Indirect Support:
AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS. WillowWood was founded in 1980 based on the core value that all students have a right to learn with dignity; that a warm and nurturing school can serve as a foundation for remarkable lives; and that it is the whole person who matters. We have a long tradition of delivering targeted, personal education that considers each student's needs, inclinations and strengths. This individualized approach ensures that students are able to discover and embrace their strengths, address their weaknesses, and maintain their dignity. Classes are small, the atmosphere is warm, and the pedagogical approach is holistic. Our effective teaching strategies, enthusiastic staff members, innovative programs and friendly environment bring out the best in students, build self-confidence and inspire a love of learning. If your family is seeking a new style of school that is small, with a strong history of inspiring students, come by for a visit. We’d love to meet you.
By any measure, there’s a lot to love about WillowWood. That said, for the families that enroll here, it’s that they say this: “all students have a right to learn with dignity.” Truly they mean it, precisely because they rub up against that concept in every class they teach, every day of the school year. The work of the school is dedicated to supporting learners who, for a range of reasons, need something different, and who, for whatever reason, aren’t adequately supported in other academic environments. Their personal needs are assessed, as are their strengths and interests, and instruction begins from that point, seeking to build on their abilities in order to grow engaged learners equipped with the confidence and the skills to establish a place in the community of the school and beyond.
Gallery showcasing school life and general photos of WillowWood School.
Gallery showcasing specific locations and facilities found at WillowWood School.
Promotional videos for WillowWood School.
| Focus | Special needs |
|---|---|
| Academic | Special needs |
DIBELS Testing: This school does not use DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
| Subject | offered |
|---|---|
| Biology | |
| Chemistry | |
| Ecology | |
| Geology | |
| Meteorology | |
| Physics | |
| Physiology | |
| Zoology |
| Subject | offered |
|---|---|
| Evolution as consensus theory | |
| Evolution as one of many equally viable theories | |
| Evolution is not taught |
| Subject | offered |
|---|---|
| Acting | |
| Dance | |
| Drama/Theatre | |
| Graphic Design | |
| Music | |
| Visual Arts |
| Expressive | |
| Disciplined |
| Subject | offered |
|---|---|
| Computer science | |
| Robotics | |
| Web design |
| Flexible pacing style | offered |
|---|---|
| Subject-streaming (tracking) | |
| Multi-age classrooms as standard | |
| Ability-grouping (in-class) as common | |
| Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace) | |
| Regular guided independent study opportunities | |
| Differentiated assessment |
Full-time programming is offered for all students which is exclusively focused on one or more special needs.
| Subject Type | offered |
|---|---|
| Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
| Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
| Subject Type | offered |
|---|---|
| Accommodations | |
| Modifications | |
| Extra support |
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
| Program | offered |
|---|---|
| Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school) | |
| Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class) |
Curriculum delivery: Enrichment (The main focus is on enrichment. This means that while students may work at a marginally quicker pace than public school peers, the primary aim is to study subject in broader and deeper ways.)
| Program | offered |
|---|---|
| Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement) | |
| Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement) | |
| Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others) | |
| Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement) | |
| Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement) |
| Lettered or numbered grades | Gr. 1 to Gr. 12 |
| Prose (narrative)-based feedback | Gr. 1 to Gr. 12 |
| Academic achievement reporting | Gr. 1 to Gr. 12 |
| Habits and behaviour reporting | Gr. 1 to Gr. 12 |
| Parent-teacher meetings | Gr. 1 to Gr. 12 |
| Sports Offered | Competitive | Recreational |
|---|---|---|
| Badminton | ||
| Baseball | ||
| Basketball | ||
| Field Hockey | ||
| Football | ||
| Golf | ||
| Ice Hockey | ||
| Lacrosse | ||
| Rowing | ||
| Rugby | ||
| Running | ||
| Soccer | ||
| Softball | ||
| Swimming | ||
| Tennis | ||
| Track & Field | ||
| Volleyball | ||
| Canoeing/Kayaking | ||
| Cycling | ||
| Downhill skiing | ||
| Ice Skating | ||
| Skateboarding | ||
| Snowboarding | ||
| Weightlifting |
| Clubs Offered |
|---|
| Musical theatre/Opera |
| Outdoor Club |
| Outdoor Education |
| Photography |
| Robotics club |
| Student Council |
| Yearbook |
| Yoga |
| Art Club |
| Audiovisual Club |
| Band |
| Chess Club |
| Choir |
| Community Service |
| Computer Club |
| Drama Club |
| Environmental Club |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
| Day (Domestic) | $18,100 | $20,300 | $21,200 | $22,300 | ||||||||
| Day (International) | $21,000 | $22,200 | $23,500 | |||||||||
This information is not currently available.
This information is not currently available.
| Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrollment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Gr. 1 to Gr. 12 | Coed | Day | 250 |
| Total enrollment | 250 |
| Average enrollment per grade | 21 |
| Average class size | 10 to 16 |
| Gender (grades) | Gr. 1 to Gr. 12 (Coed) |
| Boarding offered | No |
| Percentage of students are international students | 20% |
| Number of different nationalities within student population | 10 |
| Five-day boarding programs offfered |
| Assessment | Required | Grades |
|---|---|---|
| Interview | 1 - 12 | |
| SSAT | ||
| SSAT (out of province) | ||
| Entrance Exam(s) | ||
| Entrance Essay | ||
| Application Fee |
Day students: Rolling
WillowWood admissions involve determining the fit between the student and school. Our process involves several steps:
Domestic Applications
1. An information interview with the parent(s) or guardian(s)
2. In Lower and Middle Schools (gr.1-8), the prospective student usually visits a classroom for a morning. In Upper School, (grade 9-12), the prospective student comes in for an interview with a member of the admissions team, and a tour.
