Headwaters Academy

I have to really disagree with the one-star rating of a previous parent who rated Headwaters. Our son has found a great balance of a lot of things at Headwaters including a challenging academic setting. It has not been handed to him though. He has been taught (at this school) to show a lot of initiative, speak up in class and ask for help when he has needed it. He has also learned a TON socially, party because it is so small! There is no finding kids just like you and hanging out with only them at this school. The small size means you have to learn to work with and socialize with who is there and it has greatly increased my son's curiosity and tolerance and appreciation for people who are different than him. I cannot say enough good things about this school. Our son will be going to high school with a leg up. He will be ready to negotiate the next steps with maturity and focus and enthusiasm.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is small and that is not for everyone, we are exclusive and highly selective in the type of student accepted. Small class sizes are a tremendous advantage and allow us to get to know our students, to learn their academic strengths and weakness so that we may appropriately challenge and support them. Students can't hide in the back here nor do they slip through the cracks. Middle school years are often ones where students feel uncertain of themselves and vulnerable. HWA students develop mentor-like relationships with a dedicated and intelligent staff. We provide stability, support, and consistently high expectations to foster a positive sense of self to carry into the next (often tumultuous) stage of education, high school. Furthermore, because we are small, the students develop close relationships with one another that last. True, your student may not learn to be a social butterfly here; however, they will learn how to develop real relationships, to resolve conflicts, and work closely with others with mutual respect.
—Submitted by a teacher

This school actually really helped my student's social growth. They were able to really work with other students at a small group level which made them more confident and able to speak up. They left Headwaters with the ability to communicate in groups, express themselves, play an instrument, construct amazing artistic creations, put up a tent, cook a dinner, speak a language, etc. I was very impressed with the school.
—Submitted by a parent

I cannot recommend this school to other parents. My child found that the class sizes were too small to offer any social growth and that the course content in all the classes was not as intellectually stimulating as had been promised by the school staff. The benefits of the small size of this school are greatly outweighed by the lack of a meaningful, comprehensive curriculum balanced with an art,music and extra-curricular program like that which is offered by the surrounding public schools at no charge.
—Submitted by a parent