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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →No. Ad Astra School’s admissions page currently says admissions are closed. The application announcement behind the headline was for the 2024–25 school year, with a September 1, 2024 deadline—not a current application window.
What happened to Ad Astra’s applications?
On August 3, 2024, the San Antonio Express-News reported that Ad Astra was accepting applications for the fall. The school’s July 31, 2024 announcement, reproduced in that report, specified the 2024–2025 school year; the reported deadline was September 1, 2024.
The school’s admissions page now says admissions are closed and describes its inaugural class as launching in 2025. The available information does not establish a new application date or whether another admissions cycle is planned.
What is Ad Astra School?
Ad Astra is a private school in unincorporated Bastrop County, Texas. The Texas Tribune located it near FM 969 and Earhardt Road, about 45 minutes from downtown Austin. Its January 2025 report said the site was less than five minutes from Elon Musk’s corporate compound. The reporting describes the school’s connection to Musk through funding and related nonprofit or corporate structures; it does not establish that Musk personally runs the school.
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Do not confuse this Bastrop school with the earlier California school history or Astra Nova, a separate online-school name. The headline’s application news concerned Ad Astra School in Texas.
Who were the age groups and places for?
Ad Astra’s admissions page lists two age bands and school-published capacities and ratios:
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| Program | Ages listed | Capacity listed | Teacher-student ratio listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 3–6 | 18 students | 12:1 or better |
| Lower Elementary | 6–9 | 30 students | 1:15 or better |
These are figures published by the school, not independent measurements of current enrollment or staffing. Separately, the Texas Tribune reported in January 2025 that the school’s permit indicated capacity for 21 students in its then-current form. That permit figure reflects a different source and context from the program capacities on the admissions page; neither figure establishes how many students are enrolled now.
What does the school teach, and is it Montessori?
The Texas Tribune’s January 2025 account described the curriculum, based on school materials it reviewed, as hands-on and project-based. For children ages 3–6, the materials included language, math, geometry, history, geography, science, technology, music, art, physical education, social and emotional concepts, and practical tasks such as sweeping, buttoning and folding clothes.
Ad Astra said it was not a Montessori school. The Tribune noted that some curriculum elements resembled Montessori components. Jai Brisbon, executive director of Texas Education and Advocacy for Montessori, said, “But the buckets are in alignment with the albums that you would receive in your Montessori training.” She was referring to notes Montessori teachers take during certification. The report also said Brisbon considered the curriculum materials insufficiently detailed to determine whether the program met Montessori best practices.
What is known about tuition and the school day?
The school’s admissions page discusses subsidized tuition for 2024–25, not a current price. The subsidy description covered year-round instruction from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., an afternoon program from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., snacks, enrichment activities, school materials and registration fees. The page said future tuition would be in line with local private schools that include extended-day programming and that demonstrated financial need would be considered. It does not provide a current tuition quote.
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The Texas Tribune also reported in January 2025 that tuition after 2024–25 was unclear. Its mention of Austin-area Montessori programs costing around $20,000 annually was a comparison, not Ad Astra’s tuition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What operational details were reported?
The Texas Tribune reported that Ad Astra had been approved as a licensed child-care program in November, and that the Texas Education Agency had no more information because the school was private. The school application described in the article indicated daily snacks but no full meals or transportation. These details reflect the records and reporting available at the time; they do not confirm current policies or services.
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During the Tribune’s January 2025 visit, a security guard told reporters that students were enrolled and classes had started. That was an observation reported at that time, not confirmation of present-day operations. The available sources do not establish current enrollment, tuition, meal or transportation arrangements, or a future admissions cycle.
What families should verify before budgeting or applying
Because the admissions page says applications are closed and the available tuition information is historical, families should contact the school directly for current availability and costs rather than relying on the 2024 announcement. When evaluating Ad Astra or another school, confirm the details that affect both fit and household budget:
Quick Recap
- Whether applications are open, the eligible ages, and any deadline.
- Total tuition and fees, financial-aid terms, and what the quoted price includes.
- School-day and after-school hours, plus whether meals and transportation are offered.
- Current class capacity and staffing arrangements.
- Curriculum and any applicable licensing or accreditation status.
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