The Unique Advantages of an Independent School

When faced with the decision of where to send your child to school, there are a wide variety of factors to consider. Such an important choice deserves careful consideration to ensure that your child receives the best opportunities for success. From optimal teacher-to-student ratios to dedicated and innovative teachers, there are many advantages for choosing an independent school for your child’s education. At The Willows, we take pride in being an independent school that offers key benefits to give each student an excellent education.

In an article titled, The Independent School Advantage, the National Association of Independent Schools responds to the question, “What Makes Independent Schools Special?”, stating that independent schools are independent in the truest sense of the word, “Independent school teachers have the freedom to create educational experiences that meet each child’s needs, without mandates on curriculum, textbooks, and testing . . governed by a Board of Trustees, not a public school board . . . they are primarily supported by tuition payments, charitable contributions, and endowment revenue.”

Shared Educational Philosophy

One of the fundamental qualities that separates independent schools is mission-driven education, a cohesive set of educational values and beliefs at the center of the independent school operating across grade levels. This allows parents to select a school whose concepts and core values they wish to emphasize to their children. To achieve this shared thinking, the school will have a detailed mission explaining its vision for students, enroll its staff in professional development to support new teaching methods, and align itself as an institution that prepares students not only for academic success but also for a meaningful and ethical life beyond the classroom.

At The Willows, a shared educational philosophy is at the heart of our curriculum and culture. Each child is unique, and brings a special set of talents, interests, and beliefs to every lesson. Steve Futterman, The WIllows Admissions Director shares, “We believe students learn best when they are able to incorporate their individual ideas into their work. Project-based learning allows students to integrate various subjects and deepen their understanding while fostering a love of learning.” We strive to bring out the best in each student, encouraging them to follow their individual passions, while also developing critical, cross-curricular skills throughout their Elementary and Middle School careers, through a variety of investigation-based projects and experiential learning activities. 

Strong Community & Family Involvement

Most independent schools encourage the active involvement of parents in their child’s education. Whether through volunteering with the school parent association or by staying in constant communication with teachers and administration, the home/school connection is emphasized by independent schools.

One of the hallmarks of The Willows philosophy is that we nurture each child, providing an engaging, experiential, and multi-disciplinary approach to education. While offering exceptional academics, we also encourage each student to participate in our community activities like athletics (82% of Willows 4th through 8th-grade students participate in a sport) or the arts, and promote a sense of social-emotional wellbeing and social responsibility to contribute to our community and beyond. Being an independent school allows us to provide a wide variety of opportunities and resources to our students and inspires them to pursue their interests and passions.

Optimal Teacher-to-Student Ratios

Every student deserves individual attention, and independent schools provide the opportunity for this valuable experience. In independent schools, teachers are able to tailor their teaching methods to focus on each student's unique needs, making sure that no question remains unanswered. Lower and Upper Elementary classes at The Willows are built on the Co-Teaching philosophy, allowing educators to help foster a more personalized learning experience for students. As Willows 4th Grade teacher Lauren Tenzer states, “The co-teaching model at The Willows benefits both our students and our teaching team … it allows us to meet and exceed our students’ social, emotional, and academic needs daily in a creative and purposeful way.” 

Dedicated & Innovative Teachers & Staff

Independent school teachers are often able to adjust and modify their teaching to best meet the needs of their students, while also being supported by their administration. Staying independent allows schools to invest in their success. ensuring teachers and staff stay up-to-date with the latest teaching methods, technologies, and educational trends. About ½ of Willows teachers have taught at the school for over 15 years, and almost ⅓ have taught with us for over 20 years! This continuity in our faculty helps build a strong, collaborative team and shared educational philosophy, but also demonstrates the dedication that our teachers have for serving students.

Emphasizing Social Emotional Wellbeing and Inclusivity

In addition to strong academics, independent schools place emphasis on student well-being, belonging, and social-emotional strength. For example, for 10 years, The Willows worked with the Yale University Center for Emotional Intelligence, integrating their RULER approach to social-emotional learning throughout our school, which shows our commitment to social-emotional learning, developing emotional intelligence and self-awareness as a key pillar of our curriculum and life of the school.

While sharing many of these characteristics and goals, each independent school is unique. Organizations such as the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) through which The Willows is accredited, and the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) offer ongoing support and evaluation to independent schools.  

At The Willows we believe each child brings our community an extraordinary gift: a curious mind, ready to explore and eager to learn. Our balanced yet demanding progressive curriculum rooted in experiential learning and social values, offers an optimum educational experience.

Learn More About The Willows Community School

Contact Us to learn more about the benefits of a Willows’ education for your child.