Two ways a microschool gets paid
If the microschool is accredited, has operated two years and is in the state finder as a school, a TEFA student there is funded at $10,474. If it is only an approved marketplace vendor, or not approved at all, the student is on the $2,000 homeschool tier at most.
Acton's home town
Jeff and Laura Sandefer opened the first Acton Academy in Austin in 2009, and the network now lists more than 300 schools in over 30 countries. In the October 11 finder pull we counted nine Acton campuses and affiliates across East Austin, Northwest Austin, West Austin, Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, Dripping Springs and Spicewood.
Alpha and the 2 Hour Learning schools
Alpha School was co-founded in Austin by MacKenzie Price and uses the 2 Hour Learning software for a short academic block each day. Alpha's own Austin campuses weren't in the finder when we pulled it. Several schools tied to Alpha or built on its two-hour model were, including Texas Sports Academy near Lake Travis, its AIE Elite Prep basketball campus in Round Rock, and GT School in Georgetown. 2 Hour Learning itself is an approved curriculum vendor.
The accreditation snag
Before applications opened, the Houston Chronicle reported that almost 40 Austin private schools accredited only by Cognia had been unable to join while the Comptroller reviewed that accreditor. Rawson Saunders and Alpha School were among those named. Rawson Saunders appeared in the finder by October 11.
Hybrid studios and pods
Three-day programs such as Studio Preparatory, an Acton affiliate, and nature-based pods like Nature Pod Homeschool in Manchaca show up in the finder or the vendor list. Check which one before you count on $10,474 versus $2,000.
Questions to ask a microschool
Are you in the TEFA finder as a school or as a vendor? Who accredits you? Which nationally normed test do your students take each year? How do you bill the July, October and February deposits?
Microschools and hybrid programs in our directory (20)
| School | Type | Community | Grades | TEFA | Students* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acton Academy Austin Main Campus 2201 Alexander Ave, Austin 78722 | Independent & Secular Schools | East Austin | 1-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Acton Academy Dripping Springs 1000 Hays Country Acres Rd, Dripping Springs 78620 | Independent & Secular Schools | Dripping Springs, Driftwood & Wimberley | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Acton Academy Northwest Austin 8508 White Cliff Dr, Austin 78759 | Independent & Secular Schools | North Austin | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Acton Academy West Austin 3423 Bee Cave Rd, Bldg B, West Lake Hills 78746 | Independent & Secular Schools | West Austin & Lake Travis | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Acton Imprimis Lake Travis 5414 Reimers Peacock Rd, Spicewood 78669 | Christian Schools Christian (non-denominational) | West Austin & Lake Travis | K-6 | Not listed | 20 |
| AESA Prep Academy 13730 W Hwy 290, Austin 78737 | Independent & Secular Schools | Dripping Springs, Driftwood & Wimberley | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| AESA Prep International 14101 Canonade Dr, Austin 78737 | Independent & Secular Schools | Dripping Springs, Driftwood & Wimberley | 6-12 | ✓ TEFA | 150 |
| Ascent: An Acton Academy 5701 Cameron Rd, Austin 78723 | Independent & Secular Schools | East Austin | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | 56 |
| Athena Micro-academy of Austin 11819 S IH 35, Austin 78747 | Independent & Secular Schools | South Austin | 6-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Evoke: Acton Academy 13204 Fawn Vly, Cedar Park 78613 | Independent & Secular Schools | Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill & Avery Ranch | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| GT Anywhere 2351 Westinghouse Rd, Georgetown 78626 | Independent & Secular Schools | Georgetown, Jarrell, Taylor & North Williamson | K-8 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| GT School 2351 Westinghouse Rd, Georgetown 78626 | Independent & Secular Schools | Georgetown, Jarrell, Taylor & North Williamson | K-8 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Invictus: An Acton Academy 10000 W State Highway 29, Liberty Hill 78642 | Independent & Secular Schools | Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill & Avery Ranch | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Lake Travis Christian Academy: An Acton Academy 5414 Reimers Peacock Rd, Spicewood 78669 | Christian Schools | West Austin & Lake Travis | PK-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Long-View Micro School 1201 W 24th St., Austin 78705 | Independent & Secular Schools | Central Austin | 2-8 | Not listed | 82 |
| Nature Pod Homeschool 308 Hermosa Dr, Manchaca 78652 | Independent & Secular Schools | South Austin | K-8 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| NextGen Academy 13915 Us 183, Austin 78717 | Independent & Secular Schools | Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill & Avery Ranch | 6-8 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Studio Preparatory: An Acton Affiliate 5925 Dillard Cir, Ste B, Austin 78752 | Christian Schools | East Austin | 2-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Texas Sports Academy 4402 Hudson Bend Rd, Austin 78734 | Independent & Secular Schools | West Austin & Lake Travis | K-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
| Texas Sports Academy: AIE Elite Prep 2001 N Kenney Fort Blvd, Round Rock 78665 | Independent & Secular Schools | Round Rock, Pflugerville & Hutto | 3-12 | ✓ TEFA | — |
* K-12 enrollment reported to the NCES Private School Survey (2023-24 or 2021-22). "Not listed" means the school wasn't in the state TEFA finder when we checked on October 12, 2026.
Next step
Start the short funding check. An advisor will walk you through each source you qualify for and the deadlines that matter for your child.