City As Classroom

The nine buildings on our River Campus are home to our Middle and High School programs. We are blocks from the State Capitol, City Hall, Shoal Creek, Waller Creek, Lake Austin, and the business district, and close to a variety of parks, museums, and cultural sites.

We take full advantage of our location. Through our City As Classroom initiative, we aim to be deeply integrated with civic, tech, environmental, and service opportunities in the community, reaching far beyond the walls of our schools. This “local to global” approach puts learning in an expanding context and encourages students to use observation, research, and reason to explore problems that matter to us, our community, and the world.

City As Classroom  Engagement Can Take a Variety of Forms: Whole class experiences, such as trips to the Blanton, sites of African American history, Green Gate Farms, Mexic-Arte, and Barton Springs University. We also venture into our neighborhood to make art, use the resources at the Central Library, enjoy parks, and eat at food trucks. Self-driven individual experiences where students attend UT lectures and concerts, intern at the Capital Factory, undertake local ethnographies, or participate in service work. Deep discussion and problem-solving about Austin, cities, and urban issues inside the classroom, and welcoming local community members and organizations to campus.

International Programs

We believe real-world learning happens when students step beyond the classroom and into the world. We want students to experience history, language, and culture not just from a textbook, but through personal exploration and meaningful connection. Whether it’s walking through the ruins of ancient Rome, cooking paella with a Spanish host family, or reflecting at a memorial in Cambodia, our students grow into global thinkers—curious, empathetic, and ready to make an impact.

International experiences are deeply connected to our mission and the International Baccalaureate (IB) MYP and Diploma Programmes, which encourage inquiry, intercultural understanding, and meaningful engagement with the world.

Upcoming Trips

We’re proud to offer immersive international travel opportunities that are designed to deepen understanding, build empathy, and bring learning to life. Each trip is crafted to connect directly with what students are learning in class, while offering unforgettable moments of discovery, challenge, and connection. 

Cambodia and Vietnam IB History in Action: Global Conflict, Identity and Empathy March 2027 On our annual field study to Southeast Asia, we invite you to explore the impact of global conflict and memory through historical sites, cultural landmarks, and guided reflection. You’ll visit memorials and engage with living history that connects directly to your IB studies—building insight, compassion, and perspective that lasts a lifetime.

Fine Arts

In our fine arts program, students develop skills in creative problem solving, learn to practice their craft with dedication, and give voice to their thoughts, ideas, and feelings about the world.

All High School fine arts programs culminate in a two-year IB program designed to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your craft and hone your artistic voice.