At Austin Academy for Excellence, students don’t just learn about global issues. They take action. Last spring, the 2023–24 sixth-grade class explored water scarcity when they read A Long Walk to Water. In true IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) fashion, they connected their literacy and social studies lessons to real-world challenges, gaining a deeper understanding of life in regions with limited access to clean water.

But their efforts didn’t stop in the classroom. As part of a schoolwide service-learning initiative, the entire Austin Academy campus partnered with Well Aware, a nonprofit dedicated to providing sustainable water solutions in areas that need them most.

In 2024, students and staff surpassed their previous fundraising total, raising $3,876 to help build a well in Mutune, Kenya. Their contribution provided a clean, reliable water source for 193 people, including students at Mutune’s Girls Primary School.

For the first time, Austin Academy raised enough funds to have a water well named after the school, marking a major milestone in its commitment to global impact.

“The most powerful moment is when students realize their work is making a real difference,” said Kelli Davis, IB Coordinator at Austin Academy. “When they see photos of the kids at the well they helped build, it becomes real. They understand that their actions have changed lives.”

While sixth graders explore water scarcity in depth through reading and studying global cultures, all grade levels participate in the fundraising effort. Since every student has previously gone through the sixth-grade program, they understand the "why" behind the initiative and remain committed to making an impact.

“This isn’t something adults planned and led, it’s powered by students,” Principal Dr. Keisha Rider said. “We set them on the path, and they take it from there. Their passion inspires us all, and seeing them step up as leaders and changemakers is truly incredible.”

Students got creative with fundraising, pledging to take shorter showers and launching campaigns to inspire friends and family to give. What started as a sixth-grade initiative has evolved into a campus-wide movement, ensuring that each new class continues the legacy of those before them.

Beyond raising money, Austin Academy students experience firsthand what it means to be global citizens. They even participate in a “water walk,” carrying heavy jugs to simulate the daily struggles many face worldwide. Through these activities, students develop empathy, leadership, and a drive to create change.

As the school gears up for its third year of participation in 2025, the goal is to raise even more funds and continue making a difference. Each well constructed by Well Aware is placed where the need is greatest, ensuring that communities, including schools for girls and those impacted by crises, gain access to life-changing resources.

“We look forward to doing the schoolwide fundraiser again this spring,” said Rider. “Every drop truly does count.”

As Austin Academy continues its unmatched journey of global impact, one thing is clear: the next generation isn’t waiting to lead; they already are.