TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE
Curriculum and Class Sequence
Headwaters Academy focuses on the core subjects of mathematics, science, history, English, foreign language, music and the arts.

In 6th grade, all students would take courses in each core subject with the exception of foreign language. At the 7th and 8th grade level, foreign language is included. All students are also enrolled in outdoor education, P.E. and music.

Class Size
We attempt to hold each class (outside of P.E., music and outdoor ed) to no more than twelve students in order to provide the focused, highly participatory and individualized teaching in which we believe. At Headwaters there is no back row: each student is expected to share in classroom discussions and projects.

Daily Schedule
Classes meet for a minimum of 225 minutes each week. Monday-Thursday the Academy utilizes "block" periods. The block scheduling permits classes to take advantage of in-depth discussions and educational opportunities often impossible within typical 50 minute class sessions, such as mini field trips, tours and laboratory work.

Extra-curricular Activities
There are a variety of lunch time and after school activities for students. These have included ice skating, photography workshops, yearbook, fly-tying instruction, white-water rafting, and trips to area hot springs and concerts. Students may also participate in all Bozeman School District middle school extra-curricular activities, including middle school sports.

Field Study Tour - FST
Each year we send our students on an optional teacher-supervised, off-campus experience for approximately one week. Students generally travel to various in-state and regional locations. While these trips are a great deal of fun for students, the focus is on providing experiential education and community service. Each student must give a graded presentation on an aspect of the tour following the trip.

TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP
Outdoor Education
Our Outdoor Education program meets approximately nine days each semester. The goal of the program is to teach students life-long outdoor skills and to develop leadership, motivation and provide a unique venue for learning by taking advantage of the incredible natural resources in the Bozeman area. Students are placed in charge of small groups of other students to organize and lead activities with the supervision of the Outdoor Ed teachers. Recent activities have included camping, canoeing, backpacking, snow shoeing, hiking, and downhill and Nordic skiing.

While the focus of Outdoor Education is on leadership development, these classes also present valuable opportunities for experiential education involving environmental issues and connecting principles taught in the academic subject areas. We find that the self-confidence and personal growth that takes place as a result of the Outdoor Ed experience is reflected in a student's classroom performance. One day of Outdoor Ed is devoted to community service, where students have taken part in Habitat for Humanity projects, building a bluebird trail, and spending time with older adults.