Headwaters School

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Headwaters School Photo #1 - Headwaters Students are Peacemakers, Advocates, Creators, and Thinkers ranging from 18 months to high school seniors.
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Headwaters School Photo #1 - Headwaters Students are Peacemakers, Advocates, Creators, and Thinkers ranging from 18 months to high school seniors.
Headwaters School Photo #2 - Here our Early Elementary students are learning math concepts with Montessori Materials in their outdoor classroom.
Headwaters School Photo #3 - High School students work diligently in a science lab on our River Campus.
Headwaters School Photo #4 - In our Primary program, students learn numbers in a tactile way. First, a child traces a sandpaper number with their fingers and immediately writes that number in the sand.
Headwaters School Photo #5 - This Young Children's Casita (YCC) student is playing in the classroom's courtyard and experimenting with a ball rolling. The courtyard is full of appropriately-sized materials for students to play and explore their surroundings.
Headwaters School Photo #6 - Our Middle and High School programs are located in downtown Austin where we encourage the concept of City As Classroom. In this instance, middle and high school students enjoyed an afternoon at Duncan Park for Field Day!
Headwaters School Photo #7 - We love our Library on the Creek Campus! Our elementary students have opportunities each week to check out books of interest or for projects.
Headwaters School Photo #8 - Our Middle and High School music program allows our students to explore their passions and learn more about music. It's even open to students without any experience.
Headwaters School Photo #9 - A trip to the Elementary Garden is always a treat! Gardening class happens each week for our K-5th grade students. We love to see, smell, and taste what the garden provides!
Headwaters School Photo #10 - We work hard in our middle school to create an environment that allows students to be curious, take risks, stretch their limits, and make mistakes. We believe that the job of our guides is not to simply impart knowledge, but to help students to make meaning from knowledge.
Headwaters School is an independent school in Austin, Texas serving students from 18 months old through Grade 12.
Beginning with a Montessori foundation and progressing to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, we cultivate identity formation, foster empathy, and embrace diversity to bring more peace to the world.
We guide our students to live authentically, think expansively, and create bravely.
We invite our students to become Peacemakers, Advocates, Creators, and Thinkers.
Founded in 2001, we design vibrant learning environments across our three campuses: our Springs Campus (Early Childhood), our Creek Campus (Elementary), and our River Campus (Middle & High School).

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked TX School
  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 525 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $14,700
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School News

  • The Current | Headwaters School May/June 2023 Edition - 06/24/2023
    Check out the May/June 2023 edition of The Current, Headwaters community newsletter.
  • Introducing Our New SmartLab - 06/24/2023
    We are excited to introduce our new SmartLab on the River Campus!Our SmartLab will allow us to provide students with personalized project-based learning experiences where they will build on their ...morefoundational math and science knowledge and develop new skills in a variety of STEAM pathways. Headwaters students will be prepared to change the future after exploring topics such as circuitry, manufacturing technology, robotics, software engineering, environmental technology and more! This state-of-the-art room includes a 3D printer, laser engraver, a CNC milling machine, and many more tools to create and experiment. Check out this video preview of the space and some summer campers working in the room already!
    This summer, Camp Headwaters middle school campers are the first to use the room and they are already having so much fun! This past week, campers delved into some STEM fun with Headwaters Guide Fabian Ng. There are still spots available for the next two sessionslearn more and sign-up here. The entire community is invited to save the date for the upcoming ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, September 22, 2023. All are welcome!
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Top Rankings

Headwaters School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Texas for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
2001
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Student Body

Total Students
525 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
22%
State avg.: 41%
Students by Grade
Headwaters School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
74 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
35%
Average Class Size
20 students
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
IB Design Technology SL I, IB Environmental Systems and Societies SL I, IB Environmental Systems and Societies SL II, IB Film HL/SL I, IB Film HL/SL II, IB History HL/SL I, IB History HL/SL II, IB Language & Literature HL I, IB Language & Literature HL II, IB Mandarin SL I, IB Mandarin SL II, IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL I, IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL II, IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL I, IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL II, IB Physics HL II, IB Physics SL I, IB Physics SL II, IB Spanish and Latin American Literature HL/SL I, IB Spanish and Latin American Literature HL/SL II, IB Spanish SL I, IB Spanish SL II, IB Visual Art (Studio Art HL/SL I & II), IB Visual Art HL/SL I: Photography, IB Visual Art HL/SL II: Photography, Theory of Knowledge I, Theory of Knowledge II
Average SAT score
1190
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
See full tuition details at www.headwaters.org
Summer Program Cost
$350
Summer Program Cost Notes
From $350 per week. More details at www.headwaters.org
% on Financial Aid
12%
Admissions Director
Krista Phillips
Admissions Associate
Jote Khalsa

Sports

Total Sports Offered
4 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
10 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Admissions Ambassadors, Community Leaders, GSA, Middle School Newspaper, Model United Nations, Outdoor Leadership, Theatre, Upper Elementary Book Club, Yearbook

Arts and Music Programs:
Jazz Band

School Notes

  • Beginning with a Montessori foundation and progressing to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, our independent school serves students from early childhood through grade 12. We are inspired, organized, and guided by our Purpose, Promise, and PACT. These ideas serve as the foundation for our daily work.
  • Our Purpose: We cultivate identity formation, foster empathy, and embrace diversity to bring more peace to the world.
  • Our Promise: We guide our students to live authentically, think expansively, and create bravely.PACT
  • Our PACT: We invite our students to become Peacemakers, Advocates, Creators, and Thinkers.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Headwaters School cost?
Headwaters School's tuition is approximately $14,700 for private students and $350 for summer students.
Does Headwaters School offer a summer program?
Yes, Headwaters School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does Headwaters School offer?
Headwaters School offers 4 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Flag Football, Soccer and Volleyball.
What is Headwaters School's ranking?
Headwaters School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Texas for: Largest student body.
When is the application deadline for Headwaters School?
The application deadline for Headwaters School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
What neighborhood is Headwaters School located?
Headwaters School is located in the Downtown Austin neighborhood of Austin, TX. There are 1 other private schools located in Downtown Austin.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked TX School
  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 525 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $14,700
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Austin, TX is $13,565 for elementary schools and $15,962 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Austin, TX is 81% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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