Magellan International School

What Magellan International School does

Magellan International School is a private, independent, non-profit school headquartered in Austin, Texas, founded in 2009 by Erin Defossé. It operates two campuses—a Preschool Campus (ages 3-5) at 2700 West Anderson Lane and a Main Campus (K-12) at 7501 North Capital of Texas Highway—serving more than 600 students from preschool through Grade 12. The school's product is a Spanish-English bilingual immersion education combined with the full International Baccalaureate continuum (Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes), with students spending up to 75% of the school day learning in Spanish. Magellan's April 2026 IB Diploma Programme authorization makes it the only secular, independent school in the United States delivering the full IB continuum in a bilingual Spanish-English setting, and one of only five such secular independent schools nationwide.

The business operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, governed by a Board of Directors with no parent or external investor. Revenue is generated primarily through tuition (subscription-style, billed annually, rates not publicly disclosed), supplemented by an Annual Fund (the Magellan Fund), which bridges up to 10% of the operating budget gap between tuition and the actual cost of education; tiered giving levels range from Friend (up to $499) to Global ($25K+). A $7.5M 'Siempre Magellan' capital campaign funded a new main campus, and a $1.3M annual financial aid program supports 15% of enrolled families. Additional revenue streams include the annual Noche de Gala fundraiser and sponsorship signs. Faculty are 70% international (representing 17 countries), and student outcomes are benchmarked internally: 91% of students scored above national averages on MAP Reading and Language Usage assessments, with 64% of families identifying as racially/ethnically diverse.

Magellan employs a hybrid sales-led and community-led go-to-market model: prospective families move through inquiry, application (via the MyMagellan portal/MySchoolApp), and campus visit stages, with strong referrals driven by the MISPA parent association, DEIB committee, and community events including the International Festival. Core academic offerings are augmented by an Innovation Lab (with UT Austin UTeach STEM interns), a Global Impact Diploma alternative pathway, an athletics program competing in AIPL and TAPPS, after-school care, summer programming (Camp Everything), and four master's-credentialed counselors. The school's competitive positioning rests on a unique credential combination—bilingual Spanish immersion plus full IB authorization—that competitors cannot easily replicate.

Name

Magellan International School

Legal name

Magellan International School

Website

https://magellanschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Magellan International School is a non-profit independent school in Austin, Texas, serving 600+ students from preschool through Grade 12 via a Spanish-English bilingual immersion program combined with the full International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, DP).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

Keywords

• Private K-12 education
• International baccalaureate school
• Spanish immersion education
• Bilingual preschool programs
• Independent school tuition

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Private school tuition revenue from enrolled students across preschool through high school grade levels
2. Annual Fund Donations: The Magellan Fund raises up to 10% of annual operating budget, bridging gap between tuition and actual cost of education. Giving levels: Global ($25K+), Inquirer ($10K-$24,999), Innovator ($5,000-$9,999), Leader ($2,500-$4,999), Explorer ($500-$2,499), Friend (up to $499)
3. Capital Campaign - Siempre Magellan: $7.5 million capital campaign to fund completion and repayment of new campus ('Forever Home')
4. Noche de Gala: Spring annual gala featuring live auction, online auction, and sponsorship opportunities
5. Sponsorship Signs: Playground and sports court sponsorship signs for businesses and families
6. Financial Aid: $1.3M financial aid awarded to 15% of Magellan families annually to support diverse student body

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Magellan International School delivers a Preschool through Grade 12 private independent school education built on the full International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) taught in a bilingual Spanish-English immersion setting across two Austin campuses. The school's core offering combines inquiry-based IB curriculum with up to 75% Spanish immersion, an Innovation Lab, competitive athletics, and college-preparatory pathways including the IB Diploma and Global Impact Diploma. Revenue is generated through recurring annual tuition, with supplemental support from annual fund donations, a $7.5M capital campaign, and the Noche de Gala fundraiser.

