Peacemakers 2019-2020 School Profile Advocates Founded in 2001, Headwaters School is an independent school in Austin, Texas serving students from Creators early childhood through grade 12. Our current enrollment is 535 students. • Springs Campus (Early Childhood) in South Austin at 6305 Manchaca Road • Creek Campus (Elementary) in Southwest Austin at 9607 Brodie Lane • River Campus (Middle and High School) in Downtown Austin at 807 Rio Grande Street Shuttle service offered between Creek and River Campuses. Thinkers Headwaters School’s Purpose, Promise, and PACT Peace Education and Mindfulness We are inspired, organized, and guided by our Purpose, Promise, Peace Education is paramount to us. We believe that and PACT. These ideas serve as the foundation for our daily work. the best way for children to learn about the power of peaceful, healthy communication and conflict resolution is through practice. We dedicate time to the ongoing Our Purpose Our Promise teaching of communication skills, from discussions with We cultivate We guide our students to the whole class to one-on-one coaching. As children progress through each grade level, they acquire live identity formation, authentically, increasingly sophisticated tools for problem-solving, and foster empathy, and think expansively, students are encouraged to practice utilizing these embrace diversity and create bravely. tools. Academically, we examine and celebrate peace to bring more leaders and movements throughout history. Calendar peace to the world. Middle and High School Campus We explore mindfulness at each level at Headwaters. Our PACT By sharing periods of intentional silence that we call 38 weeks In the school year (including one week Centering, both students and guides are able to set of exams and one week of student-planned We invite our students, guides, staff, parents, and trustees to be: an intention for the class, self-regulate emotions, and experiential learning) feel more connected to their surroundings. These Peacemakers. As we learn to resolve conflicts, we moments of silence or guided meditation allow each 2 semesters Fall and Spring demonstrate compassion, grace, skill, and courage. We take of us to calm and focus the mind and body. In fact, responsibility for our actions. every class in the Middle and High School starts 5 days/week A/B day schedule for eight periods with with Centering, often led by a student. Advocates. We strive to understand and value diverse advisory meetings 4 days a week and an perspectives, cultures, and faiths. We recognize our agency and assembly once a week act with integrity in pursuit of a more just and equitable society. Student Body 7.5 hours Length of school day Creators. Curiosity, wonder, and the creative process are essential to a fulfilling life. We discover ourselves and our voices • The Headwaters Early Childhood program by taking intellectual and artistic risks. serves 125 students, ages 18 months to Pre-K. Thinkers. As self-directed learners, we approach education • The Elementary School serves 190 Early Childhood and Elementary School Campuses with intention. We use observation, research, and reason to explore students in Kindergarten through grade 5. 38 weeks In the school year problems that matter to us, our community, and the world. • The Middle and High School serves 225 students in grades 6 through 12. This number includes 11 2 semesters Fall and Spring international students from five countries including China, Germany, France, Senegal, and Vietnam. LENGTH OF SCHOOL DAY: • Sixteen percent of our student body receives 4 hours Early Childhood 1/2-Day Program tuition assistance. 7 hours Early Childhood/Elementary Full-Day Program Montessori Foundation, ® The Headwaters Forward is an annual trip during International Baccalaureate Diploma which Headwaters staff and students from the Middle The Montessori curriculum in our Early Childhood and Elementary and High School spend several days playing and bonding in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. This trip is one of programs is the foundation that leads to our International ® the most memorable experiences of the school year, Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, and sets us apart from and we consider it to be an important part of the every other school in Austin. Both Montessori and IB share Headwaters curriculum. a dedication to growing compassionate global citizens who are self-directed, lifelong learners. The mission of the International Baccalaureate is “to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring CULTURE: THE FORWARD young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” This is exactly what Maria Montessori hoped to create—a way of helping Headwaters by the Numbers children learn who they are both as individuals and as part of FACULTY AND STAFF the global community. Since 2012, our graduates have received more than more than $25.7 million in scholarship offers. Full-Time Faculty 91 and Staff Members SAT SUMMARY RESULTS FOR CLASS OF 2017 AND CLASS OF 2018 CULTURE: STUDENT-LED CONFERENCES Section Middle 50% Mean Part-Time Faculty Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 570-700 660 9 and Staff Members Twice each year, 4th-12th grade students reflect on their academic and social Mathematics 550-700 640 progress in collaboration with their advisor and parents. Students examine and Average years of faculty consider their goals for the year and present their insights to these caring adults. Total 1150-1380 1310 13 and staff experience Headwaters School’s Purpose, Promise, and PACT Peace Education and Mindfulness We are inspired, organized, and guided by our Purpose, Promise, Peace Education is paramount to us. We believe that and PACT. These ideas serve as the foundation for our daily work. the best way for children to learn about the power of peaceful, healthy communication and conflict resolution is through practice. We dedicate time to the ongoing Our Purpose Our Promise teaching of communication skills, from discussions with We cultivate We guide our students to the whole class to one-on-one coaching. As children progress through each grade level, they acquire live identity formation, authentically, increasingly sophisticated tools for problem-solving, and foster empathy, and think expansively, students are encouraged to practice utilizing these embrace diversity and create bravely. tools. Academically, we examine and celebrate peace to bring more leaders and movements throughout history. Calendar peace to the world. Middle and High School Campus We explore mindfulness at each level at Headwaters. Our PACT By sharing periods of intentional silence that we call 38 weeks In the school year (including one week Centering, both students and guides are able to set of exams and one week of student-planned We invite our students, guides, staff, parents, and trustees to be: an intention for the class, self-regulate emotions, and experiential learning) feel more connected to their surroundings. These Peacemakers. As we learn to resolve conflicts, we moments of silence or guided meditation allow each 2 semesters Fall and Spring demonstrate compassion, grace, skill, and courage. We take of us to calm and focus the mind and body. In fact, responsibility for our actions. every class in the Middle and High School starts 5 days/week A/B day schedule for eight periods with with Centering, often led by a student. Advocates. We strive to understand and value diverse advisory meetings 4 days a week and an perspectives, cultures, and faiths. We recognize our agency and assembly once a week act with integrity in pursuit of a more just and equitable society. Student Body 7.5 hours Length of school day Creators. Curiosity, wonder, and the creative process are essential to a fulfilling life. We discover ourselves and our voices • The Headwaters Early Childhood program by taking intellectual and artistic risks. serves 125 students, ages 18 months to Pre-K. Thinkers. As self-directed learners, we approach education • The Elementary School serves 190 Early Childhood and Elementary School Campuses with intention. We use observation, research, and reason to explore students in Kindergarten through grade 5. 38 weeks In the school year problems that matter to us, our community, and the world. • The Middle and High School serves 225 students in grades 6 through 12. This number includes 11 2 semesters Fall and Spring international students from five countries including China, Germany, France, Senegal, and Vietnam. LENGTH OF SCHOOL DAY: • Sixteen percent of our student body receives 4 hours Early Childhood 1/2-Day Program tuition assistance. 7 hours Early Childhood/Elementary Full-Day Program Montessori Foundation, ® The Headwaters Forward is an annual trip during International Baccalaureate Diploma which Headwaters staff and students from the Middle The Montessori curriculum in our Early Childhood and Elementary and High School spend several days playing and bonding in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. This trip is one of programs is the foundation that leads to our International ® the most memorable experiences of the school year, Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, and sets us apart from and we consider it to be an important part of the every other school in Austin. Both Montessori and IB share Headwaters curriculum. a dedication to growing compassionate global citizens who are self-directed, lifelong learners. The mission of the International Baccalaureate is “to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring CULTURE: THE FORWARD young people