Relocating to Austin with school-age children? You’re in for a treat. The Austin area offers an impressive selection of private schools that cater to diverse educational philosophies and family priorities. Whether you’re seeking a college preparatory education, a faith-based foundation, a Montessori approach, or an alternative learning model, Austin has options that consistently rank among the finest in Texas.
This comprehensive guide walks you through the best private schools in Austin, helping you understand tuition costs, grade levels, enrollment sizes, specialized programs, and neighborhood locations to find the perfect fit for your family.
Overview of Private Education in Austin
Austin’s private school landscape is thriving. For the 2025-2026 school year, approximately 138 private schools serve over 21,500 students across the region. About 12% of Austin’s K-12 students attend private schools—significantly higher than the Texas average of 6%. This robust private education sector reflects the area’s strong commitment to diverse educational approaches and family choice.
Private school tuition in Austin averages around $17,613 annually, though costs vary significantly by school type and grade level. From affordable Christian schools to elite boarding options, there’s a wide range of price points to fit different budgets.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal School: Premier College Prep with Boarding
Location: Austin (Multiple campuses)
Grades: 6-12
Enrollment: 489 students (179 boarding, 310 day students)
Tuition: Day students $32,290-$39,700; Boarding $74,400
St. Stephen’s Episcopal School stands as one of Austin’s most prestigious college preparatory institutions. Founded on a strong Episcopal tradition, the school serves students from 23 Texas cities, 7 states, and 19 countries, creating a genuinely diverse and globally-minded community.
The school excels in academic rigor with a focus on preparing students for top universities. Middle School Day tuition is $37,800 annually, while Upper School Day students pay $39,700. Full boarding is available at $74,400 yearly. The school demonstrates commitment to financial accessibility, with 22% of students receiving financial aid totaling over $5.8 million in the 2024-25 school year.
St. Stephen’s offers robust boarding and day programs with strong athletics, fine arts, and academic resources. The school’s Episcopal foundation emphasizes character development alongside academics, making it an excellent choice for families seeking a values-based college prep environment.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School: K-12 Excellence Across Three Divisions
Location: Central and Southwest Austin
Grades: K-12
Tuition: $39,520 (Upper School)
St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (SAS) has been a cornerstone of Austin education since 1952, now educating over 1,000 students across three campuses. The school maintains three distinct divisions: Lower School (K-5) and Middle School (6-8) share a central Austin campus, while the Upper School (9-12) occupies a separate southwest Austin location.
The school’s comprehensive approach includes a rigorous academic program with AP courses, 28 varsity sports, and extensive fine and performing arts programs. Students benefit from experienced faculty and a strong sense of community that spans seven decades of tradition. SAS is known for fostering an engaged, joyful educational experience while maintaining academic excellence. The school’s upper school tuition of $39,520 reflects the premium offering of a well-established, full-service independent school.
Austin Waldorf School: Holistic K-12 Education on 19 Acres
Location: West Oak Hill/Clarksville, 8700 South View Rd
Grades: PreK-12
Enrollment: 415 students
Tuition: $22,000-$27,300
Austin Waldorf School offers a distinctive alternative to traditional college prep models. Situated on a beautiful 19-acre campus in the West Oak Hill neighborhood, the school serves 415 students in a fully accredited PreK-12 Waldorf program emphasizing holistic child development, creativity, and environmental stewardship.
The Waldorf approach integrates arts throughout the curriculum, develops critical thinking and imagination, and respects developmental stages of childhood. Tuition is considerably more accessible than many peer institutions, ranging from $22,000 to $27,300 annually. The school offers flexible payment plans and financial aid to support family accessibility. For families drawn to experiential, project-based learning that balances academic rigor with artistic and practical skills, Austin Waldorf is a compelling option.
Regents School of Austin: Large Christian K-12 Campus in Southwest Austin
Location: Southwest Austin, 3230 Travis Country Circle
Grades: K-12
Enrollment: 1,079 students
Tuition: $21,067-$22,731
Founded: Christian education with modern facilities
Regents School of Austin is the largest private school in this guide, serving over 1,000 students on an expansive 82-acre campus in southwest Austin. The school maintains all K-12 grades on one contiguous campus, eliminating transitions between buildings as students progress through their education.
The school emphasizes Christian values, academic excellence, and character development. Regents boasts impressive academic metrics including a 3.69 average GPA, 100% graduation rate, and average SAT scores of 1340. The school offers 28 sports across multiple levels, robust fine arts programs, and a variety of clubs and activities. Tuition of $21,067-$22,731 is competitive for a large, well-resourced K-12 institution. The school actively encourages families concerned about affordability to apply for financial assistance, demonstrating commitment to economic diversity.
