My name is Sarah Pevehouse and my business name is Apogee Dripping Springs
Where are you originally from and how long have you lived in the area?
I am originally from Idamay, WV. This is my 2nd time living in Dripping Springs – we moved back in March 2021. The first time we lived here was in 2018 when my husband first retired from the USMC after 25yrs of active duty.
Tell us about your business.
Apogee Dripping Springs is a pioneering micro high school set to launch this fall, uniquely tailored to transform how we approach secondary education in our community. Our mission is to bridge traditional academics with vital life skills, ensuring that each student is not only prepared academically but also equipped to face real-world challenges after graduation.
The foundation of our program is a commitment to creating a learner-driven environment where education extends beyond textbooks. Our curriculum incorporates project-based learning, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and community involvement. This approach allows students to engage with real-world issues, fostering a deep sense of responsibility and initiative.
We also place a strong emphasis on developing emotional intelligence and financial literacy, skills essential for personal success and leadership. By integrating local professionals and experts into our learning model, students gain exposure to multiple perspectives and career paths, enriching their educational experience.
I founded this school to encourage students to explore their passions and prepare for a successful transition into adulthood. It’s about building a community where education is viewed as a dynamic journey, not just a destination. No standardized tests – ever. Students will complete self-assessments and peer assessments for their grades.
What brought you to open your business? What did you do previously?
Starting Apogee Dripping Springs was born from realizing that no existing program aligned with what I envisioned for my daughter’s high school education. As a parent, my priority is to ensure that any educational environment not only promotes academic excellence but also nurtures character, resilience, and real-world readiness. As I explored the options within our community, it became clear that most programs didn’t fully address my two main concerns: 1) preparing students to be confident and capable adults when they leave home. 2) Not compromising our family values for the sake of education.
Prior to founding Apogee Dripping Springs, I was deeply involved in Waldorf education, having served as an over-volunteering parent, board member, teacher, enrollment director, and administrator since 2015. My experiences in these roles have shaped my approach to education.
Initially, I embarked on creating a high school program called Mission Heights High School, driven by a passion to offer an educational experience that resonated with my values. I even established a 501(c)(3) organization, Mission Heights Education, to manage grants and donations supporting our educational efforts. As I delved deeper, about six months into development, the potential of being part of a like-minded community became apparent. Thus, I joined the Apogee Affiliate program, which aligned closely with my mission.
This transition into the Apogee network has been transformative, offering robust support through connections with other educators who share a commitment to empowering parents and revolutionizing education. This network enriches our program by enabling all parents to participate in men’s and women’s mentorship programs, underscoring the importance of continuous personal growth and learning as lifelong endeavors. We aim to model these values for our students, emphasizing that education isn’t just about academic achievement—it’s about developing as leaders in our homes and communities and actively engaging in our children’s educational journeys.
What do you enjoy most about being an education entrepreneur?
What I love the most about being an education entrepreneur is the boundless creative and flexible scope it offers. This role allows me to innovate and adapt freely and empowers me to extend that same creative freedom to my students, fostering an environment where they can explore and express their unique talents and interests without the constraints typically found in traditional educational settings. The second thing I love is partnering with local businesses, professionals, and experts. I’ve always dreamed of doing something like this, but most educational institutions are far too rigid to honor that learning happens everywhere, and students learn by doing. Getting them out of the classroom and inviting others into the classroom is good for everyone involved.
What makes you unique?
What makes me unique isn’t just my role as an education entrepreneur; it’s deeply intertwined with my life experiences and personal journey. I’m married to a veteran who served 25 years in the Marines, an experience that has profoundly shaped our family’s values and resilience. While living in Japan, I gave birth to our first daughter and a few years later ran a marathon while four months pregnant with our second daughter, a testament to my belief in pushing limits and setting ambitious goals. Growing up in a small town in West Virginia, where my great-grandmother served me breakfast at school, my aunt Sharon was my teacher, and my dad drove the school bus, I experienced a close-knit community that valued every individual’s contribution. Today, as a mother of a vaccine-injured child, I am a staunch advocate for medical freedom, driven to ensure that parents have a voice in their children’s health. This blend of personal resilience, community values, and advocacy for freedom fuels my mission at Apogee Dripping Springs, making our approach to education as unique as my own story.
Can you tell a few things you offer?
