TUITION AND FEES

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 69 reviews 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Niche  
 
  
 
 
 Parent 
 
21 November 2024
 
 
  
My child loves school. History feels like dramatic stories of our past. Math lessons include games and real world application of skills that make the necessary memorization of facts worthwhile. Reading is a way to encounter literature and ideas that fuel lively discussions. Writing is a way to share ideas students care about. The arts are used to create projects about class content. Quarterly themes spotlight content that students use to develop projects, shared in a research exchange between grade levels. Students work across grade levels, cultivating respect, which is reinforced through their social-emotional learning curriculum. School leadership effectively fosters a respectful, kind community of parents. Politics do not drive the curriculum. It is truly a place to learn. School shortcomings include limited playground facilities, and the absence of a dedicated arts & sports curriculum. However, this is the trade-off for going to a school with reduced onsite hours.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Bonnie W. 
 
7 November 2024
 
 
 Verified 
AHB is an amazing school! My son went here for 7th and 8th grade. He made quality friendships with friends that he has managed to stay in touch with. He experienced no bullying and only kindness from his peers. The teachers are warm and loving folks that enjoy teaching. I'm very happy that we chose to send him to AHB.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Niche  
 
  
 
 
 Parent 
 
10 February 2024
 
 
  
Our daughter has been at AHB Community School since Kindergarten. She’s now in 4th grade.  The small class sizes and ~10-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio have been great. It was important to us to get this small school environment in one of the fastest growing cities in the country. That’s becoming harder and harder to find and it’s something we really appreciate about AHB.  Before joining, I did have reservations about the academic rigor of the school. It’s obvious AHB is a loving and nurturing environment. You can see that from outside and I can attest to the fact it is indeed that. I did have concerns our daughter might get behind in academics, though. That just hasn’t been the case. Instead, what we’ve found is that AHB has helped create a real curiosity. Our daughter is multiple grade levels ahead of her age. AHB is playing the long game and it’s worked out really well for our family. I’ve seen a similar situation for most of our friends at the school.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Greatschools  
 
  
 
 
 Parent / Guardian 
 
26 October 2023
 
 
  
A few years ago my 3rd grader was struggling in public school and absolutely hated school. We tried everything and realized it just wasn't working. We needed to make a change. I had heard about AHB through friends and decided to move him there. Now he is so happy and actually looks forward to going to school. He loves the smaller class size and the friendships he has created. AHB was a lifesaver for us. You can tell that the teachers are happy to be there, enjoy teaching, and love their students. The community of families is wonderful! I only wish we had moved to AHB sooner.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 S V. 
 
28 September 2023
 
 
 Verified 
After bouncing around from school to school, and one bad experience to another, we have finally found a school where the staff is thoughtful and the culture is transparent. It took me 6 years of speaking to schools and educators to finally find AHB! A couple points to note about AHB: - Children work on projects that provide context for various aspects of the topic on hand. For instance, my child is studying the human body -- in doing so, she is creating a model of the human body. It started with a simple outline of the human body on a large piece of cardboard. The, during week 1, the kids learnt about the human brain and she added a brain to her model. Week 2, they studied the skeletal system and my child added a skeleton to her model. You get the point, right? This type of experiential learning provides context (as opposed to "learning" devoid of context). Why is this important? Because, all of life has context: nowhere in life is one working on anything that is devoid of context. - Parents have opportunities to be deeply engaged with the school. AHB has various after-school programs, many of which are run by parents. For instance, I'm involved in a once-a-week math program where we meet for an hour and play various games. There's another parent who teaches yoga, and yet another who teaches music and singing. Also, the school board is comprised of mainly parents -- so, people whose kids are attending the school and who are deeply invested in the well-being of the kids are making the decisions. Thankfully. I have more to say and not a ton of time, but I will say one last thing -- this is a very different school from any other school I have come across in Austin. People here actually listen, engage and collaborate.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Niche  
 
  
 
 
 Parent 
 
19 October 2021
 
 
  
My second grader is actually excited to go to school every day, and says she loves it at AHB! She's learning in math and language in interactive ways that are engaging and build comprehension.   Math and language are separated by skill level, and in the afternoon mixed ages come together to work as groups, going deep on science subjects and social studies.   As a result, my child is above level on core curriculum yet also explaining features of the ocean basin and African cultures that are new to me. Most importantly, she's having fun learning, which is something I hope she carries with her throughout life.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Facebook  
 
  
 
 
 Abigail King 
 
5 June 2019
 
 
 recommends 
AHB is amazing!  What a treasure.  Academic rigor, emotional intelligence,  global/social consciousness, and overall deep and genuine respect for the learners and the learning.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Jeanne P. 
 