St. Michael’s Catholic Academy: Faith-Based PreK-12 College Prep
Location: Austin
Grades: PreK-12
Type: Catholic preparatory school
St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School serves students from PreK through 12th grade with a strong Catholic identity and college preparatory focus. The school combines rigorous academics with a faith-based foundation, offering athletics, theater, and diverse enrichment programs. Catholic education provides a structured moral and spiritual framework alongside excellent academics, appealing to families seeking religiously-grounded education.
Austin Montessori School: Montessori Method Through 9th Grade
Location: Three campuses, Central Austin
Grades: Preschool-9
Enrollment: 350 students
Tuition: $16,280-$21,340
Austin Montessori School operates three campuses, all within 10 miles of downtown Austin, serving 350 students through 9th grade. The school’s Montessori approach emphasizes self-directed learning, hands-on exploration, and individualized pacing. Students develop independence, problem-solving skills, and intrinsic motivation in a supportive, mixed-age classroom environment.
Tuition ranges from $16,280 to $21,340 annually depending on age level, making Montessori education more accessible than many alternatives. The school’s central location provides convenient enrollment for families throughout Austin. For parents seeking the Montessori philosophy without the cost premium of some competitors, Austin Montessori offers solid value.
Headwaters School: Montessori + International Baccalaureate
Location: Austin
Grades: Early Childhood-12
Tuition: $16,900-$24,600
Headwaters School combines two powerful educational approaches: Montessori method in lower grades and International Baccalaureate diploma program in upper school. This hybrid model allows students to benefit from Montessori’s hands-on, developmental approach during formative years, then transition to the rigorous, globally-recognized IB program.
The school enrolls students from 3 months through 12th grade, providing a continuous educational journey. Tuition of $16,900-$24,600 reflects the comprehensive nature of the program. Headwaters appeals to internationally-minded families and parents seeking the college rigor of IB alongside early childhood Montessori benefits. The school’s emphasis on critical thinking, research skills, and global citizenship aligns with modern college expectations.
Griffin School: Specialized Learning Support
Austin’s private school community also includes specialized institutions like Griffin School, which serves students with learning differences. These schools provide smaller class sizes, individualized attention, and teaching methods specifically designed for students who learn differently—whether dyslexic, ADHD, or with other learning profiles. Griffin School represents the diversity of Austin’s private education options beyond traditional college prep models.
Choosing the Right Austin Private School: Key Considerations
When evaluating Austin private schools, families should consider:
Educational Philosophy: Do you prefer traditional college prep, Montessori, Waldorf, religious education, or specialized learning approaches? Each method has distinct strengths and best serves particular learning styles.
Tuition & Financial Aid: Austin private school tuition ranges from approximately $13,000 to $60,000+ annually. Many schools offer financial assistance. Request detailed tuition breakdowns and inquire about available grants and scholarships.
Enrollment & Class Size: Larger schools (1,000+ students like Regents) offer extensive resources and activities. Mid-size schools (300-700 students like St. Stephen’s) balance community with opportunity. Smaller schools provide individualized attention.
Grade Span: Some schools serve only upper grades (St. Stephen’s starts at 6th), while others offer PreK-12. Continuity through a single school has advantages, while grade-specific schools offer focused programming.
Location & Neighborhood: Schools cluster in central Austin, southwest Austin near Travis Country, and west Austin areas. Location affects commute time and neighborhood proximity. Research campus neighborhoods and traffic patterns before deciding.
Programs & Extracurriculars: Examine athletic offerings, arts programs, advanced academics, clubs, and special initiatives. College-focused families value AP courses and strong college counseling.
Values & Mission: Some families prioritize faith-based education (Catholic, Christian, Episcopal), while others prefer secular approaches. Review school mission statements and values carefully.
Finding Your Family’s Fit
Austin’s best private schools share common strengths: dedicated faculty, strong academics, enriching programs, and intentional community. They differ in philosophy, size, location, and cost. The “best” school is ultimately the one matching your family’s values, learning style, budget, and location preferences.
Successful relocating families typically:
1. Visit multiple campuses and attend open houses
2. Meet current parents and students
3. Request trial days or shadow visits when possible
4. Compare tuition structures and financial aid packages
5. Align school mission with family values
Austin’s thriving private school sector gives families meaningful choice. Whether seeking rigorous college prep, alternative pedagogies, faith-based education, or specialized support, Austin delivers excellent options for every family’s needs.
Additional Notable Austin Private Schools
Beyond the primary schools listed above, Austin’s private school landscape includes other institutions worth considering. These schools often specialize in particular niches or educational approaches that complement the larger, more established institutions.
Austin Peace Academy has gained recognition for its inclusive Islamic studies curriculum combined with Arabic language instruction, attracting families seeking cultural and religious diversity. The school maintains small class sizes and emphasizes a rigorous academic focus, making it appealing to families who value personalized attention alongside international curriculum elements.
