New Family FAQs

Arrival and dismissal are structured, efficient, and designed with student safety as the top priority. At the Lower School, faculty and staff are present to direct traffic, greet students, and help ensure a smooth flow. Families will receive campus-specific maps, timing windows, and procedures before the school year begins.

Yes. For the safety of our community, all visitors must check in through the front desk or security office and get a name badge before moving through campus.

Carline is designed to be quick and safe. 

Visitor parking is available near each campus entry point. If you are picking up your child during the school day, please stop by the front desk so our team can assist you. Our goal is to make these moments as smooth as possible for families.

Please contact your division office as soon as possible so we can support your child and update dismissal plans safely.

Bus transportation is available for Upper School students who need to travel from 31st to Southwest Parkway in the mornings. Two return shuttles from Southwest Parkway are available in the afternoons to support departures right after school and again after sports practices. The buses depart from the 31st Street campus at 8am from the Lower School Circle Drive. Eligibility and schedule details are shared during enrollment and there may be a transportation fee depending on service selection.

John Richardson, Director of Transportation (jrichardson@sasaustin.org) or your division office is always the best first step.

Yes, parents are welcome to join us for chapel. Chapel is an important rhythm of life at St. Andrew’s and a meaningful time when students and faculty gather as a community to pause, reflect, celebrate milestones, and hear messages that encourage kindness, courage, gratitude, and service. While rooted in the Episcopal tradition, chapel is welcoming and inclusive, bringing together students of many backgrounds and beliefs. Families often enjoy attending to see student readers, musicians, listen to senior homilies or special speakers, and to experience the sense of connection that chapel helps foster across our school community. We are always glad to have parents join us for this special time together.

Yes — Orientations, Back-to-School Nights, grade-level socials, athletic events, arts performances, and community celebrations are wonderful entry points.

Through:

Yes - events like Grandparents Day, Homecoming, and St. Andrew’s Day quickly become family favorites.

Our Beyond the Classroom (BTC) program is designed to extend the school day in meaningful ways, offering Lower School students (Grades K–5) a safe, engaging, and enriching environment from dismissal until 5:30 p.m. on school days.

BTC provides families with flexible options while giving students opportunities to explore interests, build friendships, and stay active. Some students use this time to complete homework or work with tutors so evenings at home can be more relaxed. Others choose to dive into creative projects, sports, music lessons, or simply enjoy time playing with friends outdoors.

A wide variety of enrichment classes rotate throughout the year. A sampling of offerings includes: Aromatherapy, Basketball Basics, Gardening, Sewing and Crafting, Taekwondo, Tennis, Chess, Digital Media, STEM, Foodie Kids, and Volleyball Skills. 

Students who prefer a more relaxed afternoon can also choose supervised free play, spending time outdoors on the playground or enjoying games and activities with friends.

BTC is designed with busy families in mind. While many students register for specific classes in advance, parents can also call the school the day of if they need their child to drop in for the afternoon, making it a convenient option when schedules change.

Whether students are creating, competing, exploring, or simply playing, BTC helps ensure that the final hours of the day are just as enriching and joyful as the first.

The Middle School House System is an important part of student life at St. Andrew’s. Each student is placed in a small, cross-grade community called a House, where they build relationships with peers and faculty beyond their homeroom or grade level. Houses are named after important figures in St. Andrew’s history: McGhee House, Bailey House, Nazro House, and Wilson House.

The House System helps ensure that every student feels known, supported, and connected as they grow through the middle school years. Within their House, 6th-8th grade students participate in a variety of activities throughout the year, including service opportunities, friendly competitions, and leadership experiences. These moments create space for students to collaborate, encourage one another, and celebrate together.

The Parent Association (PA) is our parent organization that supports community-building, school programs, and family connection across all divisions. Every St. Andrew’s parent is automatically a member!

Attend quarterly Parent Association meetings, volunteer at school events, or simply connect with PA grade-level representatives.

School-wide events offer wonderful opportunities to jump in alongside other parents. Volunteers help support celebrations such as Teacher Appreciation Week, Grandparents Day, Homecoming, St. Andrew’s Day, the Benefit for Financial Aid, the Book Fair, and more.

Grade-level activities also provide fun and meaningful ways to connect with students and families:

Lower School: Lunch volunteer duty is always popular (and a great excuse to give your child a quick hug!) as well as Holiday Decorating in the classroom hallways.

Yes - volunteer opportunities range from one-time opportunities to ongoing roles.

Philanthropy plays an important role in sustaining the St. Andrew’s experience, supporting financial aid, programs, and the spaces where our students learn and grow. Participation at any level is meaningful and deeply appreciated. Throughout the year, our community comes together in several ways to support the school. 

The St. Andrew’s Fund campaign takes place each fall, with a goal of full parent participation. In the spring, families gather for the Benefit for Financial Aid, which helps sustain our financial assistance program. In addition, the Raise the Roof Capital Campaign continues to advance important campus projects that will serve students for years to come. We are deeply grateful to the generations of St. Andrew’s families whose generosity has shaped our school, creating our beautiful facilities and the wide range of student opportunities.

Our Go Blue Athletics Booster Club and Fine Arts Booster (FAB) Club support programs through spirit-building, volunteerism, and fundraising. Families can join anytime!

Weekly newsletters (Friday’s Highlander Headlines) + mySAS Parent Portal + division emails and the mySAS calendar are the primary sources. Be sure to read through the K-12 Highlander Headlines newsletter every Friday, there are great information and updates provided in that communication!

The leadership team includes the Head of School, Associate Head, Division Heads, and senior administrators who oversee academics, student life, and operations.

St. Andrew’s is organized into three divisions — Lower School (K-5), Middle School (6-8), and Upper School (9-12). Division Heads oversee the academic program, student experience, and the partnership between school and families.

