Very Good
#15 of 60 private schools in MT
Top 23% of private schools
Headwaters Academy
Middle School
1005 DURSTON RD, Bozeman, MT 59715
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
Enrollment
94
Student-Teacher
8.5:1
Score
7.4
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Headwaters Academy compares to 9 public schools serving similar grades in Bozeman, MT
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (406) 585-9997
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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