Admissions
Admissions at Headwaters

FAQs

Admissions FAQs

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

Early Childhood | 18 mos.-6 yrs.

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

  • What is Phase In? When will my child start school?

    Phase-In schedules start for all students on (or after) the first day of school. Phase In is designed to facilitate the smoothest transition for you, your child, and the Headwaters' community. Depending on the age and level of the child, we have different phase-in schedules for each child. 

  • Does my child have the option of attending school for only three days a week?

    No, all of our Montessori programs are five days per week. It is an important component of the Montessori philosophy that children experience the consistency of returning to the same environment day after day.

    For families who are interested in a shorter school day, a half-day program is available for Primary and our Young Children’s Community.

  • Are there be any after-school enrichment activities?

    Yes, each summer we work with guides and local vendors to create a schedule of semester-long enrichment activities for after-school. We are looking forward to bringing back some favorite activities and perhaps some new offerings!

  • What should my child wear to school? Is there a dress code?

    Children’s clothing should be comfortable (allowing complete freedom of movement), washable, and suitable for daily indoor and outdoor activities. Because children spend time outdoors almost every day, parents should consider weather conditions when planning daily dress. Children are encouraged to wear shoes that are practical as well as comfortable. For safety purposes, gardening shoes and flip flops are strongly discouraged.

    We don't have a dress code for this age group, but we believe that as long as items are not distracting to the child wearing it, it should be fine.

    We are also using the outdoors more often and when the weather changes, we will send out reminders about layers in cold weather, too. Labeling personal items is by far one of the most important things so that when layers come off, they make it home later!

  • What are arrival and pick-up times and procedures?

    YCC
    Families will park in the circle drive on Manchaca for drop-off and pick-up.

    Early Arrival: starts at 7:30 a.m.
    Drop-off: 8:15-8:40 a.m.
    Noon Pick-up: 12 p.m.
    Full Day Pick-up: 2:45 p.m.
    After-Care: 5:45 p.m.

    Primary
    Families use the circle drive on Berkeley Ave. for drop-off and pick-up with support from Susie and staff. We use the circle drive with guides and admin helping students out of vehicles at arrival and dismissal time. Families will also be given a paper placard with their child’s name for their car window to make the process easier.

    Early Arrival: starts at 7:30 a.m.
    Drop-off: 8:15-8:40 a.m.
    Full Day Pick-up: 2:45 p.m.
    After-Care: 5:45 p.m.
     

  • Is there a before- and after-care option?

    Yes, we do have an early arrival program that begins at 7:30 a.m. as well as an extended day program until 5:45 p.m. These programs are available to families for an additional fee.

  • Is there a Montessori-trained teacher in every classroom?

    Yes, there is a Montessori-trained teacher in every classroom.

  • Does my child have to be toilet-trained before beginning school?

    In the Young Children’s Community program, toilet-learning is a part of the curriculum, and children are expected to be working towards being self-sufficient in the bathroom. In the Primary program, children should generally be self-sufficient before starting school--we are happy to talk about this further if your child is still in the learning process.

  • Can you tell me more about the campus?

    Our Early Childhood program is located on our Springs Campus in South Austin at 6305 Menchaca Road, Austin, TX 78745.

    This campus is located just south of Stassney Road and is a combination of three buildings and lots of playground space to run around. 

    Each classroom has its own courtyard for outdoor play. Primary students also enjoy their Primary playground where students get to play together. We also have our Peace Garden and Movement Yard for additional activities. We are also fortunate to have many beautiful trees shading our spaces.

Elementary | K-5th Grade

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

  • What are arrival and pick-up times?

    We use the circle drive with guides and admin helping students out of vehicles at arrival and dismissal time. Families will also be given a paper placard with their child’s name for their car window to make the process easier.

    Early Arrival starts at 7:30 a.m. and Extended Care ends at 5:45 p.m. There are fees associated with these two programs.

