Our School Home / About Us / Our School Paragon Prep in Austin, TX At our school, we don’t just teach—we transform how children learn and grow. As one of the best private elementary and middle schools in Austin, we are proud to give your child an experience that no other school can match. Our commitment to exceptional academics and student-centered learning ensures every child is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. We are proud to be fully accredited by Texas Alliance of Accredited Private Schools. Our teachers create a vibrant, supportive space where our students feel safe, excited, and ready to learn. We teach them to be independent and motivated, helping them build a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. Through hands-on activities, exciting lessons, and the latest technology, we prepare your child for the future. Here, your child won’t just meet expectations; they will exceed them. Explore Our Curriculum Address 7944 Great Northern Boulevard Austin, TX 78757 Phone (513) 654-9100 Hours M-F 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM Grades Pre-K — 8th Grade Summer Camp Our Mission Master Core Knowledge We help our students learn reading, composition, mathematics, history, citizenship, logic, and science. These are the building blocks for more advanced concepts in high school and beyond. Learn to Think Logically and Independently We teach our students to solve problems, share their ideas, and feel proud of their work. Our teachers encourage students to develop their academic confidence by requiring thoughtful oral and written answers and carefully written essays. Be Honest, Kind, and Respectful We expect our students to show honesty by completing their own work. They must also respect the opinions and values of others around them. Use Learning in Real Life Our students can apply the skills and concepts that they learn in practical, hands-on ways. For example, they can play games about building a country or pretend to be investors in a stock market game. From Our Award-Winning Head of School Lindsay Hay Dear Future Paragon Prep Family, Every morning at drop-off, before the school day begins, something small happens that I think tells you everything: kids chase chickens across the playground. Our kindergartners hatched those chickens from eggs earlier this year. They watched them in the incubator, named them, and now they help put them back in the coop before heading to class. It takes about two minutes, and it is completely joyful — which is exactly what I want this school to be. We have a motto we live by: Work Hard. Play Hard. Be Kind. They’re simple words, but I mean all three equally. The “work hard” part is real. Our curriculum is TEKS-aligned from Pre-K through 8th grade, and 92% of our students score above the national average for independent schools on the CTP, with 100% of graduates accepted to their high school of choice. Students who are ready can take Algebra I as early as 6th grade. We also compete in Math Counts, Math Olympiad, Science Olympiad, First Lego League Robotics, and more, because we think academic confidence is built by being tested, not just taught. We teach public speaking in every grade. By eighth grade, nearly every graduate wants to give a speech at the ceremony — no surprise, we’ve been building those muscles since they were seven! And our teachers hold themselves to the same standard we hold our students. Most have advanced degrees, and several are working on them right now. We have a certified strength and conditioning coach and a yoga instructor on staff, both trained specifically to work with children. Professional development here centers on one question: how do we deliver high-level academics in a way that inspires a lifelong love of learning? The “play hard” part is serious, too. Every student, 1st through 8th grade, belongs to a multi-grade College (think Hogwarts Houses), but with real academic and athletic competitions all year, culminating in a crowning ceremony where even the second-place trophy is deliberately ridiculous. We’ve been doing this since the nineties. It’s silly and competitive in equal measure, and kids genuinely care about it. Eighty-five percent of our middle schoolers play school sports, and our 34 electives and clubs mean that every student has a real chance to find their thing. The “be kind” part shows up in how we move through the world beyond campus. In sixth grade, every student takes a world cultures class where they visit the places of worship of six major world religions — three in one day, three the next. The goal is to find common ground without pretending the differences away. That’s a skill I don’t think you can teach in a classroom alone. Our annual service projects — Coats for Kids and Mobile Loaves & Fishes — connect students to their Austin community in ways that stick. And our class trips go to Washington D.C., Big Bend, Costa Rica, and New York City, among others. (No parents on those trips. I’m the mom. I make sure everyone has their sweatshirt.) What I can tell you, as someone who has been doing this for a long time, is that the thing parents notice first, the thing that keeps them here, is that their kids actually want to come to school. That’s not a small thing. If any of this sounds like what you’ve been looking for, I’d love to show you around. Come see us. Sincerely, Lindsay Hay, M.Ed. Head of School Paragon Prep, Austin, TX Read how Lindsay was named Head of School of the Year by Education Insider! Read More Frequently Asked Questions What are the hours of operation at Paragon Prep? During the school year, our staff offices are open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Summer office hours are 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Academic start and dismissal times are structured by grade level: Start Times: Pre-K through 3rd Grade: 8:00 am 4th through 8th Grade: 8:15 am Dismissal Times: Pre-K through 3rd Grade: 3:00 pm 4th and 5th Grade: 3:35 pm 6th through 8th Grade: 3:45 