FAQs

The Willows does not issue “traditional” report cards with grades of A, B, C, D, and F. In the Lower School, parents receive written narratives twice each year that describe in detail their child’s progress over the recent months. In addition, there are three parent/teacher conferences each year. In the Middle School, parents receive evaluations at the end of each semester. These evaluations include written narratives about each class along with a percentage in the academic classes. There are also three parent/teacher conferences each year. In both divisions, teachers also communicate frequently with parents throughout the year by telephone or email.

At The Willows, the purpose of homework is to reinforce skills introduced in the classroom and to help children develop the organizational skills that come with completing assignments independently and turning them in on time. We begin weekly homework and study habits in 3rd grade when students are ready to build independence and responsibility. In lower elementary school (DK–2nd grade), students build those same foundational skills in other ways: reading each night, bringing home their work to share with their parents, and completing select assignments designed to deepen understanding, spark curiosity, and encourage family discussion about what they're learning.

We appreciate that children need time to pursue interests outside of school, and, more importantly, to enjoy relaxed, unstructured time at the end of their busy days. With this in mind, teachers aim to assign a reasonable, age-appropriate amount of homework each night that builds habits of responsibility and accountability while fostering a strong home-school connection. In Lower School, we do not assign homework on weekends.

While we recognize that every child works at a different pace, some estimates per night are as follows:

• Developmental Kindergarten/Kindergarten – none; we encourage 5–10 minutes of reading
• 1st and 2nd grade – select assignments and 20 minutes of reading
• 3rd–4th grade – 30 minutes
• 5th grade – 45 minutes
• 6th–7th grade – 60 minutes
• 8th grade – 60–90 minutes

The Willows has an active parent association that coordinates numerous parent activities. We welcome and encourage parent involvement in many committees and events, including the following:

• Taste of The Willows
• Book Fair
• Library
• Hot Lunch
• and more!

To learn more about parent volunteer opportunities, please visit the WPA page.

All children participate in the physical education program at The Willows. Our physical education program emphasizes gross and local motor skill development, conflict resolution, team building, sportsmanship, and enjoyment. In the Lower School, 4th and 5th grade students have the opportunity to participate in our after-school competitive sports program. The Willows generally offers co-ed flag football, boys' and girls' volleyball, boys’ and girls’ basketball, and boys’ and girls’ soccer. Teams practice after school  and compete against other local private schools as part of the Coastal Canyon League.

Middle school students also have the opportunity to participate in our after-school competitive sports program. In the past few years, over 80% of our middle school students have taken advantage of this opportunity. Teams practice after school four times a week and compete against other local private schools as part of the Pacific Basin League. We generally offer the following sports:

• football
• volleyball
• basketball
• soccer
• golf
• track
• tennis

To learn more about athletics, please visit our Athletics page.

Beginning in the third grade, all Willows students complete standardized testing each spring. We administer the CTP5 Online, a test published by the ERB (Educational Records Bureau). We use the test results to assess individual student progress and to help us to assess and refine the curriculum. The CTP is similar in format to the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) and a good way for students to become familiar with a standardized test format and comfortable in a formal testing situation.