3. A review of documentation is conducted by the admissions team.
4. Placement is offered.
International Applications
1. A parent, guardian or agent contacts the school and receives a list of necessary information.
2. The information is assessed by our admissions team.
3. An interview meeting (in person or via telephone/ Skype) is held with the prospective student's parent(s)/guardian(s)/agent, our admissions team, and the student.
4. Placement is offered.
Admissions are welcome all year.To contact WillowWood with regard to enrolling a student, please call 416 444 7644, or email [email protected].
Student Entry Points
| Student Type | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Services | Offered |
|---|---|
| Career planning | |
| Internships | |
| Mentorship Program | |
| University counseling |
| Key Numbers | |
|---|---|
| Average graduating class size | 25 |
| *Canadian "Big 6" placements | N/A |
| **Ivy+ placements | N/A |
*Number of students in the past year who attended one of McGill, U of T, UBC, Queen's University, University of Alberta, or Dalhousie University.
**Number of students in the past 5 years that that attended one of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, University of Chicago, Oxford or Cambridge (UK)
What WillowWood School says:
Alumni Highlights
Below, find stories and testimonials about WillowWood School.
We all learn differently. When teachers recognize this and can help students to understand how they learn best, it creates an environment that is truly limitless.
It's not earth-shattering; it's simply good teaching to provide an opportunity for students to understand themselves in the context of a world that is constantly changing around them - and to do so in a place that is caring if needed, nurturing at times, firm with guidelines, positive in approach, and always, always challenging students to be their best. My staff and I strive to provide such an environment at WillowWood in our efforts to produce life-long learners fully cognizant of the world around them and the tools they need to establish their place in it. FRED HOWE - Principal
...I am proud to have been a part of the WillowWood family for almost 25 years, and I love my job! I am passionate about teaching and enjoy being a part of creating a caring and effective teaching team.
I believe in the power of changing lives by reaching students and helping them achieve their goals. At WillowWood we don't limit ourselves to traditional ideas and methods - we persist until we find an approach that meets the varying needs of all of our students. JILL BLOCK - Vice Principal
...Welcome to the busiest small school you could ever imagine! Every day at WillowWood is as unique as all of our students and staff who engage in the wide range of daily activities.
Your son or daughter’s individual needs are at the core of everything we do. We aim to develop the key personal, social, emotional and academic skills needed to flourish in the ever changing world in which we live. School days should be some of the best days of our lives and if we can play a part in this, our mission is complete. ANDY HALL - Vice Principal
...
"From the day we first came to see the school and meet the staff, we knew it was the right place for Brendan. Your view was that students should be challenged to their level of ability by a teach-ing staff that was both understanding and sensi-tive to students' special social and academic needs. It was exactly what we were looking for!"
Michelle and Paul W, Parents
"This is the first year that Andrew is excited about school."
Rick and Elizabeth S, Parents
I think WillowWood is the best thing that ever happened to me. This school has given me everything – confidence, happiness, great friends and memories I will keep with me forever … Thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn, play, and grow up here. You truly saved my life!
Cameron A, Alumni
"John … has gained confidence in himself and smiles a lot more! He is finally seeing results with his hard work and gets excited when a new project is assigned. We never have to ask him to do homework, he dives in as soon as we get home!"
Laura and Ed H, Parents
"Study skills! A lot of the teachers helped me figure out some really great study skills to learn the information I needed to know for the future. Not just for in high school, but for university as well. They really prepped me for what I could expect when I got to university."
Rebecca G, Alumni
"The student to teacher ratio is way better than what you'd get at a public school. The teachers are always there for you to ask them questions, and to provide insight into any of the things you're studying at the time.""It wasn't extremely challenging to the point where I wanted to give up or anything; it was very encouraging, always."
Kennedy P, Alumni
"WillowWood had kind of a feeling of a second family. I felt like I got to know everybody, including the staff and the teachers, in a way that wouldn't have been possible at a bigger and more formal school. There was an informal feeling here. A positive one."
Jessica QF, Alumni
"… in Simon's early years at WillowWood, we questioned whether he would make it to college because of his severe Learning Disability. Simon's teachers thought otherwise; they assured us that Simon would continue to university – and they were right. To date, he has received several law school acceptances, including Osgoode Hall Law School."
M and J M, Parents
"There are no words to describe the impact that WillowWood School has had on the life of our family and to Amanda. Her life has been transformed thanks to the amazing staff and teachers who went above and beyond every day. She has been accepted into all of the Colleges and Universities that she applied to, which was something we did not know to be possible when she joined the school."
Bettie L, Parent
When visitors walk into the building for the first time they often remark on the special feeling the school has.
That feeling (which I call magical) is a combination of the history and philosophy of the school, the energy of the staff, and the spirit of the students.
When I founded this school it was based on the belief that learning can and should be fun and that school should be a positive and rewarding experience.
We know that one size does not fit all and that students flourish when their school embraces their strengths, addresses their needs and respects their dignity. My staff and I have been successfully delivering student-centred, individualized education in a warm and caring environment for over 30 years.
That's the magic we make at WillowWood.
If your family is seeking a new style of school with a strong history of inspiring students, come by for a visit. I'd love to meet you.
- Joy Kurtz, Director
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