Product overview

Magellan International School is a private, independent school in Austin, Texas, offering a comprehensive educational program from Preschool (ages 3-5) through Grade 12. The school operates as a unified platform delivering Spanish immersion education combined with the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum (PYP, MYP, and DP). Core programs include Preschool, Primary School (K-5), Middle School, and High School with multiple graduation pathways including the IB Diploma Programme and Global Impact Diploma. Supporting modules include the Design + Innovation Lab, Athletics Program, Camp Everything Summer Camp, After School Care, Student Support Resources, and Parent Association (MISPA). The school serves over 600 students across two campuses and is the only secular, independent school in the U.S. offering the full IB continuum in a bilingual Spanish-English setting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preschool Program (Ages 3-5) Full Spanish immersion early childhood education program serving children ages 3-5 at the Magellan Preschool Campus (2700 West Anderson Lane, Suite 601, Austin, TX). Designed for Austin-area families seeking early bilingual preschool education.
• Primary School (K-5) Spanish immersion elementary education program covering grades K-5 with inquiry-based IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum at the Magellan Main Campus. Designed for families seeking IB primary education with bilingual Spanish immersion.
• Middle School IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grades 6-10, continuing Spanish immersion with interdisciplinary learning and real-world applications. Designed for families seeking IB secondary education with language immersion.
• High School High school program offering multiple graduation pathways including the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and the Global Impact Diploma (GID) for grades 11-12. Designed for college-bound students seeking rigorous academics with global perspective.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme Full International Baccalaureate continuum comprising Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP) delivered in a bilingual Spanish-English setting. The Diploma Programme authorization was officially granted by the International Baccalaureate Organization effective April 20, 2026.
• Spanish Immersion Program Language immersion program where students spend approximately 75% of their school day learning in Spanish, with literacy supported by the ¡Arriba la Lectura! Spanish literacy program. Designed to develop bilingualism and biliteracy from the earliest years.
• Design + Innovation / Innovation Lab Innovation and design thinking program featuring an Innovation Lab where students engage in project-based STEM learning, supported by UT Austin interns through the UTeach Program partnership. Designed to develop future-ready skills and design thinking.
• Athletics Program Competitive athletics program participating in Austin Inter-Parochial League (AIPL) and TAPPS, offering sports including flag football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, archery, cross country, swimming, sailing, tennis, track and field, and ultimate frisbee.
• Camp Everything Summer Camp Summer camp program offering enrichment activities for students during summer break in partnership with Camp Everything.
• After School Care After school care program providing supervision and enrichment activities for students beyond regular school hours.
• Student Support Resources (SSR) In-school academic, behavioral, and emotional support including counseling services, literacy support, social-emotional learning, and intervention for mild to moderate learning disabilities, staffed by four dedicated counselors each holding a master's degree.
• Financial Aid Program Financial assistance program awarding approximately $1.3 million annually to 15% of enrolled Magellan families to support a diverse student body.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of students scored above national average for MAP Reading and Language Usage
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and supporting.

• Camp EverythingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer camp program partnership offering enrichment activities for students during summer months. Magellan promotes Camp Everything as part of its community offerings.
• International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthorized IB World School offering Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. Received official IB DP authorization April 20, 2026.
• Austin Inter-Parochial League (AIPL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAthletic league for competitive sports participation starting at foundation level in Austin area
• Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide competitive league for private schools in Texas, providing opportunity for students to compete at higher levels
• UT Austin UTeach ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for STEM intern placement. Magellan participated in UT Austin's UTeach job fair and welcomed intern Alisa Subillaga as Innovation Lab intern.
• GiveCampuscoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline fundraising platform used for Magellan United Campaign, Magellan Fund donations, and capital campaign giving
• PayPalsupportingTechnology or IntegrationPayment processing option for The Magellan Fund donations
• CISV InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's International Summer Villages program supporting global education and cultural exchange. Magellan students participate in CISV camps worldwide.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Austin International School: Private K-12 school in Austin offering IB curriculum with strong multilingual focus. Most directly comparable to Magellan as a fellow IB World School in the same metro pursuing international/bilingual positioning for Austin families.
• The Waldorf School of Austin: Independent PK-12 school in Austin offering an alternative college-preparatory curriculum. Comparable as an Austin private school alternative for families seeking non-traditional pedagogy.
• St. Andrew's Episcopal School: Independent PK-12 school in Austin offering the IB Diploma Programme alongside other curricula. Comparable as a private Austin peer with IB authorization competing for the same college-prep family segment.
• St. Stephen's Episcopal School: Independent college-preparatory school in Austin serving grades 6-12. Comparable as a private Austin peer competing for the same college-bound family segment at the secondary level.
• Trinity Episcopal School: Independent K-8 school in Austin serving college-prep families. Comparable as an Austin private school competitor for primary/middle-school enrollment, though without the IB bilingual differentiator.

Broad incumbents

• Greenhill School: Large independent PK-12 school in Dallas offering the IB Diploma Programme. Comparable as a Texas independent peer with established IB continuum competing for college-prep families.
• BASIS Independent Schools: Network of independent PK-12 schools with rigorous college-prep curriculum and international focus. Comparable as a private school operator with multilingual/STEM emphasis targeting ambitious academic families.
• The Kinkaid School: Large independent PK-12 school in Houston with a long-established IB programme. Comparable as a Texas independent school with IB authorization and college-prep focus at greater scale.
• The Village School: Large independent PK-12 school in Houston with IB authorization and extensive programming. Comparable as a Texas private school with full IB offering and broader curricular portfolio.

Regional players

• San Antonio International School: Private international school in San Antonio offering IB curriculum with multilingual programming. Comparable regional peer offering the same IB-plus-language-immersion model in a different Texas metro.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/magellanschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/magellanschool
• Xx.com/magellanschool

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Magellan International School