Our core program runs Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with an optional enrichment day on Fridays. We employ a thematic teaching approach and project-based learning to engage students deeply and meaningfully. Some of our exciting themes include “What’s Your Code?” which explores medieval times through various lenses, and “Being the CEO of Your Life,” focusing on essential life skills for independence.
Another theme, “Health Equals Wealth,” dives into health and wellness, emphasizing the importance of maintaining physical and mental health as integral parts of personal success. During our “CEO” theme, students have the unique opportunity to enhance their culinary skills with weekly trips to a culinary studio in Austin called Bake Austin, where they learn baking and cooking.
To ensure a rich and varied learning experience, we’ve partnered with local businesses such as STOIC JJ for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Second Wave Crossfit for physical wellness, Moolah U for financial education, and Innovation Treehouse for STEM and robotics projects. These partnerships allow us to offer a curriculum that is not only academically rigorous but also practically applicable, preparing students for real-world challenges and opportunities.
At the end of each academic year we will take a trip away and immerse ourselves as a group in a unique experience that will be both physically and mentally challenging like a Rites of Passage experience or in the USMC they would call it a Crucible. This will be the culmination of our time together at the end of each school year.
What is your favorite part about what you do?
Rudolf Steiner said that when you are working with children you are working with the future. I like to think that everything I am doing will ultimately contribute to the world being a better place once student at a time. When I was an enrollment director at a Waldorf School in VA I used to tell people, “My gift to my children is a Waldorf education, and my gift to the world is a Waldorf educated child.” And I truly believed that and now that my own daughter is ready for high school I can see that even Waldorf has some gaps that will not fully prepare her for the unknown world she is entering. None of us can guess what the world will be like in 10 years or beyond. But I do know that having foundational skills in taking care of oneself, having a well-rounded character, and making local connections to your community will never be useless. I feel so lucky to be able to help these teens prepare for the real challenges of life. f
What does the future look like for you and your business?
The future of Apogee Dripping Springs looks vibrant and full of potential. My vision is to establish a cornerstone for alternative education in our community, not just as a place of learning but as a hub for community engagement and personal development for students and their parents. As we evolve, I aim to expand our partnerships with local businesses and professionals, enhancing our curriculum and providing our students with even more unique and rich experiences.
What advice would you give to others that want to start something new?
If you’re thinking of starting something new, my advice would be to embrace the entire journey as a learning opportunity. Balancing your passion with practicality is also critical. Make sure there is a genuine need for what you’re offering and that you have a clear plan for your financial pathway. Focus on creating value that resonates with your intended audience, as this will sustain your project in the long run.
Any advice for juggling all the things in daily life?
You have to run your personal life like it’s your business. Host family meetings and marriage meetings each week. Never stop dating your spouse. Pause and pray. Always be grateful.
Interviews featuring our program:https://bit.ly/3V4RP8o
Podcast Episode: https://bit.ly/3V4RP8o
News-Dispatch Article: https://bit.ly/44QbWdU
Website: www.apogeedrippingsprings.com
***To book a tour or call: https://apogeedrippingsprings.com/contact
Upcoming events:
When: June 8th and July 20th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Where: Dripping Springs Presbyterian Church
Please join us for this is a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the educational experiences we are crafting for our inaugural year.
Our community partners, who are instrumental in enriching our program, will be joining us to share insights into their contributions and alignment with our mission:
- Chef Pascal Simon from Bake Austin will talk about integrating culinary arts into our curriculum, offering students hands-on experience in baking and cooking.
- Stoic JJ will introduce the discipline and skills behind Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, highlighting the character-building aspects of martial arts.
- CrossFit Second Wave, led by coach Matt Lodin & Owner Bryan Kapustinski, will discuss the importance of physical wellness and strength training in developing healthy, active lifestyles.
- Innovation Treehouse will outline their role in fostering a love for STEM and robotics, creating a space for innovative and creative projects.
- MoolahU’s CEO, Gayle Reaume, will present the Innovative approaches and hands-on experience their program provides in budgeting, saving, earning, and investing.
I will also present our plan for the first year, detailing our session themes, and explaining the mission of our program. We encourage everyone to arrive on time as this is a structured event.
After the presentations, please enjoy some light refreshments and an interactive Q&A session. This will be a fantastic chance to meet our partners, ask questions, and see how these collaborations will benefit our students.
Please RSVP to confirm your attendance as we prepare to welcome you and share this exciting journey. We look forward to meeting you and discussing how Apogee Dripping Springs is setting the stage for a transformative educational experience.