Kicking off a new school year is always exciting, and it was no exception for College Prep. The day started with ice breakers and policies, setting the stage for a year of friendship and learning.

Paper tags hang from a Christmas tree, printed with a child’s name, age, clothing sizes, and a list of wishes. Each tag represents an “angel” in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, a tradition that ensures struggling kids and families receive Christmas presents.

ATA College Prep students visited Sputnik ATX, a leading startup accelerator and venture capital firm based right here in Austin, Texas, and led by ATA mother and patron, Oksana Malysheva. Sputnik ATX identifies and supports early-stage startups by combining investment and mentorship to help founders grow their companies and succeed in the competitive world of entrepreneurship.

ATA College Prep proudly celebrated academic excellence and leadership at its annual National Honor Society Induction Ceremony on January 14, 2026. The evening featured a beautiful candle lighting ceremony, honoring the values of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

ATA College Prep engineering students recently completed the “Conception to Final Product” project in conjunction with a visit to the Sputnik ATX, an in-person accelerator program located in Austin, TX that provides start-up training focused on sales, mentoring, and ongoing support. The experience gave students valuable insight into how ideas move from concept to viable products in real-world settings.

As the only middle school team competing against 31 high school teams across central Texas, 71458A made it into the semifinals by beating the top seed in the second round of elimination.