Lower School: Yvonne Russell

Middle School: Tim Moore

Upper School: Steven Fletcher, PhD.

Division Heads work closely with teachers, advisors, and administrators to support students both academically and personally. They are thoughtful guides for each stage of the student journey and important partners for families as children grow and move through the school.

The St. Andrew’s Board of Trustees is entrusted with the great responsibility of governing the nonprofit entity of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. As an independent Episcopal school, the Board ensures that the school remains faithful to its mission, financially strong, and strategically positioned for the future.

Board members serve staggered three-year terms, and in accordance with our bylaws, two-thirds of trustees must be Episcopalian. The bylaws also state that students are instructed in the Christian religion according to the teachings of the Episcopal Church and that St. Andrew’s operates an accredited academic program. Board members serve staggered three-year terms, and in accordance with our bylaws, two-thirds of trustees must be Episcopalian. The bylaws also state that students are instructed in the Christian religion according to the teachings of the Episcopal Church and that St. Andrew’s operates an accredited academic program.

The Board functions using a traditional committee structure and meets monthly on campus. Trustees also oversee the annual 

Email is usually the best way to connect with teachers. Our faculty strive to respond within 24 hours on weekdays. Clear, open communication is an important part of our partnership with parents, and we want you to feel comfortable reaching out whenever questions or thoughts arise.

Start with the person closest to the situation — usually the teacher or advisor.

If a concern continues or involves broader student experience or policy questions.

Head of School Melissa Grubb maintains an open-door approach to communication and welcomes hearing from families. While most day-to-day questions are best addressed by your child’s teacher, advisor, or division office, parents are always welcome to reach out to Melissa with broader school-wide questions, strategic topics, or ideas about the future of the school. Open, thoughtful communication is an important part of our partnership with families, and Melissa is always glad to connect when it’s helpful.

Start with the coach, then the Athletics Office if needed (Lower School: P.E. teachers, Middle School: Jack Wallace, Middle School Athletic Director, Upper School: Thomas Sale, Director of Athletics or Kristen Benjamin, Associate Director of Athletics).

Official notes through mySAS, progress reports, conferences, teacher communication, and advisor check-ins.

The school day is a valuable time for students to focus on learning, relationships, and personal growth. Our approach to cell phones reflects that priority at each age level.

Lower School: Students may not bring cell phones to school.

Middle School: Students may bring phones but they are not allowed to be used while on campus.

Upper School: Students keep phones put away during the school day so they can remain fully engaged in classes and activities.

Our goal is to create an environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Limiting phone use during the school day helps support:

 

Thoughtful tech boundaries help students develop healthy habits, strengthen relationships, and fully participate in the life of the school.

Contact the division office — we will make sure your child receives the message quickly.

The safety of our students and community is a top priority. Gary Griffin, Director of Security, has over three decades of law enforcement experience and oversees comprehensive safety protocols across both campuses. He also works closely with school leadership to ensure that thoughtful procedures are in place throughout the school day and during major events. We partner with The Watchmen Group and Dennis Security, whose trained security professionals are present on campus each day to support safety and awareness. Additional security personnel assist with traffic flow and help welcome and guide visitors to campus.

Assignments are age-appropriate and designed to support skill-building, independence, and curiosity. At each grade level, there is intentional scaffolding to prepare students for the next level of learning and in some cases, opportunities for students to accelerate their academic track. 

Lunch is built into tuition. We partner with SAGE Dining Services to provide healthful and delicious meals for our students, faculty, and staff every day. On the 31st Street campus, lunch is served in Nazro Hall and on the Southwest Parkway campus, breakfast and lunch are served in Founders Hall. We do not permit outside food to be brought on campus for breakfast or lunch in an effort to minimize potential allergens. Our SAGE team provides an interactive menu each day so students, parents, faculty, and staff know exactly what ingredients and food allergens are present in the day’s meals. Daily menus can be found on the website on the Resource Board or under Student Life on the external website.

The theme of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) at St. Andrew’s encourages the healthy development of self, relationships, and community. Our K-12 program strives to intentionally guide our students to a greater sense of self and self-regulation; how to establish, build, and maintain healthy relationships; and provide opportunities for each student to use these skills to positively affect themselves and the school community. St. Andrew’s has a robust student wellness team composed of counselors, advisors, chaplains, and nurses who support students daily.

Yes. Learning specialists, teacher support, and extra academic resources are available as needed.

Our discipline philosophy is restorative, growth-focused, and centered on learning and accountability. As an Episcopal school, St. Andrew’s embraces the values of honor, tolerance, and intellectual curiosity. 

In the Lower School, we ask all of our students to sign a Community Promise: As members of the St. Andrew’s Community, we will be responsible, respectful, honest, and kind to make our school an enjoyable and safe place to learn.

In the Middle and Upper Schools, we ask all of our students to read and sign an Honor Code: As a member of the St. Andrew’s Episcopal School community, I accept personal responsibility for my actions and their impact on other members of the community. At all times, I will exhibit academic integrity, cultivate a safe and respectful environment, and encourage others to do the same.

The Spirit Shop sells St. Andrew’s gear and snacks. Accounts can be managed through Kanpla (link through mySAS) and it is an excellent volunteer opportunity, particularly for Upper School parents!

This is our internal web portal and is used for student grades, schedules, tuition and ancillary billing, forms, event registration, and school communications. Each parent will receive a login to register on mySAS.

On mySAS, the Resource Board is a central place for quick links, reminders, and frequently used tools like handbooks, photo galleries, enrollment contracts, and more.

Those updates can be made through mySAS account settings. 

Contact the Technology Help Desk at help@sasaustin.org or the Admissions/Division Office.