Welcome.

Our world needs
courageously compassionate
problem-solvers who will
design and lead individual
and collective change.

Compass School students embark on a journey of curiosity, discovery, and learning rooted in research and progressive education principles so that they are ready to create bright futures as their truest, most courageous selves.

Head of School’s Desk

The Compass School exists to help children grow into courageously compassionate young adults. The kind of people who stay curious throughout their lives, who lead equally with their heads and hearts, who can see and solve problems from multiple perspectives.The kind of people who are ready, willing, and able to take on any challenge, because they know the good it will create—for themselves and for the world.

At TCS, we believe in learning as a journey, not a destination.

Inspired by my two decades as a teacher, The Compass School embodies my vision of a student-centered learning environment. I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of nurturing children's natural curiosity.

Our curriculum is crafted to spark a passion for learning, while our progressive approach empowers students to take ownership of their education. We believe in building a strong foundation of knowledge, skills, and learning habits while fostering a love of exploration and inquiry. Grounded in research and real-world experiences, our programs equip students to become confident, critical thinkers and problem-solvers prepared for a lifetime of learning.

We invite you to join a community where curiosity is celebrated, risks are embraced, and the joy of learning is wondrous.

Our goal is to nurture remarkable young people: courageous, compassionate, and curious. By empowering students with voice and choice, we prepare them not only for academic excellence but for a lifetime of creating positive change.

As I reflected on how to welcome our future students, families, educators, and friends to the TCS community, I was reminded of Sir Ken Robinson's words:

“Creativity is putting your imagination to work, and it has produced the most extraordinary results in human culture."

Always Grow,

Geoff Harrison, Founder & Head of School

Curious?
Schedule a 1:1 chat today.

We're eager to introduce you to the world of TCS. Our personalized introductory conversations are designed to give you an overview of our unique educational philosophy. This is your opportunity to ask questions, share your family's aspirations, and learn how TCS can help your child reach their full potential. These one-on-one sessions typically last about 30 minutes.

Belonging—in thought, background, and identity—is key to who we are.

Our educators are trained to incorporate student identities and experiences into the classroom in affirming and uplifting ways. Students engage with local communities throughout the school year.

The Compass School is dedicated to building a faculty and student body that reflect the diversity of Austin. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as members of underrepresented groups.

  • We’re currently developing a permanent location in South Austin to take advantage of all the neighborhood has to offer, including culture, nature, and easy access to MoPac, 290, and I-35.

  • We are excited to announce that we will be enrolling students in our Explorer Class (Kindergarten) and Discovery Class I (Grades 1 and 2) for the 2025-2026 school year.

  • Throughout the TCS experience, our student-teacher ratio maintains at 8:1. In the Explorer Classes (PK and Kindergarten), classrooms have two Anchor Teachers. In the Discovery classrooms (Grades 1 through 6), you’ll find four educators: two Anchor Teachers and two Learning Coaches.

  • The Compass School's individual tuition plan ensures equitable access to an independent school education for all families by employing a proportionally scaled payment plan.

Stay in the loop.
Opening Fall 2025.
Enrolling K-2.

Be the first to hear about our exciting journey and future openings by staying connected!

You can also reach us at connect@thecompassschoolatx.org.

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