Education
Reimagined

Our Mission

Rifugio Austin is a holistic project-based school currently serving students ages 4.5 to 9 years old continuing on until 5th grade. From inspiration and first-hand experience of the Rifugios in the Italian Alps, Ariana DiNielli and Sofia Gamba wanted to build that same refuge & warmth that each Rifugio provided from the natural elements. Rifugio Austin is built upon that experience, and the school environment is that of a safe and nurturing space where children will feel at home.

our mission

What Is A micro-school?

A MODERN DAY ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE

A micro-school is a small, personalized educational institution that typically serves a maximum of 50 students. Micro-schools prioritize individualized attention & hands-on learning experiences over traditional classroom instruction.

One of the main benefits of micro-schools is that they allow for a more tailored approach to education. Because class sizes are small and guides are able to work closely with students, it is often easier for them to identify and address individual needs & learning styles.

What Is The Rifugio
Austin Experience?

  • Nurturing Environment For Learning
  • Child-led Projects and Curriculum
  • Strong Emphasis on Character Development
  • Fostering Student Self-management  and Independence
21st-Century Skills
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Whole Brain Learning
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Research-based
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Art-centric Curriculum
Inclusivity
Inclusivity
Creativity
Creativity
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Authenticity
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Empathy

Our Portfolio


Insights & Musings from our Community

We knew there was something special about Ari and Sofia before our daughter was ever in their classroom. Their synergy was evident from afar, and we looked forward to the day when our daughter was old enough to be in their care. She has been with Ari and Sofia for over 18 months now, and she is growing into this beautifully confident and joyful human being. She loves Rifugio, and we are thrilled to see how she chooses to embrace life every day. We are so grateful for Ari and Sofia! Their love, joy, encouragement and emotional support are like no other . . . . truly instrumental and inspiring at such an influential time in a child’s life. Rifugio Austin is building a strong foundation for our daughter that will continue to open up a world of possibilities for the rest of her life.

Sarah L.

I cannot say enough great things about Rifugio, Ari and Sofia!! My son has been there since June and he absolutely loves it. I know this because every night we talk about our pit and peak of the day and everyday it’s the same thing “my peak was going to school (Rifugio!) and my pit was coming home” 🙂 I love how they sneak education in throughout the day without the kids noticing (i.e writing practice and learning math with measurements during cooking lessons) and how they encourage creativity with their art projects and singing karaoke on their outdoor stage. The kids are having a blast while Sofia and Ari provide encouragement, enrichment, positivity and love throughout the day. This place is truly a gem!

Dimple S.

We cannot sing the praises of Ari and Sofia and the environment they have set up enough. Our six-year-old blossomed in the time that he spent at Rifugio. We were particularly impressed with his social and emotional development and found the entire experience to have an extremely positive influence on him and our family. The founders are sincerely invested in not just teaching but nurturing every child on their own terms and what best suits the needs of the individual. In a perfect world, every child would have the opportunity to benefit from Rifugio.

William M.

Rifugio is really a magical place! We spent part of the school year and the summer with Ari and Sofia. They really foster a sense of curiosity, creativity, and joy in learning. Our child thrived with the hands-on curriculum — learning to cook, exploring rocks, doing fun Olympics exercises, and making things with scrap materials. Ari and Sofia are so knowledgeable about childhood development and invested in nurturing growth based on where the children are at. Through his time at Rifugio, my child developed a greater respect for himself and his community of learning. I can’t recommend Rifugio enough!

Angela W.

Our two boys had the best time at Rifugio Austin this past summer! Ari and Sofia are amazing, and they have created an amazing space both indoors and outdoors at their location. They are engaging, innovative and nurturing. We could not have asked for a better curriculum and environment for our boys to thrive in!

Jen T.

My daughter LOVES Miss Ari and Miss Sofia. They guide their students with love and compassion while teaching them self confidence, empathy and courage.

Ale P.

The best! Dynamic duo! Such commitment to their craft and to their students. So grateful for their guidance, community, support, and love. They meet their students where they are and foster curiosity, respect, and strong sense of self. Such a gift!