23 May 2019
 
 
 Verified 
We have just completed our first year at AHB CS with students in the alpha (kindergarten) and gamma (4th grade) classes. Overall we have been very happy. Things we love: project based learning is heavily utilized which gives kids hands on learning opportunities every day. Worksheets are few and far between. The classes are small enough for kids to get plenty of one on one teacher time but large enough that they have a wide friend circle. Shorter school days and weeks (lower grades attend only 3 days a week with optional 4th and 5th days, bigger kids attend 4 days a week and the day is 9-2:30 with optional after school options). The teachers are excellent, creative and friendly. Tuition is very reasonable for central Austin. Things we don't like: as with any smaller community school you won't have things larger schools have like counselors, a dedicated student life administrator, hot lunches etc. While I'd love these options, they are not deal breakers for us. If you have a child that you think would not bloom in a traditional educational environment sitting at a desk all day then I'd definitely recommend looking at AHB. My kids look forward to going to school every day which was not always the case previously.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Greatschools  
 
  
 
 
 Parent / Guardian 
 
10 May 2019
 
 
  
We love AHB. For us it has been the perfect mix of academic rigor (challenging each students at their appropriate level) and a warm social-emotional learning environment. I feel the approach to learning (more open-ended projects, student choice, and group work) not only keeps my kids engaged (liking school) but also better prepares them for life after school.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Diem N. 
 
29 March 2019
 
 
 Verified 
My child is part of the Deltas, the middles years. Since starting at AHB, he actually loves learning and wants to continue here for the rest of middle school. We came from the public school system, and the difference is night and day. I love the cooperative learning environment and the small class size. His two teachers actually know him as a person and not just one of many students. He is challenged and engaged. I see the joy of learning in him that I didn't really see in public school. Although he scored very high on the reading section of the Texas State Assessment Tests, his writing skills were not really up to par. Since starting at AHB, I am confident he will be more than well prepared for high school. I am really impressed with the Delta teachers and the quality of education he is getting at AHB. As someone mentioned previously, parents are free to come and go. The kids are taught to be kind and respectful. The staff actually care about the kids and follow through if they say they will do something, not just saying what you want to hear and dropping the ball. I had an older child that went to 6th grade at a local public school, and I can honestly say my younger son is getter a better 6th grade education then his sibling did. Also note, my child is not outgoing but the environment is very accepting & warm; he was able to join mid year without any issues. We are so thankful to have found this community school.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 A W 
 
9 May 2017
 
 
  
Both of my kids are here and LOVING IT!  My daughter is finishing her 4th year and has never said that she doesn't want to go to school.  That's so important to me.  Academically, she's on or above level in all subjects.  My son who can't sit still hasn't really needed to much because he's SO into all the amazing projects they do in class.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Greatschools  
 
  
 
 
 Parent / Guardian 
 
24 May 2016
 
 
  
We are finishing our third year at AHB. My children truly love going to school. We have a small community led by wonderful teachers and involved parents. I love that my kids get to experience learning in a fun way - by completing projects, interacting with their peers and exploring their surroundings. The teachers incorporate art and music into their lessons, but still have high academic standards (without testing and the pressure of grades).
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Google  
 
  
 
 
 Erica V. 
 
14 February 2016
 
 
  
My son is in the Delta class, which is the older students class. His teachers are always open to questions and feedback, and are willing to work with my son to focus learning on what interests him. For example, the entire class is studying Spanish, but my son would rather learn German. So they've gone out of their way to allow him to study it instead of requiring he learn Spanish with everyone else. I like that there's both a four AND five day option. We chose 4 because that fits our lives and schedules better. It was also easy to sell to a 12 year old! :) His father and I are so impressed with the vocabulary and literature they're learning, and his math skills have improved markedly since the beginning of the school year. He's definitely noticed all this himself and feels more confident. There are no grades or standardized tests, only the monitoring of skills they've mastered, and are in the process of mastering, so there's none of that stress to deal with. The fundraisers are so much fun! My husband and I volunteered at the Home Brew Fest this year, and it was a blast hanging out with the other parents, sipping tasty beers and raising money for the school. The families are all diverse, so no matter your background, you and your children will have someone to connect with. This school has so many options for kids and parents and budgets and schedules, and the teachers and staff genuinely care about creating a harmonious learning environment and community. So glad we get to be involved!
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Jill L. 
 
