Beloved independent Austin school serving Pre-K to grade 12 with Montessori to International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme to continue its unique program with a new identity.
(AUSTIN, TEXAS – Aug. 22, 2016) – Headwaters School is thrilled to announce the launch of their new school name on Aug. 22. Formerly The Khabele School, Headwaters School is launching the rebrand with the start of the school year and enters a new chapter in its academic legacy. Beginning with a Montessori foundation and progressing to the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme, the independent school serves students from 18 months through Grade 12. Guided by its Purpose, Promise and Principles, the school is delighted to welcome students old and new as they enter the 2016-2017 academic year. To learn more, please watch the announcement video here. For more info see www.headwaters.org.
“Schools, young and old, pass through evolutionary moments,” said Ted Graf, Head of School. “Thanks to the clarity gained through our community’s deep engagement in strategic planning work, Headwaters School will begin this next era with an unwavering commitment to cultivating identity formation, fostering empathy and embracing diversity to bring more peace to the world. We guide our students to live authentically, think expansively and create bravely.”
The name Headwaters expresses the belief in the wisdom and beauty that lies at the heart of each student. Headwaters School is grounded in the idea that each student has their own path, much like the way a river forms and is shaped by the contributions of many along the way. The school’s name itself represents the new journey that it will embark upon.
“While our name and foundational language give us a solid expression of what has always been trueabout this school, the people, operations and learning environments that make it so remarkable all remain the same,” said Ted Graf, Head of School. “It’s been an incredible first year for me at our school for many reasons. When I said ‘yes’ to becoming the new Head of the Khabele School, one of the great opportunities was for me to work with parents and faculty through the strategic planning process to find the core essence, the common thread, of what’s true and unique about this school so that we can embrace it, articulate it, and in doing so, come together as one school across three campuses.
The clear themes that emerged from that process have helped us to look deeply at our school’s foundational language, including our name. Headwaters is a new beginning for us and how we identify ourselves.”
Although the name may sound unfamiliar, Headwaters School has been an integral part of the Austin educational community for years now. Beginning with the merger of the schools previously known as Primavera Montessori School (founded in 2002) and The Khabele School (founded in 2001) back in 2011, the programs have been evolving into one school. In the spring of 2014, after a three-year candidacy, the high school was approved and launched the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme.
The new Head of School, Ted Graf, joined the school in July 2015 and took the helm on new strategic planning. Through this deep work, the school found the common themes that are true across the school, and have used those as the inspiration for new foundational language: Purpose, Promise and Principles. And from that, a new name and identity was born. On Aug. 22, the next great era for the school begins as it launches a new brand, based on the core essence of what’s true and unique about the school.
Headwaters School is located on three campuses across Austin. Headwaters will open with its largest enrollment ever at 538 students this fall. The Montessori Early Childhood Program (ages 18 months to Pre-K) is located in South Austin at 6305 Manchaca Rd. The Montessori Elementary Program (K-5th grade) is located in southwest Austin at 9607 Brodie Ln. The Middle & High School college-preparatory and International Baccalaureate program is located in downtown Austin at 801 Rio Grande St.
The schools will be hosting open houses for interested parents. All three open houses are an opportunity to visit the campus, connect with faculty members, the Head of School, Program Directors, the Admissions Director and currently enrolled students and parents. Upcoming open house times are listed below:
Middle & High School (6th to 12th Grade) Open House:
River Campus
Saturday, Oct. 22
1 to 4:30 p.m.
801 Rio Grande St.
Elementary (K to 5th Grade) Open House:
Creek Campus
Saturday, Nov. 5
9 to 10:30 a.m.
9607 Brodie Ln.
Early Childhood (18 months to Pre-K) Open House:
Springs Campus
Saturday, Nov. 5
10 to 11:30 a.m.
6305 Manchaca Rd.
At the Middle & High School Open House, guests will have the opportunity to build their own schedule and attend several sample classes taught by department heads. Aspects of the curriculum and program offerings will be presented by the Director of Studies, College Counselor, Head of Middle & High School and Head of School. Guests will also have the opportunity to connect with currently enrolled students and parents and learn more about the admissions process from the Director of Admissions. Student musicians will perform, and sports teams and various clubs will be represented.
At the Early Childhood and Elementary Open Houses, guests will have the opportunity to visit the campus, see the classrooms and explore the outdoor play areas. Montessori Guides will present different aspects of the curriculum and host Q&A sessions. The Head of School, Program Head and Director of Admissions will be in attendance, as well as some parents.
For more information on Headwaters School and the upcoming open houses, please see www.headwaters.org.
*MEDIA NOTE:
For press inquiries on Headwaters School, or to RSVP to attend an open house, please contact the team at Juice Consulting:
Heather Wagner Reed Madison Snelling
713 208 3891 210 213 8934
heather@juiceconsulting.net madison@juiceconsulting.net