Alpha School has emerged as Austin’s leading secular K-8 choice, known for its distinctive “2-Hour Learning” model that emphasizes mastery-based progression and individualized pacing. With its focus on low student-to-teacher ratios and commitment to building a diverse, inclusive community, Alpha School appeals to families seeking a progressive, non-traditional approach to elementary and middle school education.
Fusion Academy serves grades 6-12 with a customized, one-to-one learning model that provides individual tutoring combined with group classes and seminars. This approach particularly benefits students who struggle with traditional classroom environments, including those with learning differences, anxiety, or other challenges that might be addressed through a more personalized educational experience.
Austin’s School Neighborhood Clusters
Austin’s private schools concentrate in several distinct geographic areas, each with unique characteristics and community profiles.
Central Austin Campus: The heart of Austin’s educational ecosystem, this area encompasses St. Andrew’s Episcopal Lower and Middle School, plus Austin Montessori’s central campuses. This region combines established neighborhoods with easy downtown access, appealing to families who prioritize walkability and urban convenience.
West Austin and Clarksville: Home to Austin Waldorf School’s expansive 19-acre campus, this neighborhood offers a more suburban, nature-focused environment while remaining close to central Austin. The area is known for its artistic community and environmental consciousness, aligning with Waldorf’s philosophy.
Southwest Austin and Travis Country: This region has become Austin’s premier private school hub in recent years. Regents School’s massive 82-acre campus, St. Andrew’s Upper School, and numerous other institutions cluster here. The area features new development, family-oriented communities, and excellent road access, making it increasingly popular with relocating families.
North Austin: Though less densely populated with private schools, north Austin contains several quality institutions serving families who prefer neighborhoods outside the central and southwest zones.
Understanding these geographic clusters helps families narrow choices based on location preferences and commute requirements.
Financial Aid and Accessibility
One crucial aspect families often overlook is financial aid availability. Austin’s private schools recognize that tuition costs can be prohibitive and have developed substantial aid programs.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal, despite its premium tuition, provides over $5.8 million in financial aid annually. Regents School actively encourages families concerned about affordability to apply for assistance. Many schools offer payment plans, multi-child discounts, and need-based grants.
When evaluating schools, families should request complete financial aid information, including what percentage of students receive aid, average aid amounts, and the types of assistance available (grants vs. loans). Some schools offer need-blind admissions, meaning acceptance decisions don’t consider family finances. Others practice need-aware admissions but still commit to meeting demonstrated need.
Don’t assume you can’t afford a particular school without investigating aid options. Many families find that, after financial aid, their actual out-of-pocket cost is significantly lower than the published tuition figure.
Transition Planning for Relocating Families
Relocating to Austin presents unique timing considerations for private school enrollment. Most schools follow traditional academic calendars with applications due in fall for the following academic year. However, some schools accept students mid-year if space permits.
Families should plan ahead by:
– Contacting schools 6-12 months before desired enrollment
– Requesting current prospectuses and financial aid information
– Scheduling campus tours and student interviews
– Gathering recommendation letters from current schools
– Allowing time for the application review process
Some schools offer “shadow days” where prospective students spend a day on campus attending classes with current students. These experiences provide invaluable insight into school culture and educational approach beyond what published materials convey.
Austin’s Education Advantage
Austin consistently ranks among America’s top education markets, attracting families seeking both public and private school excellence. The city’s strong commitment to educational diversity—reflected in 138 private schools serving over 21,500 students—demonstrates a genuine cultural emphasis on learning and child development.
The concentration of quality private schools in Austin provides families unprecedented choice. Whether relocating from another state or seeking alternatives within Austin’s public school system, families benefit from options spanning every educational philosophy and price point.
For families prioritizing education in their relocation decision, Austin represents an exceptional choice. The city combines academic rigor with educational diversity, established institutions with innovative newcomers, and value-oriented schools with premium options.
Making Your Decision
Choosing a private school requires balancing multiple factors without a single “right” answer. Start by clarifying your family’s priorities: academic focus, religious foundation, learning approach, location, extracurricular opportunities, or socioeconomic diversity. Then research schools aligned with those priorities.
Visit campuses in person. Read reviews and ratings. Connect with current families. Request trial days or observations. Trust your instincts about cultural fit alongside academic metrics.
Remember that Austin’s dynamic private school market continues evolving. New schools launch, existing institutions innovate, and family circumstances change. Your choice doesn’t need to be permanent—many families move between schools as their needs shift.
Austin’s education landscape gives you remarkable flexibility and opportunity. Take time to find the school that truly fits your family’s values, needs, and aspirations.
For more information on Austin education and relocation, explore our comprehensive Austin best neighborhoods and resources on Austin home prices by neighborhood to help guide your move. You might also find our guide to Austin housing market update helpful for comparing public and private options.