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Overall Approach

Core Curriculum: Our lower school program partners with parents and students to create a customized and well-rounded academic education. We utilize our hybrid schedule and independent study times to individualize each child’s learning interests, and we maximize our time together in classes through Socratic discussions and project-based learning.

Our core curriculum covers the academic areas necessary for our students to receive a well-rounded education and incorporates an approach that serves our greater mission.

Core Teaching Materials: Guides at The Studio™ teach from customized curriculum as a “spine” for each collaborative class. We utilize materials that emphasize project-based learning and discussion-based learning. We rely on our Guides to provide wisdom and experience in the classroom environment, and we train our students to become leaders of their own learning. 

Quests: Quests are lengthy, interdisciplinary deep dives that cover a particular topic or driving question that leads the learning process. Our project-based and student-customized quests are meant to build excitement for learning and to incorporate soft skills meant to prepare our students for future careers: team building, collaboration, project management, public speaking, etc. Our quests often end with a public product presented at a Studio Community Exhibition rather than a final exam.

Student and Parent Meetings: Both at the beginning and midway through the school year, our pod guides meet with each individual family to plan the year. Students, parents, & guides work together to discuss goals for core classes and to choose elective topics aligned with the student’s needs and interests.

General Plan By Academic Level

Lower School– 3rd-8th grade.

Elective Badges: Our elective badges are the primary way parents can customize their child’s learning path. These electives offer opportunities for deeper exploration in the following categories:

  • Language Arts

  • Math

  • Computer Skills

  • Geography

  • Memory

  • Public Speaking

  • Experiential Learning & Life Skills

We’re continually expanding our list of elective badges to meet the evolving interests and needs of our students.

High School (Freshmen – Seniors)

All high school students are encouraged to follow a strong college-preparatory program.  Accordingly, we structure our program so that students can take the courses that competitive colleges expect students to complete in high school.
 
The only required classes for High School are our Leadership classes, however, we do encourage students to participate in our full program. Studio Prep classes provide more than just credits—they immerse students in our unique learning philosophy, where deep thinking, student agency, and real-world connections are central to the experience.
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Families can customize each student’s learning path by choosing courses beyond our curriculum. We also assist students who wish to enroll in classes at Austin Community College— its Highland campus is located just a half-mile walk from Studio Prep.
We offer:
  • Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus
  • Physics, Chemistry, Experimental Design and Research Methods (1 and 2)
  • Four years of English (2 World Literature, 1 British Literature, 1 American Literature)
  • World History, US History, Government, Economics
  • Three levels of Spanish
  • 4 Year Leadership Quest (required for all students)

Leadership 1: Understanding a Well-Lived Life (9th and 10th)

Goals

  • To gain insight into how individuals across time and cultures have pursued meaningful lives
  • To gain clarity about personal strengths, weaknesses, and ideal work environments
  • To understand calling in a broader sense
  • To see leadership as an opportunity to serve and make a difference in their community
  • To develop leadership skills that enable them to lead with wisdom and humility
  • To begin developing habits that lead to a well-lived life

Leadership 2:  Preparing for Life Beyond the Studio (11th and 12th)

Goals

  • To deepen students’ understanding of what it means to live a well-lived life
  • To gain greater clarity on the unique gifts they have to offer
  • To deep dive into an area of interest
  • To practice goal-setting, planning, and habit formation as students work on a long-term project
  • To continue developing leadership skills as they serve in their local community and beyond
  • To cultivate the skills needed to build relationships and collaborate in professional settings

Students in Leadership 2 work on a 2- year Capstone Project, which allows them to engage with professionals to explore potential careers or other areas of personal interest.