    Staggered Arrival Times
    • 8:00-8:10 AM K-1
    • 8:10-8:20 AM Early Elementary (2nd-3rd)
    • 8:20-8:30 AM Upper Elementary (4-5th)
    * For families with siblings, please drop at the oldest student’s arrival time.

    Staggered Dismissal Times
    • 3:10-3:20 PM K-1
    • 3:20-3:30 PM Early Elementary (2nd-3rd)
    • 3:30-3:40 PM Upper Elementary (4-5th)
    *For families with siblings, please pick up at the oldest student’s dismissal time.

  • What should my child wear to school? Is there a dress code?

    Children’s clothing should be comfortable (allowing complete freedom of movement), washable, and suitable for daily indoor and outdoor activities. Because children spend time outdoors almost every day, parents should consider weather conditions when planning daily dress. Children are encouraged to wear shoes that are practical as well as comfortable. For safety purposes, gardening shoes and flip flops are strongly discouraged.

    We don't have a dress code for this age group, but we believe that as long as items are not distracting to the child wearing it, it should be fine.

    We are also using the outdoors more often and when the weather changes, we will send out reminders about layers in cold weather, too. Labeling personal items is by far one of the most important things so that when layers come off, they make it home later!

  • Is there a before- and after-care option?

    Yes, we do have an early arrival program that begins at 7:30 a.m. as well as an after-care program until 5:45 p.m. These programs are available to families for an additional fee.

  • Is there a Montessori-trained teacher in every classroom?

    Yes, there is a Montessori-trained teacher in every classroom.

  • Can you tell me more about the campus?

    Located on our Creek Campus at 9607 Brodie Lane, our Elementary Montessori program serves children from Kindergarten through 5th grade. This spacious 4-acre campus provides ample outdoor learning opportunities indoors and out.

    There are three Kinder-1st grade classes, three 2nd/3rd grade classes, and three 4th/5th grade classes. Each class has two guides as well as specialists who teach regular classes in music, gardening, art, health & fitness, and Spanish. We have recess on our playground everyday to give the children an opportunity to interact and cultivate relationships. 

Middle & High School | Gr. 6-12

List of 12 frequently asked questions.

  • What is the The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme? What grade does it start?

    Headwaters School is an IB World School offering the Diploma Programme for 11th and 12th grades. We are also part of The Texas IB Schools association. These schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that Headwaters School believes is important for our students.

    Learn more here.

  • Tell me more about the Food Truck.

    Yes, we work with a current parent and local restaurant owner to staff and run our Food Truck. Our goal is to provide nutritious, convenient, reasonably-priced food options for your middle and high school students. See the menu and hours from 21-22 at this link.

    Additionally, once permitted, High School Students do receive off-campus privileges.

    Students may also bring their lunch from home.

    No food deliveries are allowed at any time. 

  • What does homework look like for students?

    For middle and high school students, homework takes on a variety of forms. It could range from reading and reflection on an article presented in a language class, to responses seated in guided questions about the role of the United States government in the creation of the Panama Canal, and include a pair of Geometry questions that ask students to stretch their understanding of the proofs they have been working on in class. Regardless of the form of assignments, they all share the following traits: 1) homework is intended to serve a bridge from the classroom to home; its purpose is to extend, to gauge, and to help students to demonstrate their understanding of the topics with which they are presented in class; 2) homework assignments help guides to have a better understanding of students’ emergent knowledge as well as the gaps in their understanding; 3) homework, and students’ engagement with it, help guides to better understand where and how to focus classroom time with the intention of making deeper connections to discipline-related concepts within the class period.

  • What is the dress code?

    We value the process of identity formation and self-expression. We expect our students to dress in a way that reflects our reverence for the learning process and for our Purpose, Promise, and Principles. Nothing should be worn that is discriminatory or makes other community members feel unsafe. For safety reasons, shoes should be worn at all times when moving around campus. When a guide or staff member finds a student dressed inappropriately, they can choose to either talk to the student privately or send the student to the Division Director.

