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St. George’s Episcopal School: 60 Years of Nurturing

St. George’s Episcopal School celebrates six decades of providing a joyful environment in which preschoolers can learn and grow.

This content was created in partnership with Thinkery.

On any given day in Mueller, curiosity is everywhere. Children test ideas, ask questions, and discover on their own. Long before benchmarks or career paths appear, these moments shape how children think, solve problems, and begin to see themselves as capable learners.

At Thinkery, curiosity is the starting point for every experience.

Located in the heart of Mueller and welcoming families from across the Austin area, Thinkery is a hands-on children’s museum where learning happens through play. Children move from tinkering with simple machines in the Innovators’ Workshop to exploring light and color in the Light Lab. Each experience is designed to spark imagination, encourage exploration, and make learning fun and meaningful.

STEAM Learning

Through play-based STEAM learning, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, children engage with these disciplines as connected ways of thinking rather than separate subjects. They investigate the world around them, use technology to design and test ideas, apply engineering principles to hands-on challenges, express ideas creatively, and use math to reason and solve problems.

We do not teach subjects in isolation,” says Alexa Clavijo, Senior Play & Learning Manager at Thinkery. “STEAM is a mindset. It is about creativity, problem solving, and making connections to real life.”

Thinkery’s exhibits and programs invite children to take risks, ask questions, and learn through trial and error. Spaces are intentionally designed so every child feels welcome and empowered. Children work with real tools, including scissors, cardboard cutters, robotics kits, and circuit blocks, transforming ideas into tangible creations and building confidence as they learn how things work.

Play Builds Skills for Life

Play is not a break from learning. It is how learning happens. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play supports physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development while strengthening executive function and problem-solving skills. Research from LEGO Education shows that hands-on learning is more engaging and effective than traditional instruction.

When adults encourage curiosity through play, children practice decision making, collaboration, communication, and adaptability. These skills extend far beyond childhood and remain valuable no matter how technology or careers evolve. At Thinkery, play is the foundation for developing these lifelong abilities.

Balancing Exploration and Structure

Finding the right balance between open-ended exploration and guided learning can be a challenge for caregivers. At Thinkery, the two work together. Open-ended experiences allow children to follow their interests, while educator guidance, thoughtful prompts, and intentionally designed spaces deepen learning.

Caregivers are encouraged to participate by observing, narrating, and extending play at home. These shared experiences strengthen family connections and reinforce the idea that learning can be enjoyable, ongoing, and accessible.

Learning for Every Child

Thinkery primarily serves children from birth through age 11, but its play-based approach supports a wide range of learners. Children engage at their own pace, develop social and cognitive skills, and learn alongside peers. Neurodivergent children and those with different learning styles are encouraged to follow their interests and take the lead in their learning experiences.

Supporting Families and Educators

Caregivers are essential partners in learning, and Thinkery offers a welcoming space beyond home and school where families can play and learn together. Recognizing that play is learning helps relieve the pressure to create perfect activities. Simple moments, like stacking blocks or exploring balance, support language development and strengthen family bonds.

Thinkery also extends its impact through the STEAM Learning Institute, which partners with educators, researchers, and community organizations to study play-based, child-centered learning. This work supports professional development and brings innovative, inclusive approaches to classrooms and learning spaces across Central Texas.

At Thinkery, every visit invites children to explore, invent, and learn. The 40,000-square-foot museum offers hands-on exhibits and other programs, including family nights, field trips, and birthday celebrations. As part of the LEGO Playful Learning Museum Network, Thinkery draws on global research to ensure experiences remain engaging and relevant for all children.

Visit Thinkery in Mueller to explore exhibits, join programs, and celebrate learning through play. To learn more about Thinkery memberships, which include free general admission, exclusive benefits, and flexible options for families of any size, visit www.thinkeryaustin.org.

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Just a few blocks outside Mueller, tucked into the far end of Cherrywood, St. George’s Episcopal School is celebrating 60 years of nurturing young hearts and minds, a milestone few early childhood programs manage to reach. Known for its play-based curriculum, vibrant sense of community, and commitment to inclusivity, St. George’s has become a treasured cornerstone for several generations of families. But to understand the full scope of its impact, we have to go back to where it all began with a surplus army chapel and a visionary priest.

