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Go to child profileAN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR DIVERSE LEARNERS. WillowWood has 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.
What learning looks like now: WillowWood was able to roll out its online platform during the March Break, and classes have been running since then with great success. We were developing the platform already, in anticipation of the Ministry's possible mandate, and we already use an online School Management system, so the transition was quite easy. Despite the challenging times, and the range of our grades (1 to 12), WillowWood's students are on track to achieve their goals. Online Community has been crucial to maintaining school spirit: we are holding weekly Coffee House Open Stage events, and still run clubs such as Meditation and Podcasting. We are now readying for an online Summer Camp/Summer School program, which will go live in July 2020. Sadly, our Graduates are missing out on some key Grade 12 moments - formal, the school musical, etc. We are all working now to find ways to celebrate our hard-working students. The school was shut down for our long-anticipated 40th Anniversary Party, and for our Springfest. But we are keenly aware of how lucky we are to be safe and healthy. We look forward to seeing each other again in person, and we keep on going. :)
Curriculum delivery:
Living Arrangement | Grades | Delivery Model | Frequency |
---|---|---|---|
Day | Gr. 1 - Gr. 12 | Hybrid/blended | Full-time |
What WillowWood School says: We are offering full time online, in-class, and hybrid/blended learning options to accommodate our student learning preferences. Our student body has been divided into cohorts based on grade level. We have ensured that the lower, middle, and high school cohorts do not intermingle during the school day. Additionally, start times, class schedules, breaks, and lunch periods have been staggered to reduce potential interaction between cohorts. Instead of a two-semester schedule, in which students take four courses in a term, we have moved to a four-semester schedule with students taking two courses in each term. Outdoor teaching has been encouraged and incorporated into teaching curricula.
View recent COVID-19 updates from WillowWood SchoolWillowWood School offers bus transferring.
Additional notes: WillowWood currently has contracted a school transportation company for bussing. Routes vary year to year and are available based on minimum numbers to a variety of areas in and around the GTA. Cost vary according to the number of students on the bus, the routes and the type of vehicle.
Jun 4 — In-Person Open House and Tour
Join us at our upcoming open house on June 4th, 2022. Speak with our high school and lower school principals and our staff, and go on a tour of our school! RSVP [email protected]
See you then,
Team WillowWood
Jul 5 — Virtual Open House and Tour
Join us at our upcoming open house on July 5th, 2022. Speak with our high school and lower school principals, our staff, and go on a virtual tour of our school! RSVP [email protected]
See you then,
Team WillowWood
By any measure, there’s a lot to love about WillowWood. 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.
Focus |
---|
Academic |
DIBELS Testing: This school does not use DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Evolution as consensus theory | |
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories | |
Evolution is not taught |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Biology | |
Chemistry | |
Ecology | |
Geology | |
Meteorology | |
Physics | |
Physiology | |
Zoology |
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 |
Students remain in a regular classroom for the whole day; the teacher receives special training in accommodating special needs and/or learning disabled students.
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
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 |
Competitive sports: 13
Recreational sports: 16
WillowWood School offers 19 clubs and extracurricular programs.
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 |
Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Gr. 1 to Gr. 12 | Coed | Day | 250 |
Total enrolment | 250 |
Average class size | 10 to 16 |
% of international students (total enrolment) | 20% |
Number of different nationalities within student population | 10 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Enrollment | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Class Size | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
Assessment | Required | Grades |
---|---|---|
Interview | 1 - 12 | |
SSAT | ||
SSAT (out of province) | ||
Entrance Exam(s) | ||
Entrance Essay |
Day students: Rolling
Offer mid-year entry:
Yes
Application fee: N/A
Registration fee: N/A
Deposit:
N/A
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].
This is the percentage of applicants typically accepted into the school. So if 50 students are admitted out of 100 applicants, the school has an overall acceptance rate of 50%.
Student Entry Points
This shows approximately how many openings there are likely to be in each grade in a typical year, as well as the estimated acceptance rate for each grade level.
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 |
Alumni Highlights
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
The Trusted Source for Families since 1998
Interested in WillowWood School?
Visit WebsiteJoin the Our Kids roundtable discussion about WillowWood School. Alumni and current parents are answering questions and sharing their insights—about the school’s culture, strengths, and weaknesses.
Oct 13
ZOOM MEETING