    We also highly recommend dressing for the weather--heat, cold, rain, sun.

  • Will my student need a laptop for middle and high school?

    Yes, Headwaters School is a Bring-Your-Own-Device school. Students will use a laptop computer to work on assignments and to view communications from their guides. Students are required to have a charged laptop and charger with them every day.

  • When can I drop-off and pick-up my students?

    All students are welcome to campus at 8 a.m. Middle School students will make their way to their first class at 8:15 a.m., and high school students will be able to have a study period, clubs, or social time. High School classes officially begin at 9:35 a.m. (students are not required to be on campus before then).

    Campus opens at 8 a.m. and Middle Schoolers have their first class at 8:15 a.m. Middle schoolers end their school day at 2:55 p.m. After school, we offer additional after-school programs like athletics, auxiliary classes, and Guided Study for students. All middle school students not participating in one of those options must be picked up by 3:15 p.m. We do not allow middle schoolers to be unsupervised on campus once school ends, this includes waiting for a sibling on the high school schedule, as well as waiting for the shuttle to depart at 4:30 p.m. Guided Study goes until 4:30 p.m.

    When high school students end their day at 4:15, there will also be athletics and other groups/clubs meeting until about 5:30 p.m. If a high school student is not participating in any organized after-school activities, all high school students must be picked up by 4:30 p.m.

  • Can you tell me more about the campus?

    Located in downtown Austin at 807 Rio Grande Street, our River Campus is home to our Middle and High School programs.

    Each of our eight River Campus buildings is full of unique character, housing classrooms and administrative offices. The Middle and High School programs share the entire campus, though they have a staggered schedule. Middle School classes run from 8:20 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and High School classes run from 9:40 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

    Our River Campus classes take advantage of our downtown location. We are close to UT Austin, the Austin Recreation Center, parks, museums, the Central Library, and so much more. We love to use the city as a classroom.

  • What if my student does not attend Elementary School at Headwaters, and enters in 6th grade or 9th grade? Is there space, and will he/she fit in if the kids have all been educated together in the lower years?

    Approximately 1/3 of our 6th grade class will be filled with students who have matriculated from our Elementary program. Approximately ½ of our 9th grade class will be filled with students who have matriculated from our Middle School. Therefore, it’s quite easy for new applicants to transfer in at the 6th and 9th grade levels since those are beginning years of those programs. We find that new students are always welcomed with open arms and open hearts.

  • How many students are in a class and a grade?

    Our average class size is 16 students. We have 30 to 40 students in each grade level.

  • What is a typical day like?

    School starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:55 p.m. We have early drop-off for no additional fee at 8:00 a.m. Sports practices, theater rehearsals, and choir practices take place after school. Unless they are involved in one of these activities, students should be picked up by 4:15 p.m.

  • What classes do students take?

    All students take six classes per year: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Language, and an Arts of their choice. For physical education, Middle School students take a daily PE class Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and a series of wellness seminars on Wednesday. High School students are required to earn a physical activity credit each year through our school sports program, the Outdoor Leadership program, or activities in the community. High School students also take courses College Planning as well as various electives. Every student participates in an advisory curriculum to foster character development; earns yearly community service hours; and executes an independent project with extensive planning requirements, practical experience, and a presentation in our Project Fair.

  • Is the Middle and High School a Montessori program?

    Our 11th and 12th grade program is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, and our 6th through 10th grades are influenced by both Montessori and IB.

Links

Learn More From Other Parents

Earlier this year we hosted conversations for each of our programs that connected current parents with prospective parents. View these sessions at the following links:

Keep Exploring

Spring Campus

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Creek Campus

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River Campus

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As a 501(c)3 non-profit school, Headwaters School does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other classes protected by federal, state, or local law in its admissions, financial aid, hiring, or board membership processes.