pm After care: until 6:00 pm What is Paragon Prep’s dress code? Paragon Prep is not a uniformed school. We maintain a specific dress code that establishes clear, appropriate expectations for student attire while allowing families and students a degree of personal expression within those boundaries. Can children who are not enrolled join Paragon Prep camps? Yes. We are proud to welcome children from across the Austin community to our camps. Summer camps are open to all children regardless of enrollment status, a wonderful opportunity for new families to experience the Paragon Prep community firsthand. Holiday break camps may be reserved for currently enrolled students depending on availability, so we encourage interested families to inquire early. What is the best private middle school in Austin? Paragon Prep offers something more complete than a standalone middle school, a seamless Pre-K through 8th grade education in which the middle school years are the intentional culmination of an academic journey that began years earlier. Students arrive at 6th grade already formed by the Paragon Prep culture, the Paragon Prep expectations, and the relationships with educators who have watched them grow. We are proud to be recognized by Niche as one of the best private schools in Austin, and prouder still of what our graduates carry forward when they leave. Which Austin private school best prepares students for the future? Paragon Prep is built for the world students are actually entering, one that rewards not just academic knowledge, but the ability to think critically, communicate clearly, collaborate effectively, and solve problems that have no predetermined answer. From Pre-K through 8th grade, these capacities are developed intentionally alongside rigorous academic content, producing graduates who are not simply prepared for high school, but prepared for what comes next. What are the benefits of full-day kindergarten? Full-day kindergarten gives children the time to go deeper, deeper into the curriculum, deeper into the friendships that shape who they become, and deeper into the personal confidence that comes from genuinely mastering something. At Paragon Prep, kindergarten is not simply a longer version of half-day school. It is a richer experience: more hands-on learning, more space for questions, more opportunity to build the academic foundation that 1st grade and everything after it will stand on. This is where the Paragon Prep journey truly begins. Learn more about our elementary curriculum. What are the benefits of private school? At Paragon Prep, the benefits of private school show up not in abstract promises but in concrete, memorable experiences that shape who students become. Every month, students venture into Austin itself — to the Thinkery, the Paramount Theatre, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and beyond — because we believe the city is part of the curriculum and learning does not stop at the classroom door. Our class sizes are small enough that teachers know every student by name, by learning style, and by what challenges them. And by the time a Paragon Prep student graduates, 99% carry at least one high school credit, a head start that reflects not a single program or test, but the sustained academic rigor of an entire Paragon Prep education. Explore other unique opportunities Only At Paragon Prep. What qualifications do teachers at Paragon Prep hold? At Paragon Prep, students learn from an exceptionally credentialed faculty where every teacher holds either a teaching certificate with a Bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate degree paired with real-world industry experience. This unique combination ensures that educators have not only mastered their subjects but have also lived them. Our staff is highly distinguished, with 11 teachers holding Master’s degrees and one holding a Doctorate. Beyond these impressive credentials, our faculty members are driven by a genuine passion for children and learning, bringing both deep expertise and heart into the classroom every day. How does Paragon Prep invest in its teachers’ ongoing growth? At Paragon Prep, we believe teacher growth directly fuels student success, which is why professional development is a daily priority rather than an annual event. Through our partnership with Spring Education Group, faculty access a robust program focused on leadership and refining their instructional craft. By constantly evolving and stretching their skills, our teachers model the same lifelong learning and adaptability we expect from our students. Do you have long-standing faculty and staff at Paragon Prep? One of the defining features of Paragon Prep is the remarkable stability of our team. Our Head of School has been a cornerstone of the community since 2011, and that long-term commitment extends across our entire faculty and staff. Most of our educators bring five or more years of experience specifically at Paragon, ensuring that students are greeted by teachers who deeply understand our culture and values. This continuity allows our staff to truly embody what it means to be a “Paragon Knight.” Even as we grow, we are intentional about maintaining these high standards, carefully selecting new team members who are not only highly qualified but also fully invested in the long-term success of our students. What makes teachers at Paragon Prep exceptional? Teachers at Paragon Prep are exceptional because they combine high-level credentials, including 12 advanced degrees, with real-world industry experience. This expertise is sustained by a culture of continuous growth, where professional development ensures our faculty never stops learning. With a majority of the staff serving for five or more years, this stability creates a deep-rooted understanding of our community and values. In our small classes, this translates to a mentorship model where every teacher knows each child’s name, strengths, and needs, ensuring every student is both challenged and celebrated.
