Your Questions, Answered (and a Few You Didn’t Know You Had!)

 

What does a day at Studio look like?

We encourage you to come see what a day at Studio looks like! Each day of Our Core Program includes core classes, collaborative quests and projects, Socratic discussions, PE, and independent study. Schedule a tour here.

Do students have opportunities for movement, playing games, outdoor play, and exploring nature?

Absolutely! We believe movement, play, and outdoor exploration are essential parts of a thriving learning environment.

All students enjoy a 50-minute lunch/recess block each day, where they have the freedom to go outside, play games in the gym, join a ping pong match, build in the Makerspace, or relax and connect with friends. Lower School students also start their mornings with 20 minutes of outdoor games and movement to energize their bodies and minds.

Throughout the day, students are encouraged to take “brain breaks” as needed to recharge.

We also integrate nature-based activities into our program, including maintaining a school garden and caring for plants throughout the studio. These experiences help students connect with the natural world, develop responsibility, and experience the joy of hands-on learning.

We are currently working on launching a sports program that will give students even more opportunities to have fun, build skills, and enjoy moving their bodies in a positive, fun environment.

How much screen time do students have at Studio Prep?

Technology is an important tool in our learning environment, but we work hard to keep it balanced with plenty of face-to-face interaction, creative work, and time outdoors. Students use chromebooks for academic research, creative projects, writing, and other classwork, but personal devices like phones, tablets, and smartwatches are kept in a “device parking lot” during the day to encourage full engagement in the community.


We also encourage students to take “brain breaks” to help them stay energized and connected throughout the day. Our goal is to foster a healthy relationship with technology—using it purposefully for learning while making sure students have rich, real-world experiences beyond the screen.

What do you mean by “diverse”?

At Studio Prep, we use the word diverse to describe the broad range of students and families we welcome and support. This includes:

  • Neurotypical and neurodivergent students, including those formally or informally diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia, or sensory and processing differences
  • Students from a variety of cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds
  • Students from a range of economic circumstances
  • Students with a wide range of abilities and disabilities
  • Students who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community
  • Students from different faith traditions, as well as those with no faith background

We believe this diversity enriches our learning community and reflects the reality of our world.

What is the leadership structure of your school?

Studio Prep is a board-led organization. Our Board of Directors includes current parents, respected members of the Austin community, and the Head of Studio. The board provides oversight, sets high-level direction for the organization, and offers accountability for the Head of Studio. In addition to serving on the board, the Head of Studio manages the day-to-day operations and guides the overall direction of the educational program.

What makes us Christian?

Our organization is Christian because the love of God is the foundation for everything we do. We intentionally cultivate an environment—what we call an oasis—where students experience God’s kindness, care, patience, goodness, and beauty. It’s a safe, welcoming space for students to ask questions, engage in meaningful conversations, listen to one another with curiosity and humility, and ultimately learn and grow. While our staff and board are ecumenical, our shared commitment is to embody the transformative love of God in all we do.

What is the Nicene Creed?

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son].

With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. AMEN.

What ages/grades are your current students?

Our students range in age from 8 to 18 and 3rd through 12th grade. Students should be 8 years old by September 1st of the current school year to be admitted. For more information on requirements for admission please visit our Admissions page.

What is your annual schedule?

We meet August – May for four sessions with breaks between each session. This includes a 1-week fall break, 1-week Thanksgiving break, 3-weeks for Christmas and a 2-week spring break. Our summer break covers June, July, and most of August. 

What days do you meet?

Our Core Program meets in-person Tuesday-Thursday. Monday Enrichment can be added to the Core Program for a 4-day school week. Monday Enrichment is also available as a stand-alone program for homeschoolers.

What does Monday and Friday look like at home?

Mondays and Fridays are at-home learning days for all Studio Prep students—unless your family opts into our Monday Enrichment Program.

Lower School (Ages 6–13):

  • Students work on their individual badge plans and complete assignments for their Studio classes.
  • Our program uses Google Classroom and email for all class communication. Students are expected to check both platforms on Mondays and Fridays to stay up to date.
  • Parents provide academic support at home as needed, based on their child’s age and ability.
  • Typically, students will have a heavier workload on one of the two at-home days and a lighter one on the other.
  • Once a student completes their weekly goals, families are free to use the remaining time as they choose.

High School:

High school students are expected to complete a full day of academic work on both Mondays and Fridays to stay on track.

Our high school program is designed as a 5-day academic schedule, even though students are only on campus three days a week.

What do you require of parents?

At Studio Prep, we believe education is a shared journey. Our parents sign a covenant to be lifelong learners and to support their children on their own Hero’s Journeys.

Parents are expected to:

  • Support their child’s academic progress at home on Mondays and Fridays, using the customized yearly plan developed at the start of the school year.
  • Maintain a high school transcript for their child, if applicable.
  • Award their child a high school diploma, as students graduate from their family’s homeschool—not from Studio Prep.

Parent involvement is essential to the success of our program and each family is required to complete 25 volunteer hours per school year.
We rely on parent volunteers to:

  • Support and strengthen our community
  • Help around the studio
  • Contribute to fundraising efforts
  • Support special projects throughout the year


Because this includes working in proximity to children, a background check is also required for all parents/guardians. A secure link will be provided upon enrollment.

Are you full?

Please contact info@studioprep.org to find out if there are spots available.

May I hold a place for my future child?

No. You are welcome to do the first steps in our application process at any time. However, please don’t produce your video earlier than six months before the desired start date. Also, shadowing and interviews occur no earlier than six months before the desired start date.

What is your tuition?

Thanks to generous donations, Studio tuition for the 2025-2026 school year is:

LS1 (3rd-4th grade)- $6,000

LS2 (5th-6th grade)- $7,000

LS3 (7th-8th grade)- $8,000

High School: $10,000

Families begin by paying a $1,000 deposit/student, which is applied toward the total tuition cost. The remaining balance can then be paid in one of three ways:

In full (with a 5% discount)

In two installments

In ten monthly installments

For more information please visit our Tuition and Expenses page.

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes! We want Studio Prep to be accessible to students from all economic backgrounds, and we encourage families who need financial assistance to apply.

Need-based scholarships are available to families who have completed the admissions process. While we do not pre-approve scholarships before a student has been admitted, we welcome applications once enrollment is confirmed.

You can find the scholarship application here.

Do I have to get a Chromebook, or can I choose a Mac or other device?

Yes, it has to be a Chromebook. Chromebooks are required because of their ease of use with Google classroom and the ability for Studio staff to monitor and protect students while they use their devices.

"My examples for subtracting negative numbers were not clicking, so the student found his own illustration and shared it with the class. I love that he's working to understand rather than simply following the mechanics."