Incarnate Word Academy
Downtown Houston · Off I-69, next to Daikin Park
609 Crawford St, Houston, TX 77002Map ↗Established 1873
About this information
$22,800
Tuition
9–12
Grades
248
Enrollment
8:1
Student–teacher
At a glance
An all-girls Catholic college-preparatory school where every student earns two leadership credits, alongside AP, dual-credit and AP Capstone coursework, on a small downtown Houston campus.
Advanced Academics
19 AP courses plus AP Capstone and four Lone Star College dual-credit courses in grades 11-12.
Required Leadership
Two leadership credits are required to graduate, starting with Fundamentals of Leadership in freshman year.
Service Learning
75 hours of community service are required, completed by senior year.
Small All-Girls Community
About 250 students in grades 9-12 on an all-girls campus.
Tuition & financial aid
Tuition
$22,800
Estimated First-Year Required Cost
$23,500
Tuition deposit
$500
TEFA (Texas Education Freedom Account)
Payment options
Annual
Jul
Semi-annual
Jul / Dec
Monthly
Jul–Apr
Need-based aid
Average aid package $9,000; recipients complete service hours through the Service Study Program.
Merit scholarships
Average merit award $5,000. Named scholarships: Jeanne de Matel ($8,000, renewable), Bishop McCarthy ($1,500) and Bishop Rizzotto ($1,500).
Sources
Source last checked: Nov 10, 2026
Additional & conditional costs
Required and potential costs beyond published tuition
Mandatory freshman fees
Included in estimated first-year required cost
Registration fee
Non-refundable
Freshman fee (orientation camp)
Application / pre-admission costs
Not included in estimated first-year cost
Application fee
Optional / variable expenses
Not included in estimated first-year cost
Books
Annual · Bought separately; amount varies
AP/PSAT/SAT/ACT testing & extracurricular fees
Annual · Billed to the family’s tuition account based on participation
Athletic participation fee
Per athlete, before starting any sport
Sources
Source last checked: Nov 10, 2026
Admissions
Admissions Timeline
2027–28 cycle- Dec 14, 2026
Application Deadline
- Dec 15, 2026
Financial Aid Priority Deadline
- Jan 29, 2027
Supplemental Documents Deadline
- Mar 5, 2027
Decision Date
What's required
Entrance exam: ISEE
Teacher recommendations
Transcripts (6th, 7th, 1st-sem 8th)
Student Questionnaire
Visits & Events
Discover IWA Tour
Sep 18 & Oct 15, 2026
Parent only
Falcon Preview
Sep 21 & Oct 28, 2026
Student only
End Zone Rally
Oct 2, 2026 · 6:00 PM
Parent + student / Family
Sisters in Service Workshop
Oct 17, 2026
Student only
Open House
Nov 8, 2026 · 1:00 PM
Parent + student / Family
Sources
Source last checked: Nov 10, 2026
Academics
Advanced Coursework
19
AP Courses
17
Honors Courses
Dual Credit
Offered4 courses in partnership with Lone Star College: English III, English IV, U.S. Government, U.S. History
Academic Model & Programs
Young Leaders Program — Every student takes 2 required Leadership credits beginning freshman year (Fundamentals of Leadership, Service in Action, Emerging Entrepreneurs and more). Students who complete five semesters earn a Concentration in Leadership Studies on the transcript, and top students can also earn the Distinguished Leader honor.
Grading
+1.0 (Honors/AP)
Class Ranking
Not RankedGraduation Requirements
30 total creditsSources
Accommodations
Extended time • Preferential seating • Note-taking support
Academic Support
Tutoring
Good to know
As per school policy, students receiving accommodations must have a current full psychoeducational assessment from a licensed clinician. This assessment must include testing data (both cognitive and achievement) that is no more than three years old.
Sources
Source last checked: Nov 9, 2026
World Languages
French
French I • French II • French III • French IV • AP French IV
Spanish
Spanish I • Spanish II • Spanish III • Spanish IV • AP Spanish IV
Sources
Source last checked: Nov 3, 2026
Distinctive Academic Program
Young Leaders Program
Leadership Curriculum
2 Leadership credits required for graduation, including Fundamentals of Leadership (freshman year)
Leadership courses: Fundamentals of Leadership, Service in Action, Emerging Entrepreneurs, Personal Finance Management, AP Seminar, AP Research · Students apply leadership skills through service projects, running a small business, financial planning, and academic research; Emerging Entrepreneurs uses materials from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Leadership Recognition
Concentration in Leadership Studies, recorded on the high school transcript
Students earn the Concentration by completing 5 semesters of leadership coursework · The Distinguished Leader honor goes further, requiring the Leadership Concentration, a 4-day leadership/academic/service enrichment program, a leadership role at IWA, and a "My Leadership Story" reflection video
Sources
Source last checked: Nov 9, 2026
College Prep
College Counseling
1:1 with college counselor all 4 years
Senior Application Workshop before school starts in August · FAFSA/CSS Profile clinics + Financial Literacy 101 sessions for families · Downloadable grade-specific College Readiness Checklists
Testing & Test Prep
Ray Dass test-prep program integrated into English & Math coursework
Partnership with Ray Dass to support PSAT, SAT, and other College Board assessments · Modules integrated into English and Math classes, also completable independently at any pace
College Planning
Naviance; Catholic HS College Fair at Strake Jesuit + own Mini College Fair
Naviance provides resume-building, timeline/deadline management, career assessments, and GPA/test-score comparisons with past graduates’ admissions · Catholic HS College Fair at Strake Jesuit (first Wednesday in October) · An on-campus Mini College Fair (mid-September)
College outcomes · Class of 2026
49
Graduates
300+
College & University Admissions
$13M+
Scholarships & Awards
Sources
Source last checked: Nov 9, 2026
Faith & community
Catholic identity
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament — founded 1873, the oldest Catholic school in Houston
Chapel on campus
IWA Chapel
Open to students throughout the day.