30 October 2014
 
 
 Verified 
My son recently transferred to this school. I honestly did not realize how dysfunctional a learning environment he was in until we discovered this wonderful place. My child who was behind in reading, writing and math and HATED school is now blossoming educationally and socially, growing leaps and bounds in confidence, and flourishing in his creativity. He loves school and more important he enjoys learning. It is a beautiful thing to watch him grow and also a beautiful thing to watch first hand what true quality project based learning can be. Many schools use the word "project based" in their mission statements and curriculum language but fail to achieve it in the day to day reality of learning. At AHB the project based learning succeeds at such a high level through the perfect blend of talented and skilled teachers and with the trust of allowing some of project based learning to happen organically from the needs, interests, and response of its learners. I continue to be surprised by the talents of the teachers. Our son who expressed little interest in math is discovering new hidden talents in areas we did not know because his teachers take the time and use math games and creative math exploration to develop and uncover his natural talents. The new head of school and leadership is present, approachable, and involved in an authentic manner. He always seems to communicate clear vision and clear goals for the community. They also provide lots of resources and enrichment opportunities for parents to grow as home educators which has really been neat. The space is clean and inviting. The structure and resources both in house and in the cloud for the parent community is very efficient and helpful. The teachers are extraordinarily talented, loving, and devoted to developing a curriculum path that specifically meets your child's needs I literally feel like I want to stay every day to explore with the class and many days I do because they encourage and invite parent involvement. I love this school and glad they have extended to middle school and will hope and work to see them expand further. Oh and did I mention that they are affordable. All of these amazing private school perks at an affordable private school rate. This is a HUGE blessing for our family and a gift to the Austin community.... worth every effort to save and support. As an ex-private school teacher I know how hard it is to run a learning community efficiently and effectively and I continue to be impressed on a regular basis with all that they are accomplish on such a small budget. May their support grow and bring them more resources to serve many more in the Austin community that deserve quality education. Thank you AHB for bringing the love of learning back into my son's life.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Jeff W. 
 
5 December 2013
 
 
 Verified 
What a special place to learn for a communities young and bright. A school where the parents aren't just welcomed to visit, but instead are an integral part of their child's education. Public schools have become good places to learn how to take tests (as someone who received an excellent public education it pains me to say that), private schools can often be a good place to learn subjects. What is special about AHB is their ability to teach kids to want to learn and more importantly to enjoy doing so. Learning subjects and learning how to take a test are biproducts of education not the education. AHB knows this and more importantly has the ability to educate accordingly. I have a unique perspective as a God father of young student at AHB. What parents see as day to day improvements I see as significant, amazing incremental growth. I see a young child who attended kindergarten at a public school whom did not want " to go to that place" is now not only excited about going to school, but is also excited about learning. He is maturing as a curious young pupil, but equally as important as a good young citizen. Don't listen to the adults, listen to the kids. You will see it in their smiles, hear in their voices or in my case you will notice it in a special twinkle of the eye right before you hear a very loud "Check Mate" at the losing end of a chess match.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 Selwyn P. 
 
28 September 2012
 
 
 Verified 
My kiddo goes to this school and I am very impressed with the care his teachers and the director give to him. It's a far better alternative than the public schools with a ratio of 9 kiddos to 1 teacher. Lots of individualized attention and a world class curriculum. Surprised that someone wrote that crummy review - maybe they were thinking of somewhere else.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 Posted on Yelp  
 
  
 
 
 M B. 
 
21 September 2012
 
 
 Verified 
Our experience at an 'exemplary' public elementary school... well... it just wasn't for us. The lack of flexibility with schedule, and the crowded classrooms added up to us walking away. We conducted a comprehensive search for a private school in central, north and south Austin. We toured and spent time in a lot of great schools. Then we found AHB. It's an intelligent, warm school with a unique approach and humane and flexible schedule. It's a vibrant diverse little community of people who share a desire to be involved in their child's education. There a lots of choices for schools in Austin. This one was perfect for us.
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tuition

Core Program

Monday – Thursday, 9a-2:30p
Challenging curriculum in a supportive, enjoyable program.
Read about AHB Academics

$1292/month ($15,500 annually)

Optional Extensions

Middle School Friday

Friday 9a-2:30p (Grades 5-8 only)
Guest speakers, projects, community service
Read about AHB’s Middle School Friday Extension

Read about Friday Programs around Austin for K-6

$192/month ($2300/year)

After School Classes

Monday-Thursday 2:30-3:30
Sports, yearbook, musical theater and more!
Read about AHB After School Classes

$350/semester

Fresh Air Fun

Monday – Thursday, 8a-9a & 2:30p-3:30p
Extra recess and activities
Read about AHB Fresh Air Fun

$150-500/semester

Fees

Annual Re-enrollment Fee –
Current Students

Annual re-enrollment fee for all returning students.
Non-refundable and not applied to tuition.
Due by March 1 of the preceding school year.

$800

Enrollment & Registration Fee –
New Students

First time enrollment & registration fee for new students.
Non-refundable and not applied to tuition.
Due upon admission acceptance.

$1200

AHB is a treasure!  A joyful and potent mix of academic rigor, emotional intelligence, global/social awareness, and deep respect for the learners and the learning process.  The students LOVE school, and they are out-learning their peers at traditional “prep” schools by leagues.  A very loving, inclusive environment; yet my math-hating son somehow morphed into a math madman in one year of the AHB middle school.  Magical! 

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