Admissions

International Applicants

International Program at Headwaters

We have had students come from all over the world to study at Headwaters: China, Germany, South Korea, France, Mexico, Turkey, Vietnam, Greece, Ecuador, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia, England, and more!

We work with independent international student applicants as well as those represented by an educational placing agency or educational consultant. Headwaters School does not pay commissions to any educational agencies or consultants. In accordance with the guidelines of the IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association), we expect that all compensation to such consultants is that which has been agreed upon by the agency and the family engaging its services.

Headwaters School is an International Baccalaureate school with a demanding curriculum. We expect that our international students will have sufficient English language proficiency to be successful in mainstream classes in all core subject areas. This means that all international students take standard courses in English, Math, Science, History and Art. Our classrooms are vibrant spaces that require students and teachers alike to engage in lively discourse. Many class assignments are discussion based and/or writing intensive.

We use a student’s application portfolio to help determine whether or not the student is a good fit for our community. While we have established minimum score requirements for standardized tests of the English Language, these scores are just one piece of the criteria used to evaluate a candidate’s suitability for admission. We require a Zoom interview for applicants who are unable to come to visit campus in person.

Contact the Admissions Office

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about our online inquiry or application forms!

Phone: 512-623-5406   
Email: admissions@headwaters.org

Admissions Office Mailing Address:
807 Rio Grande St., Austin, Texas 78701

International Student Tuition & Fees

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  • Base Tuition

    $28,400
    (includes international student fee)

  • Fees

    Annual Enrollment Fee: $1,650
    New Student Fee: $1,650
    IB Fee (11th/12th Grade): $1,100
    Facilities Fee: $700
    Tuition Insurance: $300

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  • Additional Fees for International Students

    In addition to the tuition and fees paid by all Headwaters students, International Students must pay an International Fee of $6,000 per year; this fee is not pro-rated for students who come for less than a year.

    International students must have medical coverage during their stay in Austin. If proof of coverage is not provided to Headwaters School by the stated deadline, international students will be enrolled in Headwaters School’s preferred health insurance plan and the student will be charged associated fees and program costs.

    All Headwaters students must also have a laptop computer or netbook (and appropriate charger) to bring with them to school each day.

International Admissions Process

The International Admissions Process is very similar to the regular admissions process. The steps are as follows:

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  • Step 1

    Complete the Application for Admission online and pay the $100 application fee.

  • Step 2

    Upload:
    • a copy of the student’s transcripts (translated to English)
    • a copy of the score report from a standardized English proficiency exam (SLEP, TOEFL, or IELTS)
    Minimum Testing Requirements:
    
Grade 9: SLEP 48 IELTS4.0 TOEFL PB 450 ***ESL Support Class
    Grade 10: SLEP 50 IELTS 4.5 TOEFL PB 475 ***ESL Support Class
    Grade 11: SLEP 55 IELTS 6.0 TOEFL PB 550 no additional ESL support
    Grade 12: SLEP 60 IELTS 6.5 TOEFL PB 575 no additional ESL support
    ***IELTS level below 5.0 indicates additional English study would be necessary to successfully complete a linguistically demanding course.

  • Step 3

    Student’s current Math Teacher & English Teacher fill out online evaluations. The student may also choose to have a Personal Recommendation Form completed. These will be linked to through the application site.

  • Step 4

    Admissions conducts a Skype interview with the student online.

  • Step 5

    Student will be emailed a writing prompt (at the end of the Skype interview) and given 60 minutes to respond (without coaching or editing.)

  • Step 6

    Once all application materials are submitted and the interview is complete, the Admissions staff reviews the student’s application materials and decides whether the student has been accepted.

  • Step 7

    Family receives an email of admissions status. If accepted, family is asked to complete the enrollment contract and within two weeks to let Headwaters know if the student intends to enroll.

  • Step 8

    Family pays an Enrollment Fee to hold the student’s space at Headwaters. Family must also provide certification of finances demonstrating sufficient resources to cover tuition, fees and living expenses for the duration of enrollment (minimum $30,000.00 per year)

  • Step 9

    A few months before school begins, Headwaters issues the student an I-20 Form which allows the student to make an appointment with the American Embassy in his/her country to receive an F-1 Student Visa.
Headwaters School is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. 

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.