Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Private High Schools in Austin
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Private High Schools in Austin
Direct Answer
The Best Overall private high school in the Austin area is St. Stephen's Episcopal School, a coeducational day and boarding school whose small classes, deep arts and STEM programming, and strong college matriculation place it at the top of the metro's independent schools.
The Best Value pick is St. Michael's Catholic Academy, a college-preparatory school that delivers strong AP outcomes and Catholic formation at tuition well below the elite independents. This list is built for families and students weighing where to enroll across the Austin metro, with a focus on academics, college outcomes, and fit.
Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from school profiles, U.S. News, Niche, and accreditation sources.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each school against the priorities families tell admissions offices they actually care about, drawing on published figures from U.S. News, Niche, Private School Review, and individual school profiles. The weighting:
- Academic performance (test scores, AP/IB): 25%
- College and post-grad outcomes: 20%
- Value and cost: 15%
- Teachers and resources: 15%
- Environment and safety: 15%
- Extracurriculars and fit: 10%
A school that posts elite scores but offers thin programs, or wins on reputation but graduates few into selective colleges, drops fast. The winners balance all six.
1. St. Stephen's Episcopal School 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Private (Episcopal), day and boarding | Tuition: roughly $35,000 day / $70,000+ boarding | Best for: Families seeking a rigorous, well-rounded independent school
Set on a wooded campus in west Austin, St. Stephen's Episcopal School enrolls roughly 700 students in grades 6 to 12 and is one of the few schools in Texas to combine day and boarding programs. It offers a deep slate of AP courses, a strong fine and performing arts program, and an average class size near 14.
College matriculation skews toward selective universities including UT Austin, Rice, and national liberal arts colleges and Ivies. Its student-teacher ratio near 8:1 supports seminar-style classes and individual mentorship.
Pros:
- Day and boarding options, rare for the metro
- Deep AP catalog and standout arts programming
- Small classes with a student-teacher ratio near 8:1
- Strong selective-college matriculation
Cons:
- Among the highest tuition in the metro
- Boarding life is not the right fit for every family
Verdict: St. Stephen's wins on balance, the deepest independent programming in Austin with outcomes to match.
2. St. Michael's Catholic Academy 💎 BEST VALUE
Type: Private (Catholic) | Tuition: roughly $20,000 | Best for: Families wanting strong college prep and Catholic formation at a reasonable price
In southwest Austin, St. Michael's Catholic Academy enrolls about 500 students in grades 9 to 12 and pairs a college-preparatory curriculum with Catholic formation. It offers a broad AP catalog, competitive athletics, and average class sizes near 16.
Nearly all graduates enroll in four-year colleges, and the school's tuition sits well below the elite independents, making it the metro's standout value.
Pros:
- College-prep curriculum with a broad AP catalog
- Tuition well below the elite independents
- Near-universal four-year college enrollment
Cons:
- Smaller campus footprint than the largest privates
- Catholic formation requirement is not for every family
Verdict: St. Michael's is our best value, strong AP outcomes and formation at a fraction of elite-independent tuition.
3. Regents School of Austin
Type: Private (Classical Christian) | Tuition: roughly $20,000 | Best for: Families seeking a classical, faith-based education
In northwest Austin, Regents School of Austin enrolls roughly 1,000 students across all grades and follows a classical Christian model emphasizing the trivium, Latin, and the great books. The upper school offers AP courses and strong fine arts, with near-universal four-year college enrollment. Average class sizes sit near 16.
Pros:
- Distinctive classical Christian curriculum
- Strong humanities and Latin programming
- Near-universal four-year college enrollment
Cons:
- Classical model is a specific fit
- Fewer elective STEM tracks than the largest privates
Verdict: The metro's leading classical Christian school for families who want that model.
4. Hyde Park Schools (Hyde Park Baptist)
Type: Private (Christian) | Tuition: roughly $14,000 | Best for: Families wanting affordable Christian college prep
Hyde Park Schools in central Austin enrolls about 1,100 students across grades and offers a college-preparatory curriculum with AP courses, competitive athletics, and fine arts. Tuition is among the most affordable of the established privates, and four-year college enrollment is strong.
Pros:
- Affordable tuition for an established private
- Broad AP catalog and athletics
- Strong four-year college enrollment
Cons:
- Test scores trail the elite independents
- Faith-based requirements are not for every family
Verdict: An affordable, well-rounded Christian college-prep option in central Austin.
5. Austin Waldorf School
Type: Private (Waldorf) | Tuition: roughly $20,000 | Best for: Families seeking an arts-integrated, developmental curriculum
In southwest Austin, Austin Waldorf School enrolls roughly 350 students and follows the Waldorf model emphasizing arts integration, hands-on learning, and a developmentally paced curriculum. The high school offers a project-based program with strong outcomes for arts- and humanities-oriented students.
Pros:
- Distinctive arts-integrated Waldorf model
- Small, close-knit community
- Strong fit for creative and humanities-oriented students
Cons:
- Limited AP and standardized-test emphasis
- Waldorf approach is a specific fit
Verdict: The metro's leading Waldorf school for arts-integrated, developmental learning.
6. Brentwood Christian School
Type: Private (Christian) | Tuition: roughly $13,000 | Best for: Families wanting affordable, well-rounded Christian education
In north Austin, Brentwood Christian School enrolls about 900 students across grades and offers a college-preparatory curriculum with AP courses, competitive athletics, and fine arts. Affordable tuition and strong community culture make it a popular choice, with strong four-year college enrollment.