Emily S.

Dream team. Our daughter has been learning (and loving) these two for years. Highly recommended. Exceeds expectations every time!

Victoria H.

Let's Get In Touch

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    ──── FAQ'S

    Feel Free To Ask More Questions

    How is my child’s learning supported in a project-based school?

    Rifugio Austin creates a solid foundation with a blended approach to curriculum design. Curriculum, instruction, and assessment are integrated between disciplines with a focus on student engagement and identifying and maintaining their motivation. Curriculum is developed to meet the individual needs of a wide range of abilities, interests, and talents including students with identified learning differences, as well as students ready for increased academic challenges with support and guidance from our teachers.

    What subjects are taught?

    Rifugio Austin does not have a one-size fits all philosophy or curriculum.  Our core curriculum is developed to meet the Texas State Standards, but extends much deeper into the concepts being taught. Furthermore, our teachers follow and listen to our students about their interests to design the best programs, projects, and works available to create a student-centered, inquiry-based, and project-driven model of authentic education.   Our holistic approach to education focuses on rigorous education in language arts and math through an integrated way that embraces cooking, culture and science as context and content. Students are encouraged to express themselves through the arts when doing project work.   

    Our teachers are passionate about what they teach and are dedicated to continually refining their practices. Teachers are the living curriculum in the classroom, focusing not only on content, but also on each individual child’s learning process. Using creativity to integrate multiple resources, our teachers deliver content that inspires active student engagement in their own academic journey. Physical Education is encouraged through daily outdoor exploration time and periodic exercise like yoga, dance and indoor gym time when the weather is harsh.  Tinkering and Chess Fundamentals are our current, regularly provided after school programs. 

    What does a completed project look like?

    Click the link to see the process and completion of an Esploratori project.   

    COMPLETED PROJECT

    Is Rifugio Austin accredited?

    We are currently in the process of completing our accreditation with COGNIA, a global network of enthusiastic professionals with the goal of enhancing schools, engaging students, and driving better outcomes for all. COGNIA helps to create environments in schools in which learning takes place freely and passionately.  To learn more about COGNIA, please visit: https://www.cognia.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Performance-Standards.pdf 

    How is my child’s learning measured?

    Rather than rely exclusively on standardized tests, Rifugio Austin continuously collects different information from students using things like social and emotional skills surveys, game-based assessments, and performance or portfolio-based assessments. Furthermore, narrative reports of student’s progress, project presentations, community art shows, regular communication between student/teacher/parent, and open collaboration with all members of the community are well- documented methods of tracking each student’s progress.  We strive for constant understanding of where our students stand in their holistic learning journey.  We place emphasis on tracking each student’s well-being and engagement. Another alternative, The Gallup Student Poll, measures hope, engagement, and well-being. Research shows these are indicators of success, linked to grades, retention, and employment. Engagement being a measure of how connected students are to their learning environment. Research shows that at least half of long-term chances of success are determined by nonacademic qualities like grit, perseverance and curiosity.

    How much time is spent outside?

    Outdoor exploration for young minds is imperative in their development. There is scheduled outdoor time in the morning, after lunch, and in the after-school program. Lessons and projects are created with the outdoors in mind and implemented outdoors when possible.  

    How do you support students with special rights?

    We believe that most learning differences can be accommodated through our school simply due to our small student:teacher ratio, personalized attention, and through the physical, mental, and emotional support given by our teachers.   However, our school does not currently have the resources or capacity to handle students with serious learning or behavior disorders.  

    Rifugio Austin believes that everyone is unique so if you learn that your child has any given challenges that you are concerned about, please do not hesitate to contact us to have a conversation about whether we can provide a nurturing and stimulating environment and provide a good fit for your child and family culture.

    What happens when my child graduates? How do they get into other schools?

    In the State of Texas all public schools are required to accept our assessment reports and transcripts as an accurate and satisfactory explanation of placement for transfer to their campus.   

    What is the application process?

    Please email “admissions@rifugioaustin.com” to begin the application process.