self-assurance, verbal communication, focus, and mindfulness, and help develop problem-solving strategies and skills. WG empowers students to use its Equine model as a guiding light to develop their own business ideas, present them to the school community, and get support in fundraising for those projects. Diet-specific, local/organic, refined-sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan/vegetarian lunch and 2 snacks made fresh on site are included in tuition.
Schedule: 8:30am–4:30pm. After-care will be offered starting August 2024. Wholesome Generation follows the AISD calendar, with the exception of the summer, when it offers 8 full weeks of Rewilding youth camps (same hours as during the school year). All classes are offered year-round (with the same hours).
Tuition: Wholesome Generation accepts Workforce Solutions/CCMS for student scholarships. It is also a United Way/AISD approved classroom and accepts qualifying students (PreK3, PreK4) with a prorated, discounted rate. Full-time tuition for parents not qualifying for the low-income scholarship are offered a $1,200 monthly tuition rate (including 2 organic snacks and full lunch daily).
Contact: Lene Saint-Orens | lene@wholesomegeneration.org | 254-338-1333
Wild Life Forest Preschool at Earth Native Wilderness School→
/Location: Bastrop, TX (25 minutes east of Austin)
137 Woodview Ln
Bastrop, TX 78602
Students served: Ages 3–5
Current enrollment: 20 students each day, with 3 instructors
Model/philosophy: Modeled after forest preschools in Europe and around the world, Wild Life Forest Preschool at Earth Native is play-based, child-led, and earth-conscious. Children learn as the mammals do, by following their satisfaction through play, by challenging their bodies, and by experiencing the patterns of their environment, both natural and social, in a forest they themselves care for. Children will build the foundations of writing, science, math, art, and physical development—even confidence and happiness—by exploring the forest with their friends. And of course, Wild Life Forest Preschool will make certain your child’s first adventures are considerate, careful, and safe.
Special features: Located on 80 beautiful acres of land, covered in native hardwood trees with abundant wildlife, incredible native plant diversity, and a spring-fed year-round creek. Small, intimate class size with a maximum of 20 students per day with 3 instructors. Curriculum is inspiration based and will include the establishment of deep connections to nature; animal tracks, bird language; empathy and understanding of local wildlife; plant identification, including edible, medicinal, and useful local plants; campfires; adventures; and fun!
Schedule: Hours are 9am–2pm. Program options include Monday/Wednesday program, Tuesday/Thursday program, and Friday program. Or enroll in more than one program to equal any number of days of the week you would like. School calendar runs September–May.
Tuition: Monthly payments of $175 (Friday program) or $345 (M/W or T/Th programs). Full tuition rates range from $1,480 to $.3,010.
Contact: Dave Scott | 512-299-8870 | info@earthnativeschool.com
WonderCrafters at Clearview Sudbury School→
/Location: East Central Austin
1507 Wilshire Blvd
Austin, TX 78722
Students served: Ages 3 & 4
Current enrollment: Launching Summer 2024
Model/philosophy: Reggio Emilia & Play-based Maker Space
Special features: WonderCrafters is a play-based, Reggio Emilia–inspired program with a makerspace vibe.
Schedule: Monday–Thursday 9am–3pm, with an extra hour before and after school available. Follows AISD calendar for days off. Summer months available as week-long, theme-based opportunities.
Tuition: The tuition is set at $12,000 per year (including summer months). There is a sibling discount of 25% for the second child and 50% for subsequent children. There is an option to apply for reduced tuition based on the family’s ability to pay.
Contact: Ali Ronder, Director | 512-777-0852| preschool@clearviewsudburyschool.org
WonderWell Preschool→
/Location: Southwest Austin
7717 Southwest Parkway, Building 2
Austin, Texas 78735
Students served: WonderWell passionately serves children ages 2 through 6 years in its Pre-Primary and Primary programs and its exclusive Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs. WonderWell additionally offers students three enrichment classes each week: Health and Fitness, Atelier, and Leadership Academy.
Current enrollment: WonderWell’s teacher-to-student ratios are 2:11 in Pre-Primary, 2:14 in Primary, 2:14 in Pre-Kindergarten, and 2:14 in Kindergarten.
Model/philosophy: WonderWell, a first-class preschool, embraces emergent curriculum and the Reggio Emilia philosophy of early childhood education. Its mission is to inspire each child’s innate curiosity and instill a deep love of learning. The school recruits, and, most notably, retains, the highest-quality educators who share its mission and vision. WonderWell is proud to provide its teachers with teacher education, high-quality professional development, and supplies.
Special features: WonderWell’s 16,000 square foot state-of-the-art building is the icing on the cake. The safety of the students is undoubtedly WonderWell’s top priority. WonderWell provides onsite security each day as an added layer of security and protection for students and staff. WonderWell also has multiple secure access points along with a courtyard playground that is shielded from the public eye. This beautiful playground is a space for limitless, authentic discovery and connection.
Schedule: 8 am–4 pm Monday–Friday; classes for the 2023–2024 school year begin Wednesday, August 16. The prospective student application for WonderWell’s 2024–2025 school year is now available and due on January 1, 2024. To submit your child's application for 2024–2025, click here.
Tuition: 2024–2025 tuition and fees are linked here.
Contact: Ashley Reinhardt, Founder and Director | ashley@wonderwell.com | 512-982-4310