Pros:
- Affordable tuition
- Well-rounded academics and athletics
- Strong community culture
Cons:
- Smaller AP catalog than the elite independents
- Faith-based requirements are not for every family
Verdict: An affordable, community-focused Christian school with solid college prep.
7. Griffin School
Type: Private (independent) | Tuition: roughly $20,000 | Best for: Creative students seeking a small, arts-forward high school
In central Austin, the Griffin School is a small independent high school enrolling roughly 150 students with a focus on the arts, creative writing, and individualized academics. Small classes and a tight-knit culture suit students who thrive outside a large, traditional campus.
Pros:
- Very small, individualized classes
- Strong arts and creative-writing focus
- Supportive, nontraditional culture
Cons:
- Limited athletics and large-school amenities
- Small AP catalog
Verdict: A distinctive small independent school for creative, self-directed students.
8. Headwaters School
Type: Private (Montessori / IB) | Tuition: roughly $22,000 | Best for: Families wanting Montessori-rooted, internationally minded education
Headwaters School in central Austin enrolls roughly 600 students across campuses and offers a Montessori-rooted lower school feeding an International Baccalaureate-influenced upper school. The high school emphasizes inquiry-based learning, global perspectives, and small classes.
Pros:
- Montessori-rooted, inquiry-based model
- Internationally minded curriculum
- Small classes
Cons:
- Nontraditional model is a specific fit
- Smaller athletics program
Verdict: A strong choice for families wanting Montessori-rooted, globally minded learning.
9. Cathedral School / St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Type: Private (Episcopal) | Tuition: roughly $30,000 | Best for: Families seeking an established Episcopal college-prep school
St. Andrew's Episcopal School in central Austin enrolls roughly 900 students across two campuses and offers a college-preparatory curriculum with AP courses, strong arts, and competitive athletics. Average class sizes are small, and four-year college matriculation is strong toward selective universities.
Pros:
- Established Episcopal college-prep program
- Strong arts and athletics
- Small classes and strong college matriculation
Cons:
- High tuition
- Competitive admission
Verdict: A well-established Episcopal school with strong, well-rounded college prep.
10. The Khabele / Magellan International School (upper grades)
Type: Private (IB, language immersion) | Tuition: roughly $24,000 | Best for: Families wanting language immersion and an IB pathway
Magellan International School in central Austin offers Spanish and Mandarin language immersion rooted in an International Baccalaureate framework, with programming extending into the upper grades. Small classes and a globally minded curriculum suit families prioritizing bilingual, internationally recognized education.
Pros:
- Spanish and Mandarin immersion
- IB framework
- Globally minded, small-class environment
Cons:
- Upper-grade programming is smaller than the established high schools
- Immersion model is a specific fit
Verdict: The metro's leading immersion-plus-IB option for bilingual, globally minded families.
What to Look For
When choosing an Austin-area private high school, weigh these factors:
- Mission and faith: Options range from secular independents (St. Stephen's, Griffin) to Catholic (St. Michael's), classical Christian (Regents), and Episcopal (St. Andrew's). Match the mission to your family.
- AP versus IB versus classical: Curricula vary widely. Decide whether your student prefers AP rigor, an IB diploma, or a classical or Montessori model.
- Cost and aid: Tuition ranges from roughly $13,000 to over $70,000 for boarding. Ask every school about need-based aid and merit scholarships.
- Outcomes over reputation: Look at AP/IB pass rates, college matriculation, and class size, not just the name.
- Fit and culture: Visit campuses, meet teachers, and weigh community, extracurriculars, and support services.
FAQ
What is the best private high school in Austin? St. Stephen's Episcopal School is our Best Overall, a rigorous day and boarding school with a deep AP catalog, standout arts, small classes near a 8:1 ratio, and strong selective-college matriculation.
What is the best value private high school in Austin? St. Michael's Catholic Academy is our best value, it delivers strong AP outcomes and Catholic formation at tuition well below the elite independents.
Which Austin private high school is best for the arts? The Griffin School and Austin Waldorf School are the most arts-forward, while St. Stephen's offers the deepest arts within a comprehensive program.
Do Austin private high schools offer financial aid? Most established privates, including St. Stephen's, St. Michael's, and St. Andrew's, offer need-based aid and some merit scholarships. Contact each admissions office for specifics.
Which Austin private high schools offer boarding? St. Stephen's Episcopal School is the metro's leading day-and-boarding option; most other Austin privates are day schools only.
Is a Catholic, classical, or secular private better in Austin? It depends on your family. St. Michael's offers Catholic formation, Regents offers a classical Christian model, and St. Stephen's and Griffin are secular independents. The right choice depends on mission fit and your student's learning style.
Bottom Line
For Austin families, St. Stephen's Episcopal School is our Best Overall private high school, its day and boarding options, deep AP catalog, small classes, and strong arts set the standard. **St.
Michael's Catholic Academy is our Best Value**, delivering strong AP outcomes and Catholic formation at a fraction of elite-independent tuition. If your priority is a classical curriculum, language immersion, or an arts-forward environment, use the picks above to route yourself to Regents, Magellan, or the Griffin School instead.
Choose on mission fit, outcomes, and access, not a single ranking number, and your student will be set up to succeed.
Sources
- U.S. News, Best Texas High Schools rankings
- Niche, Best Private High Schools in the Austin Area
- Private School Review, Austin private high schools
- GreatSchools, Texas school ratings
- College Board, AP program data
- St. Stephen's Episcopal School
- St. Michael's Catholic Academy
- Regents School of Austin
- St. Andrew's Episcopal School
- Austin American-Statesman, Central Texas education coverage
*Private high schools in Austin review, best private high schools Austin, rankings, ratings, review 2027, and a review of the top picks for families.*