MONTESSORI

These schools follow the Montessori method approach to education, which is child-centered and typically includes a more hands-on curriculum.

1. Cedar Park Montessori Grades: prekindergarten-sixth Enrollment: unavailable Tuition: inquire for details Extracurricular activities: art, chess, dance, foreign languages, music, sports, science, technology 400 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park 512-259-8495 www.cedarparkmontessori.com

2. Guidepost Montessori at Brushy Creek Grades: prekindergarten-kindergarten Enrollment: around 150 Tuition: $940-$1,050 monthly Extracurricular activities: soccer shots, nili art 3017 Polar Lane, Cedar Park 512-259-3333 www.guidepostmontessori.com/brushy-creek

3. Guidepost Montessori at Cypress Creek Grades: toddler-kindergarten Enrollment: 60 Tuition: inquire for details Extracurricular activities: Mandarin Chinese, dance, sport ball (multisport drop-in group), gymnastics 2006 Sun Chase Blvd., Cedar Park 512-250-3000 www.guidepostmontessori.com/cypress-creek

4. Jordan International Montessori School Grades: kindergarten-sixth Enrollment: fewer than 20 Tuition: $1,150 monthly Extracurricular activities: art, soccer, gymnastics, piano and Chinese dance; school has a focus on children being bilingual in Mandarin Chinese and English 10713 N. RM 620, Ste. 601, Austin 512-770-6270 www.jordanmontessori.com

5. Sapientia Montessori Grades: prekindergarten-sixth Enrollment: unavailable Tuition: inquire for details Extracurricular activities: art, chess, dance, foreign languages, music, sports, science, technology 1220 Cottonwood Creek Trail, Cedar Park 512-260-2261 www.sapientiamontessori.com

RELIGIOUS-BASED

These schools are associated with a particular religion and may require families to also practice that religion. Catholic schools, for example, will typically include chapel services and prayer into the curriculum, which may follow different standards based on accreditation.

6. Hill Country Christian School Grades: prekindergarten-12th Enrollment: 570 Tuition: $2,375-$9,600 annually (pre-K), $11,400 (K-fifth grade), $12,125 (sixth-eighth grades), $13,500 (ninth-12th grades) annually Extracurricular activities: American Heritage Girls club, Destination Imagination, mission trip, drumline, Fellowship of Christian Athletes club, International Thespian Society, Latin club, math club, Music Conservatory club, honor societies, student council, chess club, choir, pep squad, safety patrol, sports, coding for kids, run club 12124 N. RR 620, Austin 512-331-7036 www.hillcountrychristianschool.org

7. Holy Family Catholic School Grades: prekindergarten-eighth (incoming 4-year-olds may apply) Enrollment: 581 Tuition: $6,650 - $7,850 annually Extracurricular activities: altar serving, art classes, ballet and jazz, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cantors for Liturgy, chess club, Children of Mary, choir, creative movement, one-act play, Private Schools Interscholastic Association, student council, robotics, extreme math, quiz bowl, flag football, tackle football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, tennis, track, golf, cross country 9400 Neenah Ave., Austin 512-246-4455 www.holyfamilycs.org

8. St. Dominic Savio Catholic School Grades: ninth-12th Enrollment: 403 Tuition: $12,100-$13,200 annually Extracurricular activities: Academic Competitive Team, creative writing club, math team, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, National Hispanic Institute, National History Club, Quiz Bowl, speech team, Tri-M Honor Society, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, C.R.E.W., Christian Outreach, F.A.C.T.S Club, Liturgical and Mass Ministers, Men After Christ, Timothy Team Peer Ministry, Women of God, art club, faith choir, jazz band, National Art Society, pep band, spring musical company, photography club, American Sign Language Club, Chinese Calligraphy Club, Chinese Club, Latin Club, Latin Honor Society, Spanish Club, Spanish Service Club, fan club, flight club, food club, garden club, Kan U Knot Club, ultimate frisbee club, Eagles for Life, entrepreneurship club, house council, psychology club, Savio Ambassadors, Savio Film Critics Club, service outreach club, student activities club, Young Leaders Club, computer science club, engineering club, Iron Eagle Robotics, Savio Filmworks Team 9300 Neenah Ave., Austin, TX 78717 512-388-8846 www.saviochs.org

9. Sterling Classical School Grades: prekindergarten-12th Enrollment: 300 Tuition: $2,500-$6,350 annually Extracurricular activities: band, theater, golf, basketball, volleyball, National Honor Society, tennis, track, soccer, art, Private Schools Interscholastic Association 12800 Angel Side Drive, Leander 512-259-2722 www.sterlingclassicalschool.com

10. Summit Christian Academy Grades: prekindergarten-12th (includes incoming 3-year-olds) Enrollment: 260 Tuition: $3,500-11,600 annually Extracurricular activities: football, volleyball, basketball, golf, cheerleading, theater, art, baseball, tennis, choir and band 2121 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park 512-250-1369 www.summiteagles.org

TRADITIONAL

These tuition-based schools may focus on more rigorous college-preparatory coursework and higher academic standards.

