It's not just about the grades.
We take time to understand how your child learns best. our mission is “to provide an enriched academic program within a Christian environment emphasizing the fulfillment of each student’s potential.” This is not just a statement, but a commitment to keeping class sizes small so teachers can get to know each child and guide them towards personal success.
Our college preparatory curriculum is second to none, period. In fact, most graduates have reported that their courses at St. Andrew’s were comparable or harder than their freshman college courses. So, what makes our school unique? That’s easy—our outstanding faculty and their commitment to producing students who love learning and are prepared for the future. This starts in the first grade where students are introduced to good study habits through light homework assignments and continues through senior year, where students work off-campus on independent assignments called their Senior Project for the last month of school.
Lower and Middle School Academics
For detailed descriptions of courses, please see our Lower School Curriculum and Middle School Curriculum pages.
- On average, our students consistently score above the National, Suburban, and independent School norms on all portions of the CTP IV Achievement Test.
- Spanish begins in first grade, Latin is added in 5th grade, and in middle School students may choose from Spanish, Latin, or mandarin Chinese.
- 5th - 8th Grade students take the national Latin Exam and participate in the private School interscholastic Association (PSIA) Competition.
- 7th Grade students participate in the Duke Talent identification program (TIP). 7th - 8th Grade students attend and participate in the Pan-American Student Forum State Convention (PASF).
- Students also have the opportunity to participate in many educationally relevant (and fun!) trips:
Optional trips:
- 5th & 6th Grades:
Washington D.C. / Boston - Spring Break
- 7th & 8th Grades: Queretero, Mexico - June
- 8th Grade: New York - Thanksgiving
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Required Trips:
- 6th Grade: Mo Ranch (Team Building)
- 7th Grade: Key Largo, FL (Science)
- 8th Grade: Big Bend (Science)
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Upper School Academics
For detailed descriptions of courses, please see our Upper School Curriculum page.
- Austin’s most academically rigorous environment, we offer a wide range of AP exams in areas of Art History, Biology, Calculus (AB and BC), Chemistry, English Language, English Literature, Latin Vergil, Music Theory, Physics B, Spanish Language, Statistics, Studio Art, and US History. Generally, 89% of students pass with a 3, 4, or 5.
- Our Advisory program offers unheard of personal attention in a small group setting where students interact with their advisor at three different points during the day: advisory, Chapel, and after-school clean-up.
- Our curriculum is supplemented with exciting educational travel opportunities:
- 9th Grade Trip to Camp Balcones Springs: A three-day sojourn to the Texas Hill Country where incoming 9th graders bond and participate in team building activities.
- The Junior Experience: A required two week journey to “an environment that is dramatically different from the student’s daily surroundings during the summer before or the summer after the junior year.”
- Fine Art trips including: visiting museums in Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago, and choir trips across the U.S.