In 1950, Bishop John Hines saw potential where others might have seen a pile of lumber. His young congregation had just acquired land in what was then a remote part of North Austin. When he learned that Camp Swift, a decommissioned military base in Bastrop, was selling surplus buildings, he made a bold move. He purchased and relocated a small army chapel. That chapel became the foundation of St. George’s Episcopal Church.

As the parish community grew, so too did its ministry. Among the earliest and most enduring expressions of that spirit was the formation of a preschool in 1966. Founded by Nora Garcia Loran, the school was one of the first initiatives to grow from the church’s mission. Loran brought a unique perspective shaped by her work in England’s wartime playschools, where she learned that play wasn’t a break from learning. It actually was learning.

Loran’s idea resonated deeply with parents and parishioners alike. The school began modestly, with just a few classrooms and a handful of families, all pitching in to get things off the ground. But it quickly blossomed into something more. By the late 1970s, enrollment had expanded to include infants through pre-K, and the demand for space and staff prompted a long-term partnership with the church to share facilities. The school now serves more than 120 families each year, welcoming children as young as six months old and offering a beloved summer camp for kids through first grade.

Nurturing the Whole Child

At the heart of the enduring success of St. George’s is its unwavering commitment to nurturing the whole child—mind, body, and spirit. That vision is now shepherded by Head of School Jerri Thompson, M.Ed., who took the reins in 2014. Under her leadership, St. George’s earned its prestigious 4-star Texas Rising Star designation and full accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), benchmarks that speak to the school’s excellence in curriculum, safety, and professional development.

But Thompson’s most visible legacy is the school’s extraordinary nature playground. This 30,000-square-foot outdoor learning environment is designed to stimulate all five senses. More than just a place to burn off energy, the nature playground is the centerpiece of a curriculum rooted in discovery and independence. Here, children climb, dig, build, and explore in ways that support and foster emotional growth and confidence. It’s the kind of space where a child can safely take risks, make choices, and learn to navigate the world, all in a day’s play.

“Our curriculum is built around the developmental milestones of each age,” says Thompson. “Every classroom is designed to meet the needs of the children within it, from infants just beginning to explore the world to pre-K students preparing for kindergarten. It’s about recognizing that every child is a gift, and it’s our job to unlock their natural curiosity.”

High Standards for Staff

This philosophy extends beyond the students to the faculty and families as well. Every classroom has both a lead and assistant teacher, exceeding state requirements and ensuring individualized attention. Lead teachers must hold a Child Development associate’s degree and have at least three years of classroom experience. Staff are encouraged to pursue continuing education and supported in reaching that goal.

“It’s hard to put into words how much effort our teachers pour into each day,” says Thompson. “Many of our students are with us from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. That’s a full day for anyone, let alone for a toddler who’s still learning how to use the bathroom or express their emotions. Our teachers are creative, patient, and tireless. They’re teaching kids how to be in the world.”

As St. George’s looks to the future, the school is focused on expanding both its physical footprint and its community impact. Short-term goals include growing the alumni network and strengthening partnerships with community organizations like SAFE Alliance. Plans are also underway to broaden the school’s programming by adding year-round kindergarten classes and upgrading facilities to support that growth, all while maintaining its hallmark quality and spirit.

A Place of Joy

Even with all its accolades and ambitions, what makes St. George’s truly unique is something quieter and deeper: the sense of belonging it offers to everyone who walks through its doors. Rooted in the inclusive values of the Episcopal tradition, St. George’s welcomes families of all backgrounds, faiths, and cultures, a reflection of Austin’s evolving landscape and the school’s commitment to serving as a place of joy and transformation.

As it celebrates its 60th anniversary, St. George’s is looking forward to a future with purpose and hope. It’s reaffirming its commitment to nurturing not just children, but families, educators, and community partnerships. And in doing so, it continues to honor the vision found in a relocated army chapel all those years ago: that with love, faith, and opportunities to learn, children will grow and thrive.