Mass & prayer
Monthly all-school Mass
Annunciation Catholic Church (next door)
Optional Daily Mass · Wednesdays 7:30 AM
Retreats
Annual
Class retreats · Grades 9-12 · graduation requirement. Freshman retreat centers on orientation and community-building ("cultivating sisterhood"); sophomore on identity/prayer; junior on faith deepening with Eucharistic Adoration and Confession; senior is a capstone reflecting on her four years. Retreats are led by the Campus Ministry Team.
Sources
Source last checked: Nov 9, 2026
Athletics
TAPPS 6A
League / Classification
10 sports offered
Varsity/interscholastic offerings
Volleyball • Cross Country • Basketball • Soccer • Track & Field • Golf • Swimming • Tennis • Softball • Cheer
Athletic Facilities & Locations
St. Thomas High School athletic fields
Soccer
IWA provides bus transportation to practice; parents pick up at St. Thomas High School.
Falcon's Nest
Basketball • Volleyball
Home court for basketball. Fourth-floor gym; spectator stands are located above the court.
St. Thomas High School
Cross Country
IWA provides bus transportation to practice; parents pick up at St. Thomas High School.
University of Houston Campus Recreation & Wellness Center
Swimming
IWA provides bus transportation to practice; parents pick up at University of Houston.
Sources
- Athletics — Soccer
- Athletics — Basketball
- Athletics — Volleyball
- Athletics — Cross Country
- Athletics — Swim
- Official school source
Source last checked: Nov 9, 2026
Arts
Band
Year-long class open to students with no prior musical training, offered jointly with St. Thomas High School
Musical Theater
Falcon Theater stages an annual Fall Musical mainstage production
Dance
Dance Class I: Fundamentals of Dance & Dance Class II: Creativity in Dance courses (jazz, modern, ballet & tap); Impact Dance Team (Red & White squads, all levels) performs at games and events
Visual Arts
Fundamentals of Art I & II, Advanced Art, Textile Art courses; work displayed in Studio 609; Art Club (Studio 609)
Theater / Drama
Fundamentals of Theater & Theater II: Advanced Theater courses; Falcon Theater stages a Spring Play (students also run sound, lighting & set changes); International Thespian Society (Troupe 7855)
Choir / Vocal
Year-long performing vocal ensemble class; represents the school at public functions, concerts & school Masses
Arts Notables
Award-winning Choir
Studio 609 art students recognized at VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event)
Sources
Source last checked: Aug 30, 2026
School life
Campus & Setting
Main Campus
Downtown Houston since 1873
Downtown Houston
609 Crawford Street, in the Ballpark District, directly across from Daikin Park and a short walk from Discovery Green
Campus Expansion
18,500 square feet added for classrooms, collaboration, student life and fine arts
Academic building opened spring 2017
Sources
Source last checked: Nov 9, 2026
Daily Life
School Day
8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Modular rotation of an 8-period "Plaid" day and alternating 4-period "Red"/"White" days
Uniform
Uniform required; red V-neck sweater or vest with the school monogram
"Falcon Friday" spirit days
Lunch & Dining
On-campus lunch service
Hot lunch or à la carte; parents prepay online or students pay at checkout
Advisory & Flex
Built-in Academic Advisory and Flex periods during the school day
Used for tutoring and academic support; teacher office hours and before/after-school tutoring also available
Phone Policy
Phones kept in lockers, off, for the whole school day
Cell phones may not be visible or in use during school hours; a phone seen or used during the day can be confiscated and, on repeated violations, must be turned in to the Dean of Students Office daily.
Sources
- Bell Schedules (2024-25 PDF)
- Admitted Students
- Lunch Services
- Official school source
- Student/Parent Handbook (2026-27 PDF)
Source last checked: Nov 9, 2026
Freshman Transition & Success
Getting Started
Freshman Orientation · 2 days
Required overnight trip to Camp Kappe
Peer Support
Freshman Orientation Team
Student leaders host Freshman Orientation at Camp Kappe, leading general and small-group sessions and helping each freshman settle in on campus
Sources
Source last checked: Nov 9, 2026
Clubs & Activities
36 activities across 10 categories
Annual club fair each September during Spirit Week; participation is voluntary
Special Interest
- Book Sisters
- Botanical Buddies
- C.L.A.S.H.
- Cookie Club
- K-Pop Club
- Karaoke Club
- Origami Club
- Rookettes (chess club)
- Stitching Sisters
Service
- Cancer Awareness Club
- Cardiac Care Club
- Environmental Club
- Fur-ever Friends
- Leading with Charity
Cultural & Affinity
- African American Culture Club (A2C2)
- Asian American Culture Club
- French Club
- Hispanic Culture Club
Faith & Ministry
- Campus Ministry
- Equip Her
- Falcons 4 Life
- HER'd
Academic
- Economics Club
- Falcon Business Club
- Future Politicians Club
- Made 4 Medicine
Honor Societies
- Mu Alpha Theta
- National Honor Society
- Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica
STEM & Robotics
- Engineering Club
- STEM+
- Women of the Wires (robotics team)
Journalism / Newspaper
- Falcon Newspaper
- After the Bell Podcast Club
Yearbook
- The Margil (Yearbook)
Debate & Speech
- Model UN
Sources
Source last checked: Nov 3, 2026
About our dataInformation comes from official school sources. Availability reflects what we could verify from published materials.