When Bryan Gordon began imagining the kind of school he’d want his young daughter to attend, he pictured somewhere she could learn while also exploring the outdoors. His vision sparked the creation of Waypoint Academy.

The new private school coming to Dripping Springs will blend academic excellence with hands-on learning, life skills and a deep connection to nature.

“What I’m trying to build with Waypoint Academy is like summer camp all year-round,” Gordon said.

Waypoint Academy, like its sister facility Alpha School, will operate as a full-time private school and feature a highly focused, two-hour academic block each morning. Students will still gain all the skills taught in a traditional classroom, such as literacy, math and science, while also spending the afternoons in nature and learning hands-on skills that promote leadership, teamwork and resilience.

“I took middle schoolers on a trip to Durango last year for one of our Alpha workshops and the grit, the leadership, the teamwork, what some would consider ‘soft skills’ came out naturally through the experience of being outdoors,” Gordon said. “We’re not just learning about nature, but using nature as a tool to learn life skills like public speaking and financial literacy.”

Gordon said the academy will be affordable compared to other area private schools, which will make it more accessible to a wider range of families. The school will also place a strong emphasis on social growth.

Unlike homeschooling or part-time outdoor programs, Waypoint’s full-day structure offers students consistent interaction with peers, helping them form lasting friendships within tight-knit learning cohorts.

While location details are still being finalized, Gordon said the school will open in central Dripping Springs.

For families interested in what Waypoint Academy has to offer, there is no need to wait; programming is being held at partner locations until the physical location is completed. Sporting club Hog Heaven will host the upcoming “Warrior Week” summer camp, which will provide a great opportunity to get the Waypoint Academy experience.

From June 7-11 and 23-27, children ages 5-13 can join the Waypoint Academy team at Hog Heaven in Dripping Springs to learn:

• Survival skills
• Navigation techniques
• Archery
• Resilience and teamwork

“I want kids to see what their school days could look like every single day,” Gordon said. “I want the campers to have fun and take away new life skills. I want to give them a space to explore the outdoors.”

For families interested in getting a preview of the Waypoint Academy experience, spots are still available for Warrior Week. Registration is open on the Hog Heaven website.

The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Mary Katherine Shapiro with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.