Headwaters 25th Anniversary

A community shaped by curiosity,
purpose, and possibility.

For 25 years, Headwaters has been a place of academic excellence where students are known, challenged, and inspired to lead with intention. What began as a bold idea has grown into a thriving learning community—one shaped by educators, families, alumni, and students who believe school should prepare young people not just for what’s next, but for who they are becoming.

Marking The Moment

2026

	Fall Fest October 17, 2026 Join us for Headwaters’ annual Fall Fest, a beloved community celebration for students, families, alumni, and friends. Enjoy games, food, music, and festive activities for all ages, hosted on our Creek campus at 9607 Brodie Lane. It’s a joyful way to connect with the community and celebrate the season together.

	Young Alumni Event December 15, 2026 Recent Headwaters graduates are invited back to campus for an evening of connection and conversation. This gathering is designed especially for young alumni, including those under 21, to reconnect with classmates, visit familiar spaces, and catch up with the community. AND it’s right after our Winter MS/HS Concert!
2027

	Alumni Networking Event January 12, 2027 Headwaters alumni are invited to a 21+ networking event hosted locally in Austin. Connect with fellow graduates across classes, share professional experiences, and build new relationships within the alumni community.

	Prom, Reimagined February 19, 2027 Promavera is Headwaters’ signature annual fundraiser and an adults-only evening of celebration for the entire school community. Inspired by prom through the decades, guests are invited to dress for their favorite prom era and enjoy a lively night of music, community, and giving. This unforgettable event supports the programs and experiences that make a Headwaters education possible.

	709 Ribbon Cutting Spring 2027 Celebrate the opening of Headwaters’ newest learning space at 709 Rio Grande. This special event marks the debut of our arts-focused building, designed to expand creative opportunities for students. Join us as we officially open the doors and share this exciting new chapter for our school.

	High School Commencement May 21, 2027 Join us as we celebrate the Headwaters Class of 2027 at our High School Commencement ceremony. This meaningful, student-driven event features student speakers and performances and reflects the unique voices of the graduating class. All members of the community are welcome to attend and honor this milestone together.

Where It Started

Four Headwaters School students sit together at a picnic table outdoors, smiling and leaning close during the Forward.

Our Roots In the 2001-2002 school year, The Khabele School and Primavera Montessori were both founded by separate groups of educators who wanted to do school differently. The two schools shared a common vision for a learning environment that would contribute to a more peaceful world in the wake of 9/11. After merging in 2011, the school renamed itself in 2016 to Headwaters School. Read more about our history here

Primary students sit on the floor at circle time on the Primavera Campus.

Our PACT The PACT reflects both the learning outcomes we aspire to and the world we hope to create. Today, everyone is invited to be a Peacemaker, Advocate, Creator, and Thinker.

Head of School Ted Graf speaking at our elementary end-of-year ceremony, Gates of Life

Our Approach To Learning “We do education with students, not to them,” Head of School Ted Graf often shares with families. A Headwaters School education prepares students through excellent teaching and meaningful learning at every stage of a young person’s development. In 2014, we became one of the first Austin schools to introduce the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, an education model that fosters compassionate global citizens and lifelong learners. In 2026, we introduced the IB Middle Years Program, making Headwaters a uniquely Montessori to IB School.

The IB program felt like a natural extension of Montessori values. Having an emphasis on being self-guided, interdisciplinary, and international-minded aligns with both educational programs. Stella M., Class of 2025

Young students in colorful dresses throw confetti and celebrate together outdoors during a Primary graduation celebration at Headwaters School.

Our Future At Headwaters, students and guides continue to ask thoughtful questions about what will be needed for tomorrow—in the classroom and in the world.

Four young children playing outdoors on a playground, with two children on swings, one child holding a red ball overhead, and another scooping gravel.

The Next Chapter As we look toward the next 25 years and beyond, we do so with both gratitude and bold intention.
Our strategic vision centers on renewing and stewarding our campuses, ensuring that every space reflects the teaching and learning excellence within it. We will deepen our robust and joyful student experience, continuing to nurture our students’ curiosity, character, and connection. And we will strengthen the rich, student-centered academics that challenge young people to think critically, create confidently, and engage meaningfully with the world around them

Headwaters School began with a shared vision for an education rooted in student-led exploration, inquiry, and discovery.

Explore our origin story

Guides hold a “Once a Cardinal, Always a Cardinal” sign while young students sit together on the classroom floor during an end-of-year gathering at Headwaters School called Gates of Life.

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 Current K-1 Guide

Group of students and staff gathered on the steps outside The Khabele School building, early 2000s.

Students and faculty gathered in the early 2000s

Primary-aged students gathered in a classroom, posing in front of a large painted mural of the Earth and stars.

Primary students with hand-painted Earth classroom mural

Where It Started

Headwaters School began with a shared vision for an education rooted in student-led exploration, inquiry, and discovery

Explore Our History

The Next Chapter

As we begin the next chapter, we will renew our campuses, deepen joyful student experiences, and strengthen academics that inspire curiosity, character, creativity, and thoughtful engagement with an ever-changing world.

Support Headwaters School

elementary student watering plants in the school garden next to a 'let nature be your teacher' sign.

Rooted & Rising

Our innovative program has outgrown the current River Campus, limiting the flexibility, creativity, and inspiration our guides and students need. Inside the historic house at 709 Rio Grande, we will create a sense of arrival and possibility, with intentionally designed spaces for arts and technology that give a new voice to our students. And for the first time in our history, Headwaters will have an outdoor space designed for all-school gatherings and student collaboration.

Learn More

Headwaters School Endowment

Eli Floyd and Eli Jones, both members of the Class of 2024, launched the school’s first-ever endowment. Gifts of all sizes provide sustainable support for our students, faculty, and programs that will last for generations.

Learn More

Building the
Future
Together

The next chapter of Headwaters is one of thoughtful evolution. With your help, we can invest in the environments, programs, and people that will ensure our students can thrive today and lead with purpose tomorrow.

Support Headwaters

Headwaters 25th Anniversary | 25 Years of Headwaters School | Austin Montessori to IB Education

A community shaped by curiosity,
purpose, and possibility.