Two elementary-aged students sit at an outdoor picnic table on a school campus, working together in notebooks with pencils in hand. A turquoise fence behind them features the phrase “i love headwaters

Elementary
at Headwaters School

Helping students grow into curious, capable
learners through a Montessori foundation that
supports independence, connection, and
deep academic engagement.

Rooted in Montessori, our Elementary program builds strong academic foundations through an integrated curriculum that connects disciplines and fosters curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Deep Academic Growth Students explore science, history, and culture together, making meaningful connections across disciplines through a rich, story-based curriculum.

Curriculum

Math With Depth A blend of Montessori materials and Singapore Math builds deep conceptual understanding, moving students from hands-on learning to confident abstraction.

Math

Language and Expression Reading, writing, and word study are woven into science and cultural studies, strengthening comprehension, communication, and critical thinking.

Language

Follow Your Curiosity Independent research allows students to explore their personal interests, from geography to evolution to ancient civilizations.

Curiosity

Montessori to IB Interconnected, age-appropriate lessons rooted in Montessori teaching lay the foundation for the structured exploration that drives our International Baccalaureate-based curriculum in Middle and High School.

Montessori to IB

Signature Learning Experiences

Elementary students cutting shapes and working with hands-on materials on the classroom floor.

Exploration and Discovery Students investigate big questions through hands-on discovery, connecting academic concepts to the world around them.

elementary student drawing and writing at her desk.

Independence Students take increasing ownership of their learning, developing focus, responsibility, and intrinsic motivation.

$lementary students working with fraction materials at a table with a guide.$

Peace is Paramount Students develop the skills to resolve conflict with empathy and confidence through Peace Education, building communication, self-awareness, and increasingly sophisticated tools for thoughtful problem-solving.

elementary students working with math bead materials on the floor.

Connection Learning is rooted in relationships—between subjects, ideas, and the broader world students are beginning to understand.

Where Learning
Comes to Life

Whether studying ecosystems, history, or physics, students apply their learning in real-world contexts that deepen understanding and build confidence.

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Creativity
and Exploration
Beyond the Classroom

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Specials

Art, music, gardening, and movement deepen learning, giving students space to explore creativity while reinforcing academic concepts.

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Elementary student learning about plats in a lesson with gardening guide Lucille.

I'll eat anything we grow in the garden with Lucille!
Elementary student

Outdoor
Learning in Action

From low ropes courses to guided exploration, students engage in hands-on experiences that strengthen collaboration, resilience, and problem-solving.

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Elementary students wearing green and yellow pinnies pose together on a field after a soccer game, smiling and raising their arms in celebration outdoors on campus.

Learning Beyond the School Day

After-school programs offer space to explore interests, build friendships, and continue learning through play, creativity, and skill-building.

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The Bird’s Nest

Just steps from campus, students explore natural spaces, building independence, teamwork, and confidence through outdoor challenges.

Growing 
with Purpose

In the garden, students build responsibility, curiosity, and connection
as they care for plants and experience learning firsthand.

Early Elementary students sit outdoors as guides present the First Great Lesson, exploring the Big Bang through storytelling and science demonstrations in a shared courtyard setting.

Through story and science, students explore the origins of the universe, building a foundation for understanding systems, interconnection, and their place in the world.Madeline Newchurch, Elementary Guide

K–1 students sit gathered in a darkened classroom watching a guide demonstrate the Montessori First Great Lesson with a flame experiment during a presentation on the Story of the Universe.

Cosmic Curriculum

Factual stories and scientific demonstrations introduce key concepts across science, history, and culture, building a strong foundation for understanding complex systems.

A Framework for
Understanding the World

Students explore big ideas—from the origins of the universe
to human civilization—through an interconnected, interdisciplinary
approach to learning.

Interdisciplinary
by Design

Science, history, math, and language are taught together, helping students make meaningful connections and build a deeper, more integrated understanding of the world.

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elementary students standing on mats outdoors with arms raised during a yoga class.

The Great Lessons serve as the gateway to our entire science and cultural curriculum.
Chris Larson, Elementary Guide

Elementary student works independently with Montessori geography materials, matching landform cards, and reading about mountains at a classroom table.

Science and Discovery

Students study botany, zoology, chemistry, physics, and earth science, building a strong foundation through observation, experimentation, and inquiry.

Academic Depth 
Across Disciplines

Students engage deeply across subjects, developing
strong skills in scientific thinking, mathematical reasoning,
and written and verbal communication.

elementary students collaborating at a table with a laptop and craft materials on a group project.

I love teaching here because it’s a place where children can grow all parts of themselves, not just their brains, but also their hearts. That’s my favorite thing about being here: every part of a person gets to be developed. Jen Phillips, Founder and K-1 Guide

Two elementary students sit at an outdoor table drawing colorful self-portraits with colored pencils during art class.

Peace is
Paramount

Students build empathy, communication, and conflict-resolution skills through Peace Education, learning to contribute thoughtfully to their communities.

Learn More About Our Curriculum