The Blanco River Academy is launching enrollment for its 2024-2025 school year with an open house on January 26 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Now in its 10th year, the non-profit school for students in Upper Elementary through eighth grade now accommodates older students in a Hybrid High School program and a flexible Part-Time Academy. The faculty and staff invite interested parents and their children to attend the open house to learn more. Private appointments and tours are also available.
“We understand that education is not a “onesize- fits-all” endeavor. For students seeking a more individualized, hands-on, ‘learningwith- a-purpose’ approach, the Academy nurtures a lifelong love of learning,” said Kristie Kimball, Blanco River Academy’s Head of School, in a recent interview. “Each year we realize more of our mission which is to provide a well-rounded education that goes beyond the textbook. Our curriculum integrates arts, sciences and real- world experiences so that students develop essential life skills as well as a deep sense of community and the responsibilities of environmental stewardship.” Kimball holds a Ph.D, a masters degree in Public Affairs, as well as a Master of Science degree in Social Work.
Since its inaugural school year in 2015, the Academy has focused many of its hands-on learning experiences on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math classes. With the Blue Hole Park just steps away from the campus, students are in the “outdoor” classroom multiple times a day. For the third year in a row, students have participated in a Texas A & M grant-funded Citizen Scientist Program in which they collect soil, water and air samples at Blue Hole Park, Jacob’s Well, and Patsy Glenn Refuge.
Students learn other subjects such as computer coding, Spanish, choir, music, speech, debate, drama, environmental studies and archery, and participate in strength, conditioning and physical exercise such as yoga, cross country running and tennis.
Field trips introduce them to a variety of experiences like the Bob Bullock and Blanton Museums in Austin, the Johnson City Science Mill, Karst Canyon, San Antonio’s historic Missions, Canyon Lake Gorge, Pedernales Falls, as well as the trails of Blue Hole Park.
This year, BRAc’s upper grades will be traveling to SEACAMP San Diego for five days of hands-on lessons in marine science. The lower grades will travel to the Texas coast for similar lessons with the University of Texas Marine Science Institute.
A commitment to sustainability and watershed protection is woven into all aspects of the school’s curriculum and campus life with active recycling, gardening, aquaponics projects and environmental studies. In 2023, the School began a partnership with the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association. According to the school’s website, “BRAc is looking forward to all the ways in which the two organizations can collaborate to be a model of environmental stewardship, education, and inspired action.”
The academy also organizes the Blanco River Songwriters Festival to fund their tuition assistance program. Fifty to 70 percent of students receive some amount of assistance each year.
The Blanco River Academy is located at 501 Old Kyle Road, Building 2, Suite F at the intersection of FM3237 and Old Kyle Road. For more information, go to blancoriveracademy. org or call
512 842-9222.
