What Headwaters Academy (Middle School) does

Headwaters Academy is a private, independent, nonprofit middle school located in Bozeman, Montana, serving approximately 100 students in grades 6-8 with a faculty and staff of 17 educators. Founded around 1989, the school has operated for over 35 years delivering a combination of rigorous academic coursework (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, Art, Physical Education, Seminars) and experiential education including outdoor education, field study travel (domestic and international), and project-based learning. Students reportedly enter Spanish II as freshmen, and the school places students by math readiness rather than grade level. The Headwaters Academy, Inc. is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Head of School Sara Driscoll, Executive Director Marianne Wright, and Associate Head of School Heather Swanson.

The school's revenue model is tuition-driven, with 2026-2027 annual tuition set at $18,500 covering nearly all program expenses including outdoor education trips, ski days, and 6th/7th grade field study. A philanthropic annual giving program (The Headwaters Fund) supplements tuition and funds more than $100,000 in need-based financial aid reaching approximately 25% of enrolled students. Supplemental revenue includes a branded merchandise storefront ($25-$50 per item) and ~$3,500 8th grade field study fees partially offset by parent organization fundraising. Financial aid administration is supported by ACE Scholarships, Montana's Educational Tax Credit Program, and SSS by NAIS.

The go-to-market is a direct admissions process: applications open in October for the following school year, with an admissions manager handling inquiries and tours. Distribution is single-campus and single-geography (Bozeman, MT). Marketing channels include the school's website, Instagram, Facebook, parent organization referrals, and word-of-mouth. The technology stack comprises standard educational platforms: Google Classroom (assignments), Blackbaud (grades), FACTS (student information, re-enrollment, family directory, financial agreements), and GiveCampus (donations). Strategic partnerships include Montana Wilderness School (expeditionary outdoor education), Montana Outdoor Science Academy (7th grade weeklong program), Homestake Lodge (6th grade Montana history), and Crosscut (backpacking and outdoor skills).

Name

Headwaters Academy (Middle School)

Legal name

The Headwaters Academy, Inc.

Website

https://headwatersacademy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Headwaters Academy is a private, independent nonprofit middle school in Bozeman, Montana, serving nearly 100 students in grades 6-8 with 17 educators through a tuition-driven ($18,500/year) model that combines rigorous academics with experiential outdoor and field study education, supported by philanthropic giving.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Middle School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

Keywords

• Private middle school education
• Experiential outdoor education
• Middle school curriculum
• Field study programs
• Independent school tuition

Headquarters

HQ city

Bozeman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Annual tuition for 2026-2027 is $18,500. Tuition covers nearly all expenses including fall and spring outdoor education trips, ski days, and 6th and 7th grade field study travel.
2. The Headwaters Fund (Philanthropy): Annual giving program that funds 25% of students who receive financial assistance, prioritizes faculty and staff, and creates educational experiences. School relies on philanthropic contributions to continue offering robust programming and support exceptional educators.
3. School Store (Merchandise): Online storefront selling branded merchandise including hoodies, sweatshirts, and hats ranging from $25-$50.
4. 8th Grade Field Study Fee: 8th grade field study travel is generally around $3,500, with approximately $1,000 supplemented by fundraising conducted by the Headwaters Parent Organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Headwaters Academy is a private, independent middle school in Bozeman, Montana serving approximately 100 students in grades 6-8 with 17 educators. The school delivers a comprehensive academic curriculum (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, PE, Spanish, Seminars) integrated with experiential and outdoor education, including field study travel (local, regional, and international), backpacking, camping, and skiing. Tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year is $18,500, covering nearly all expenses including outdoor education trips.

