Four middle school students smiling and sitting together at a blue picnic table outside on campus

Middle School
at Headwaters School

A community that fosters
courageous self-expression
and a deep love of learning.

Headwaters Middle School is a supportive and constructive environment where students explore their passions while growing in independence. Guided by the principles of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, our curriculum builds on Montessori foundations through engaged, inquiry-driven learning that helps students connect academic concepts to the world around them. MYP is a natural extension of our student-centered approach and strengthens the thoughtful, interdisciplinary teaching already at the heart of our Middle School program.

Montessori to IB Interconnected, age-appropriate lessons rooted in Montessori teaching lay the foundation for the structured exploration that drives our International Baccalaureate curriculum, beginning with the Middle Years Program in 6th grade.

Project-based Learning Every year, students pursue a personal project on a topic and format of their choosing. The process is an avenue for exploring their passions and career interests, and developing their planning and organizational skills.

Support Structure Middle School is a time of transition and self-exploration, and our advisory curriculum sets them up for academic and personal success. Students learn to set goals, advocate for themselves, and take part in community dialogue.

Leadership Development Our campus culture gives space for student voices. Middle School students will find several opportunities to grow their leadership experience and shape the direction of the school.

Intention Setting We don’t simply impart knowledge but help students make meaning from it. Every class begins with a moment of intention-setting and ends with time to debrief, share observations, and reflect on the learning process.

Curriculum

Signature Learning Experiences

guide helping a middle school student hold a camera outdoors.

Purposeful Work Each year, students design and complete a self-directed project rooted in their interests. Through research, creation, and reflection, they develop initiative, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose.

middle school student solving a problem on the whiteboard with a teacher looking on.

Let Student Lead Students take the lead in shaping their learning—setting goals, managing long-term projects, and reflecting on their growth along the way.

two middle school students smiling with an arm around each other in the classroom.

Connection Experiences are rooted in real contexts, helping students connect their work to their community and the wider world.

middle school students working together in the science lab with their teacher.

Growth Students build essential skills like organization, communication, and problem-solving through sustained, meaningful work.

Learning
in action

Our signature experiences are designed to help students apply what they’re learning in meaningful, real-world contexts. Through projects, local exploration, and collaborative work, students build confidence, think independently, and make connections that extend beyond the classroom.

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Student Life
and Enrichment
that shapes the
whole Student

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Curiosity Beyond
the Classroom

Headwaters School is just blocks away from Austin’s government offices, the business district, parks, museums, and cultural sites—and we take full advantage.

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Group of middle school students tossing a ball together outside on campus.

I love the opportunities that students have to get involved in the school, not many places are like that, and I really like being able to be an active leader.
Rebecca A.

From Local
To Global

Headwaters School is just blocks away from Austin’s government offices, the business district, parks, museums, and cultural sites—and we take full advantage.

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Middle school students and teacher exploring wooded trail during outdoor education.

City as Classroom

From trails to city spaces, students learn by doing—navigating challenges, collaborating, and building resilience through real-world experiences.

Costa Rica

Daily Spanish lesson, homestays, and outdoor adventures deepen students’ global understanding

Small Steps
in Austin
Big Steps Beyond

Snapshots of student life, learning, and community in action.

Middle school student pouring gravel during service project in Costa Rica.

I learned that even small work can matter a lot to someone else.
Middle School Student

Headwaters middle school volleyball team competing during a game in the gym.

Hawks Bring the Heat

Hawks athletics thrived this year, with Middle School Volleyball and Basketball leading with teamwork, resilience, and a strong playoff run.

Healthy
Competition

Middle and High School athletics are open to all and
encourage sportsmanship, teamwork and a love of the game.

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Athletics

Challenge With Purpose

Each season opens with a trial period so any interested student can try the sport, no experience required. Middle School athletes commit to their team by signing the Student Athlete Code of Conduct.

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Middle school flag football team poses for a group photo.

I tried a sport I’d never played before—and ended up loving it.
Middle School Student

Middle school students painting mural together outdoors on campus.

Studio Art

Create murals and portraits through collaborative projects, building skills in composition, research, and design while developing artistic voice and technical technique.

Creative
Expression

In our fine arts program, students learn how to give voice to their thoughts and feelings while developing their creative problem-solving skills.

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Group of middle school students passing a volleyball during outdoor play on campus.

Thank you, Headwaters School, for teaching both our kids the confidence to make something happen if you want it and allowing them to grow in ways I never could have imagined! Headwaters Parent

Teacher helping middle school students analyze a text together during class.

A Framework
for Thinking

The IB Middle Years Programme builds critical thinking, connection, and purpose, helping students learn how to learn—not just what to know.

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What Families
Notice First

The Headwaters culture is built around student-led exploration and creativity, with support from teachers whose approach to excellence is defined by both challenge and growth.

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Joy-centered Learning

We foster an environment where students can take risks, make mistakes, and maintain their spark.

Teachers Know Students Deeply

Our guides build relationships with each student and care about the whole child.

Curious and Connected

Students learn best when they’re engaged and see connections to the world around them.

Middle School | middle-schoolMiddle School in Austin | IB MYP Program | Headwaters School

Middle School