Elon Musk’s experimental school, Ad Astra, is now accepting students in Bastrop, Texas, where SpaceX and The Boring Company are also located. The school, named after the Latin phrase meaning “To the stars,” was originally founded by Musk in 2014 to educate his own children and those of SpaceX employees. It previously operated in secrecy at SpaceX’s headquarters in Hawthorne, California, offering a STEM-heavy curriculum focusing on math, science, artificial intelligence, and robotics. The school reportedly closed in 2020 during the pandemic and transitioned to an online program called Astra Nova, which now appears to have been redirected to the current Ad Astra website.
Ad Astra’s new location in Bastrop will continue to emphasize a similar curriculum, although specific details about its classes are currently limited. The school is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year, with a requirement that children be toilet-independent before beginning the Primary program. Admissions information indicates that 18 primary students and 30 lower elementary students will be accepted at the Bastrop location, with tuition being subsidized for the first year and later aligning with local private school rates.
Musk has previously expressed the philosophy of deemphasizing grade levels at Ad Astra and focusing on having all children progress through the same grade simultaneously. The school is also recruiting teachers in Bastrop through a staffing firm called Xplor Education, with job postings for preschool, elementary, and STEM teachers. The school’s location on a former horse farm is noted in property records, although its website does not mention being a Montessori school, despite previous reports suggesting Musk’s interest in opening one in the area.
Musk’s presence in Bastrop has caused some controversy, as he has been purchasing land in the area for his companies, SpaceX and The Boring Company. There have been accusations of reckless development along the Colorado River and environmental fines issued to The Boring Company for infractions such as improper disposal of wastewater. In addition to the school, Musk is also developing a housing community called “Snailbrook” and a collection of shops and eateries known as “Hyperloop Plaza” in the town. These developments have caused concern among some residents who fear the impact on the rural, ranching community.
Overall, the opening of Ad Astra in Bastrop represents a new chapter for Elon Musk’s experimental school, bringing its unique educational approach to a rural Texas community. With a focus on STEM subjects and a philosophy that challenges traditional grade levels, the school is now accepting applications for the upcoming school year. Musk’s presence in Bastrop, including the development of housing and shopping areas, has stirred controversy among some residents, raising concerns about the impact on the local environment and community. Despite these challenges, Ad Astra’s launch in Bastrop marks an important milestone for Musk’s vision of innovative education and expanding opportunities for the next generation of innovators.
