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Very Good

#15 of 60 private schools in MT

Top 23% of private schools

Headwaters Academy

Middle School

1005 DURSTON RD, Bozeman, MT 59715

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 18 schools in Bozeman. Learn more

Enrollment

94

Student-Teacher

8.5:1

Score

7.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Bozeman

#3 of 7

public schools

Montana middle schools

#2 of 6

Academic performance

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Headwaters Academy

Headwaters Academy serves students in grades six through eight in Bozeman, Montana, within Gallatin County, operating in a remote town setting at the edge of the Northern Rockies. The school enrolls 94 students and employs 11 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 8.5 to 1 that supports an engaged and personalized middle school experience. No standardized test score data or MySchoolScout rating is currently available for this school.

Located in the 59715 ZIP code, the surrounding community has a median household income of $76,708 and a median home value of $692,500. The ZIP population is approximately 39,061 residents, with 67 percent holding a bachelor's degree or higher and a poverty rate of 15.1 percent, reflecting the mix of high-income professionals and lower-wage service workers that characterizes rapidly growing Western resort and college towns. Bozeman's breathtaking setting at the foot of the Bridger Mountains, combined with Montana State University's intellectual influence and a booming technology sector, gives Headwaters Academy an energetic and intellectually engaged community for its middle school students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 94 students, Headwaters Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, Headwaters Academy offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Headwaters Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$22,177
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$20,225
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.91x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
70%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$11.4M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 94 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Headwaters Academy compares to 9 public schools serving similar grades in Bozeman, MT

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
This School
vs
14.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
94
This School
vs
230
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.4
This School
vs
7.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 91.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 6.4% vs 0%
Headwaters Academy Bozeman Public Avg

Nearby Middle Schools

School Rating
Headwaters Academy (this school) 7.4
Bozeman Online Charter School 6.0
Chief Joseph Middle School 6.6
Sacajawea Middle School 7.2
LaMotte 6-8
Monforton 6-8 6.7
Anderson School 8.5
Anderson 7-8 7.7
Cottonwood School
Malmborg School

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MT.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 16%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B+ 6.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 94
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MT

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 91.5%
Hispanic 6.4%
Two or More 2.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1005 DURSTON RD, Bozeman, MT 59715

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Headwaters Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sacajawea Middle School (rated 7.2/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Chief Joseph Middle School (rated 6.6/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bozeman, see our Bozeman schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Whittier School Bozeman 0.3 mi 5.1
Bozeman High School Bozeman 0.4 mi 7.7
Bozeman Online Charter School Bozeman 0.6 mi 6.0
Irving School Bozeman 0.9 mi 6.7
PEAK POTENTIAL Bozeman 0.7 mi
LEARNING CIRCLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bozeman 1.2 mi
Longfellow School Bozeman 1.1 mi 8.4
Hawthorne School Bozeman 1.0 mi 5.4
Emily Dickinson School Bozeman 1.0 mi 6.3
EMERGE PRIVATE SCHOOL Bozeman 1.8 mi 3.7
BOZEMAN FIELD SCHOOL Bozeman 1.9 mi
BOZEMAN FIELD SCHOOL Bozeman 1.9 mi
BOZEMAN SUMMIT SCHOOOL Bozeman 1.4 mi 7.0
Morning Star School Bozeman 2.4 mi 5.2
Hyalite Elementary Bozeman 1.9 mi 6.4
Sacajawea Middle School Bozeman 3.0 mi 7.2
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bozeman 2.3 mi 5.2
Chief Joseph Middle School Bozeman 2.5 mi 6.6
Meadowlark Elementary Bozeman 2.4 mi 5.3
GREAT BEGINNINGS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bozeman 3.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 59715 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,000

Median Home Value

$755,300

Median Rent

$1,376/mo

Population

39,275

College Educated

67.7%

Homeownership

55.9%

Avg Commute

16 min

Poverty Rate

15.1%

Median Age

30.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Headwaters Academy has a median household income of $85,000. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $755,300, with a median rent of $1,376/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.1%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Shelby 7-8 Shelby, MT 7.5
Plains 7-8 Plains, MT 7.3
Malta 6-7-8 Malta, MT 7.6
Culbertson Junior High Culbertson, MT 7.2
Elysian Middle School Billings, MT 7.7
Ennis 7-8 Ennis, MT 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Headwaters Academy

What grades does Headwaters Academy serve?

Headwaters Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Headwaters Academy?

Headwaters Academy has an enrollment of approximately 94 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Headwaters Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Headwaters Academy is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Headwaters Academy rank in MT?

Headwaters Academy is ranked #15 out of 60 private schools in MT.

What is Headwaters Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Headwaters Academy has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Headwaters Academy a private school?

Yes, Headwaters Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Headwaters Academy a religious school?

No, Headwaters Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
27 Some Transit
Bike Score
71 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,212/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bozeman). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
94
Gender Split
49% M / 51% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Remote Town
County
GALLATIN
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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