The Best Private Schools in Bastrop, Texas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Bastrop. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
Bastrop Christian Academy
Bastrop Christian Academy
Bastrop Christian Academy is a highly-regarded private Christian school offering comprehensive education from Pre-K through 12th grade. The school emphasizes college preparatory academics with small class sizes and individualized attention. Their STEM program is particularly strong, featuring advanced science and mathematics courses. The campus includes modern facilities with technology-integrated classrooms, science labs, and athletic facilities. Parents consistently praise the school's nurturing environment, academic rigor, and strong community values. The school maintains accreditation and has a track record of graduates attending competitive colleges and universities.
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St. Andrew's Episcopal School
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
St. Andrew's Episcopal School is a premier independent school serving the greater Austin area, including Bastrop families. The school offers a comprehensive International Baccalaureate program from elementary through high school, providing one of the most rigorous academic curricula in Central Texas. The 126-acre campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science centers, performing arts spaces, and extensive athletic complexes. With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, the school provides exceptional individualized attention. St. Andrew's is known for its diverse community, exceptional college placement record, and balanced approach to academics, arts, and athletics. Many Bastrop families commute for this top-tier educational experience.
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Regents School of Austin
Regents School of Austin
Regents School of Austin is a highly respected classical Christian school that serves families throughout Central Texas, including Bastrop. The school implements the classical trivium model (grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages) combined with rigorous college preparatory academics. Their 75-acre campus features modern academic buildings, fine arts centers, and comprehensive athletic facilities. The school is particularly noted for its strong humanities program, competitive athletics, and extensive fine arts offerings. Parent reviews consistently highlight the school's academic excellence, strong community values, and exceptional teacher quality. Regents maintains small class sizes and has an outstanding record of college acceptances to top universities nationwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Bastrop, Texas
What are the primary private school options available within Bastrop, Texas, and what are their core educational philosophies?
Within Bastrop city limits, Bastrop Christian Academy offers a non-denominational Christian education with a traditional academic focus. St. Andrew's Episcopal School provides an independent, college-preparatory education grounded in Episcopal values of inclusivity and service. While Regents School of Austin is located just outside Bastrop in nearby Austin, it is a significant option for many Bastrop families, offering a classical, Christian liberal arts education. The philosophies range from faith-integrated to classical, giving parents distinct choices. It's also worth noting that Bastrop's proximity to Austin expands options, but commuting is a key consideration.
How does tuition for private schools in the Bastrop, TX, area compare to state averages, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition in the Bastrop area varies. Bastrop Christian Academy's tuition is generally lower, often ranging in the $6,000-$9,000 per year range for elementary grades. St. Andrew's Episcopal School and Regents School of Austin, as college-preparatory institutions, have higher tuitions, often between $15,000 and $25,000 annually. These figures are somewhat competitive with Texas private school averages, but the higher-end schools align with Austin-area pricing. Financial aid is commonly offered through need-based scholarships, and Texas has the "School Choice" program, which includes tax-advantaged 529 savings plans (the Texas Tuition Promise Fund) that can be used for K-12 private tuition. Sibling discounts are also a common feature at these schools.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Bastrop-area private schools offer that leverage the local Central Texas environment?
Schools in the Bastrop area often integrate the local ecology and history into their curricula. For instance, programs may include environmental science projects focused on the Lost Pines ecosystem or Bastrop State Park, which is unique to the region. Agricultural science and FFA programs are strong in some settings, connecting to the area's rural heritage. Furthermore, proximity to Austin allows schools like Regents and St. Andrew's to facilitate partnerships with state government, universities, and tech companies for internships and enrichment, an advantage not always available in more isolated communities.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Bastrop, Texas, and how competitive is admission?
The enrollment process for Bastrop-area private schools usually begins in the fall (October-January) for the following academic year, with application deadlines often in January or February. Admission competitiveness varies: Bastrop Christian Academy may have a more rolling admissions policy based on space, while St. Andrew's Episcopal School and Regents School of Austin have more structured processes involving entrance assessments, student interviews, and parent meetings. Due to their reputations and smaller class sizes, these latter schools can be moderately competitive, especially in certain grade levels. We recommend contacting schools directly in the early fall to request information and attend open houses, which are commonly held in the fall and winter.
For families considering both, what are some key differences between the Bastrop Independent School District (BISD) public schools and the local private school options?
Key differences include class size, curricular focus, and cost. BISD schools offer a broad, state-standardized (TEKS) curriculum to a diverse population, with no tuition. Private options offer smaller class sizes (often 15:1 or lower), specialized philosophies (classical, religious, college-prep), and more flexibility in curriculum. For example, a family seeking daily religious instruction would find that only in private schools. Conversely, BISD provides extensive UIL athletics, fine arts programs, and special education services on a larger scale. The decision often hinges on a family's priority for a specific educational approach versus the comprehensive, tuition-free offerings of the public district, alongside considerations for commute, as some top private choices are outside the immediate Bastrop area.