Location: Central Austin (location TBD)
Students served: Launching grades K–2 and adding a grade each year until it is a PK–8 school
Current enrollment: Open enrollment with maximum class size of 16, 1:8 teacher-to-student ratio
Model/philosophy: The Compass School (TCS) is an independent school for students in PreK through 8th grade. Compass School students embark on a journey of curiosity, discovery, and learning rooted in research and Progressive Education principles so that they are ready to create bright futures as their truest, most courageous selves. In a nurturing environment, students will thrive and develop their full potential to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens.
Special features: TCS fosters a learner-centered environment, prioritizing growth mindsets through inquiry-based Deep Dive and Cultural Investigation phases. Dual-grade classrooms offer a dynamic learning experience while maintaining an 8:1 student-to-educator ratio. Project-based learning, hands-on exploration, and resources like the Innovation Lab engage students in curiosity-driven learning. TCS students benefit from weekly mentorship and goal setting. A scaled tuition model ensures accessibility, and families actively participate through collaborative roundtables, learning workshops, and more. The Compass School exists to help children grow into courageously compassionate young adults.
Schedule: 8:45am–3:30pm Monday–Friday; August 14, 2025–June 5, 2026; after-school program until 5pm
Tuition: Tuition model allows you to pay proportionally to your adjusted gross income; maximum $34,500 annually (no miscellaneous fees), lunch not included
Contact: Geoff Harrison, Founder | gharrison@thecompassschoolatx.org
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 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.