11. Abacus School of Austin Grades: infant-kindergarten Enrollment: 250 Tuition: $1,060 monthly Extracurricular activities: soccer, dance, gymnastics, Spanish, martial arts, chess, piano and private music classes for other instruments 1720 S. Bagdad Road, Leander 512-806-7788 14115 Avery Ranch Blvd., Austin 512-381-2200 www.abacusschoolofaustin.com

12. Challenger School Avery Ranch Grades: prekindergarten-seventh (prekindergarten includes ages 3-4; eighth grade will be added for 2019-20 academic year) Enrollment: 155 (elementary only) Tuition: inquire for details Extracurricular activities: enrichment classes that vary each semester 15101 Avery Ranch Blvd., Austin 512-341-8000 www.challengerschool.com

13. The Goddard School of Cedar Park Grades: prekindergarten-first Enrollment: 220 Tuition: inquire for details Extracurricular activities: yoga, Spanish, American Sign Language, music, gym, robotics, soccer, dance, chess, art 1905 El Salido Parkway, Cedar Park 512-258-5292 www.goddardschool.com

14. The Goddard School of Leander Grades: infant-kindergarten Enrollment: 161 Tuition: inquire for details Extracurricular activities: yoga, Spanish, American Sign Language, music, coding & robotics, art history 1730 Union St., Leander 512-528-1918 www.goddardschool.com

15. Harbor Leadership Academy Grades: fifth-12th this year; varies Enrollment: 40 on campus; around 20 off campus Tuition: $6,500-$12,500 annually Extracurricular activities: Spanish Intro, I and II, career shadowing and internships, tutoring for on and off campus students, music, art, welding, soccer, physical education, photography, coding, business, life skills, occupational therapy, career preparatory training, transitional programs with the Texas Workforce Commission, Austin Community College Dual Enrollment, technology courses, and programs for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, phonics/dyslexia, integrated listening, brain movements daily, exceptional learners and homeschoolers 17317 RM 1431, Leander 512-219-5673 https://harboracademy.org

16. The Ivy International School Grades: 18 months-kindergarten Enrollment: 110 Tuition: $465-$1,125 monthly Extracurricular activities: Mandarin, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), visual arts, music and movement 9511 N. RR 620, Austin 512-501-0620 www.ivyinternationalschool.com

17. The Joule School Grades: early-entrance kindergarten-10th Enrollment: 40 Tuition: $11,000-$14,500 annually Extracurricular activities: foreign languages, piano, dance, gardening, filmmaking, programming 3402 Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park* 818-925-6853 www.jouleschool.com *The Joule School will be relocating at the end of the school year

18. Primrose School of Crystal Falls Grades: prekindergarten-kindergarten Enrollment: 215 Tuition: inquire for details Extracurricular activities: dance, soccer, gymnastics 1781 Osage Drive, Leander 512-259-6900 www.primroseschools.com

WALDORF

Known for integrating the arts into the curriculum, these schools also have a more hands-on approach to education that includes music, dance, theater and writing.

19. Good Earth Farm School Grades: 8 months-kindergarten Enrollment: unavailable Tuition: $335-$1,050 monthly Extracurricular activities: Crafting, gardening, cooking, sewing 10820 E. Crystal Falls Parkway, Leander 512-259-3922 www.goodearthfarmschool.com

CHARTER

Charter schools are different than both public and private schools. In Texas, charter schools are public schools open to any student, and these schools may not charge tuition, according to the Texas Education Agency. These schools do receive state funds based on their average daily attendance of students, and they may also accept donations from private or public sources, according to the TEA. Charter schools also administer the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, test.

20. Cedar Park Charter Academy Grades: prekindergarten-12th (includes incoming 4-year-olds) Enrollment: 200 Extracurricular activities: SPCA volunteering opportunities, trips to community parks, Spring Festival, Fall Festival, cross country, basketball, Getting Along Together program 201 Buttercup Creek Blvd., Cedar Park 512-331-2980 http://cedarpark.prioritycharterschools.org

21. Founders Classical Academy Grades: kindergarten-12th Enrollment: 696 Extracurricular activities: Chess club, journalism, Latin club, French club, National Honor Society, knitting club, flag football, cross country, track and field, soccer, volleyball, basketball, theater, orchestra, studio art 1205-1303 Leander Drive, Leander 512-259-0103 https://founders-leander.responsiveed.com

22. Harmony Science Academy Cedar Park Grades: prekindergarten-fifth Enrollment: 435 Extracurricular activities: Code Academy, yearbook, Math Pentathlon, robotics, student council, volleyball, UIL academic clubs 12200 Anderson Mill Road, Austin 512-494-5151 www.harmonytx.org

23. Harmony School of Endeavor - Austin Grades: prekindergarten-12th Enrollment: 540 Extracurricular activities: gardening, mural, coding, college readiness leadership program, Team America Rocketry Challenge Club, Science Olympiad, robotics, astronomy, National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society, soccer, basketball, ultimate frisbee, creative writing 13415 N. RM 620, Austin 512-284-9880 www.harmonytx.org