Frequently Asked Questions

What is the academic role of the parent at Sterling?

The parent serves as teacher-at-home for grades K-3 and gradually transitions to the role of mentor as the student becomes increasingly more independent in grades 4-12. In the lower grades, the parent truly is a teacher and, therefore, is expected to become familiar with the curriculum and basic teaching techniques.

On which days will my child attend class at Sterling?

Students in K-4th grades attend classes on Tuesday and Thursday with optional Campus Days offered on Mondays & Wednesdays. Students in 5th-8th grades attend classes on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday with an optional Campus Day offered on Wednesdays.  Students in 9th-12th grades attend classes Monday through Thursday.

What are the class sizes?

The student/teacher ratio is 14/1 for Kindergarten. First grade and above is targeted at a maximum of 16 students.

What are the "academic standards?"

The academic standards for all "core" classes meet or exceed the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) standards.

How do I know what to teach each week?

Classroom teachers teach the key objectives in class and assign reinforcement or application activities to be completed at home. Weekly lesson plans for both the classroom and the satellite classroom (the home) are available via our online school management system (Ren Web) prior to the beginning of each school week. The at-home teacher is encouraged to print off plans for the week and to prepare for the assignments in advance.

Is testing required of my child?

Yes, every student accepted into Sterling in grades 3 and above is required to take our standardized testing in the spring or submit scores from a similar, recently administered standardized test.

How will I communicate with my child's teacher throughout the year?

Communication is the key to success at Sterling. Teachers communicate weekly with parents via email and are available for phone calls & in-person meetings upon request.

Do you allow parents to register for classes in an "a la carte" manner?

Grades K-4th are inclusive which means the student is required to take all four core classes, but electives are optional. In 5th-12th grades, the parent may register for specific classes with a minimum of 2 core classes. The classes must be consecutive, or if not, the student must be picked up or registered for the study hall option.

What if I do not want my child to take an elective(s)?

Electives are optional. Students are not allowed to be unsupervised, so a student will need to be enrolled in study hall for the elective block between core classes, or picked up by the parent, which is required for the last elective block of the day.

Do students wear uniforms?

Yes, students (K-12) wear uniforms purchased through Lands' End. You can find our preferred school number on our website under Quick Links-Uniform Policy. 

Where do I find the books my child will need for class?

It is the parent’s responsibility to secure all of the books on the required list by the first day of school. Please order early to ensure the appropriate arrival date. A comprehensive book list for enrolled students will be provided in May/June for the upcoming school year. Parents are free to find the books through any vendor, providing the ISBN and edition is a perfect match. You may also purchase books from other parents through our private Facebook group.

Does Sterling participate in sports?

Yes, we are a member of the ACAA (Austin Christian Athletic Association) and compete with other area private schools. Students in 4th through 12th grades are eligible to play. For our older athletes we are part of the T-Cal association for sports.

What options are available for paying tuition?

We offer a couple of discount options when paid by a certain deadline each year.  For those families that wish to divide their payments we have two options available through FACTS tuition management. There is a two-payment option which drafts two equal payments in April and October, or an eleven-payment option with payments beginning in April and ending the following February. Parents must use FACTS for all payment options other than payment in full.  If a student is enrolled after April, tuition will be divided by the remaining months in the cycle.

How much time will be required of the student on a typical day at home?