Student Life
Experiential Learning
At St. Andrew's, experiential learning (XL) is central to our mission of developing curious, courageous, and compassionate global citizens.
Learning By Doing
Think back to a lesson that truly changed you. Chances are, you didn't learn it from a textbook alone.
You attempted something new, faced challenges, reflected on what happened, and tried again with new understanding. That's experiential learning: learning that uses authentic, real-world interactions to help us grow.
At St. Andrew's, we provide students with opportunities to take classroom lessons and apply them in meaningful ways, whether that's conducting research in Shoal Creek, building a beehive in The PARK, or nurturing their own gardens to learn about biodiversity and sustainability. Through these experiences, students develop the tools for lifelong learning and become prepared to make a difference in their communities and beyond.
Campus-Based Learning
The PARK at Southwest Parkway
Our 125-acre Southwest Parkway campus includes over 60 acres of undeveloped land featuring designated campsites, working beehives, hiking trails, and outdoor classrooms. This valuable space is a hub for hands-on learning across all grade levels. Students study biodiversity, practice sustainability, and connect art with nature through programs that bring academic concepts to life. From learning mapping and topography by exploring the trails to understanding how to be good stewards of our unique location that straddles the Edwards Aquifer, the PARK is a living classroom that brings learning to life.
Place-Based Research
The 31st Street Campus sits alongside Shoal Creek, providing students with a natural laboratory for environmental study. Students conduct hands-on research, study local ecosystems, and participate in conservation efforts like creek cleanups and habitat restoration. This work helps them understand biodiversity, water quality, and the interconnectedness of human and ecological systems.
Gardening
Students participate in campus gardens that teach sustainable food practices from seed to table. Students grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers while learning about pollinators' critical role in ecosystems. Second graders host an annual Pollinator Palooza celebration, showcasing their research on bees, butterflies, and other essential species. The gardens also supply fresh produce to the school kitchen, demonstrating the full cycle of sustainable food systems.
The Middle School Environmental Action Council (EAC) leads student-driven projects like planting fall crops using water-efficient drip irrigation, participating in the Monarch Watch Tagging Program, and partnering with local organizations for habitat restoration during "It's My Park Day."
Travel
Class Retreats
Starting in fifth grade, St. Andrew's students embark on class retreats to places like Mo Ranch, Camp Buckner, and Big Bend. These trips are designed to hone teamwork and leadership skills, push them outside of their comfort zones, and promote environmental stewardship. Students form closer bonds as a class and gain an appreciation for the natural world around us.
Optional Adventures
As part of the Experiential Learning program, St. Andrew's is proud to offer several optional domestic and international trips each year. The school seeks to provide students with opportunities to navigate unfamiliar settings, broaden their perspectives, and explore the natural world with their peers. Some recent and upcoming destinations include the Yosemite Valley of California, Taiwan, Glacier National Park, Puerto Rico, and Greece.
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Taiwan
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Taiwan
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Taiwan
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Yosemite Valley
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Yosemite Valley
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Yosemite Valley
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Yosemite Valley
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Yosemite Valley
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Yosemite Valley
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Yosemite Valley
International Exchange
Japanese Exchange Program
Our exchange program with Momoyama Gakuin University in Osaka, Japan brings global learning to life.
Two students each from St. Andrew's and Momoyama Gakuin (also known as Saint Andrew's University) exchange places for one academic year, offering participants a profound cultural immersion experience. Students live with host families and fully integrate into their new schools and communities. St. Andrew's students experience Japan’s rich traditions while developing skills in cross-cultural communication and independence. Likewise, our Japanese students embrace life in Austin, enriching our community with their unique perspectives. This exchange creates a spirit of multicultural conviviality and equips students to be adaptable, cooperative global citizens.
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St. Andrew's students studying in Osaka for the 2025-2026 school year.
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Steven Fletcher and Alice Nezzer visit St. Andrew's in Osaka.
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Steven Fletcher welcomes a Momoyama Gakuin student arriving in Austin.
Faraway Friends
Lower School students partner with Promise Village Academy in Tanzania.
Second and third graders connect with students at Promise Village Academy in northern Tanzania through video calls, letter writing, and collaborative learning. As they get to know PVA students, who are all children of the Maasai tribe and the first in their families to attend school, St. Andrew's students gain perspective on education as a transformative force. SAS students learn about different daily realities, from walking miles to school to relying on the school as their only source of clean water, while also discovering meaningful similarities in their love of play, books, and learning. The partnership helps students understand that children across the world share common hopes and dreams despite different circumstances, nurturing empathy and global awareness.