Product overview

Headwaters Academy is a private, independent middle school (grades 6-8) in Bozeman, MT serving approximately 100 students with a team of 17 educators. The school offers a comprehensive educational program combining rigorous academic inquiry with experiential learning, outdoor education, and field study. Core offerings include the academic curriculum (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, PE, Spanish, Seminars), experiential education components (Outdoor Education, Field Study), and a partnership with Montana Wilderness School. The school operates a merchandise store for branded apparel. Tuition for 2026-2027 is $18,500, with over $100,000 in annual need-based financial aid awarded. Headwaters has been serving families for over 35 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Middle School Education Program (Grades 6-8) Core private middle school education for grades 6-8 combining academic curriculum with experiential and outdoor learning for motivated learners. Delivered by 17 educators to a student body of nearly 100.
• Tuition Program (2026-2027: $18,500) Annual tuition enrollment priced at $18,500 for the 2026-2027 academic year, covering nearly all expenses including fall and spring outdoor education trips, ski days, and 6th and 7th grade field study travel.
• Need-Based Financial Aid Program Need-based grant program providing more than $100,000 annually in awards to approximately 25% of students, funded through tuition and The Headwaters Fund. Uses SSS by NAIS for financial aid recommendations and participates in ACE Scholarships and Montana's Educational Tax Credit Program.
• Outdoor Education Program Conservation education program featuring backpacking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing, and snow science with expedition skills development, integrated into the academic year for all grades.
• Field Study Program Year-end place-based educational travel program with local, regional, and overseas trips: 8th graders travel to Ecuador or Mexico, 7th graders attend Montana Outdoor Science Academy, and 6th graders explore Montana history from Homestake Lodge.
• Seminars Program (Multi-Grade Electives) Multi-grade elective block featuring faculty-led and outside-educator-led workshops in Art, STEM, Outdoor Pursuits, Community Leadership & Civic Engagement, Health & Wellness, and Academic Enrichment.
• School Merchandise Store Online storefront selling branded Headwaters Academy apparel and merchandise including hoodies ($40-$48), varsity sweatshirts ($50), and trucker hats ($25-$27).

Quantifiable outcome

• Students develop intermediate Spanish proficiency, entering Spanish II freshman year of high school
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Montana Wilderness SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeadwaters Academy and Montana Wilderness School share a belief in learning that is rigorous, relational, and rooted in real experience. While one program is rooted in academic inquiry and the other in expeditionary field experience, both are aligned in values of intellectual curiosity, leadership, responsibility, and connection to the world. The 2026-2027 year focuses on strengthening this partnership with priorities including clarity of program identity, relationship-based outreach, instructor support, and listening closely to families.
• Montana Outdoor Science AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner7th grade students visit Montana Outdoor Science Academy for a weeklong program that challenges them geographically, culturally, and physically. MOSA provides learner-centered practices implemented by teachers who are lifelong learners. Their approach is place-based, connecting learning with community, and they teach to state and national science standards including NGSS.
• Homestake LodgeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner6th grade students explore Butte and Helena as part of their Montana history field study, based out of Homestake Lodge. The program covers western mining history, railroads, Montana legislature, and Montana's twelve tribal nations.
• Montana Wilderness School and CrosscutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUpper grades partner with Montana Wilderness School and Crosscut for backpacking, outdoor skills, and team-building activities.
• ACE ScholarshipsminorOthersACE Scholarships is a nonprofit organization that raises money from donors and awards financial scholarships to students from low-income families. To qualify, families must meet income requirements for the federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program.
• SSS by NAISminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe financial aid review committee uses SSS (School and Student Services) by NAIS, a third-party system that formulates financial aid recommendations for Headwaters Academy. Families complete an application including income, assets, and liabilities, and SSS computes an estimated family contribution toward tuition.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Langley School: Independent K-8 school in McLean, VA with small class sizes and experiential learning emphasis. Comparable independent-school operating model, tuition scale, and parent-driven culture.
• The Woods Academy: Independent Catholic K-8 school in Bethesda, MD with strong community and small class sizes. Comparable in scale, grade range, and tuition-driven model.
• Sage School: Private K-8 school in Bozeman, MT offering project-based and experiential learning. Overlapping customer base and pedagogical philosophy in the same local market.
• The Brown School: Private, independent K-8 school located in Bozeman, MT. Closest direct peer: same city, same age band, similar independent-school positioning and small class sizes.
• Cottonwood Day School: Independent K-8 day school in Bozeman, MT with outdoor and experiential learning components. Comparable in size, geography, and mission to Headwaters Academy.

Broad incumbents

• Sidwell Friends School: Elite independent K-12 school in Washington, D.C. with experiential and outdoor education components. Comparable premium independent-school model, though at much greater scale and with a national profile.
• Park School of Baltimore: Independent, progressive K-12 school in Baltimore with project-based and experiential pedagogy. Comparable in educational philosophy and small-class model, though significantly larger.

Others

• NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School): Global wilderness education provider headquartered in Lander, WY. Not a school, but a key outdoor education partner/competitor in the region and aligned with Headwaters's experiential philosophy.

Regional players

• Bridger Charter Academy: Charter school in Bozeman offering K-8 education with an outdoor/experiential orientation. Competes for the same middle-school families in Bozeman, though publicly funded.

Emerging players

• The Mountain School (Vershire, VT): Semester-based experiential program for high schoolers on a working farm in Vermont. Comparable outdoor/experiential learning philosophy and partner-style programming, though at a different age band.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/headwatersacademy.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/headwaters.academy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/headwaters-academy-middle-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Headwaters Academy (Middle School)