WillowWood School Home History Philosophy Academic Sports & Fitness Arts Citizenship Summer Programs Faculty Friends Alumni Testimonials Admissions Contact
WillowWood's 30th Anniversary SPTS WillowWood Blog Feedback FAQ

Academics

W
Three studentsillowWood's academic program is broad - we have classes from the first grade to the twelfth, and High School courses prepare students for university, college, apprenticeships and the workplace.

 

Our small classes and individualized programming allow students to find and nourish their strengths, address challenges, and reach their potential. All levels of the school teach courses in full accordance with the Ontario Ministry of Education's curriculum.

 

Academic supports are numerous, and individual student needs are assessed to determine which will be employed. Small class groupings and fluidity between grade levels are a starting point, and individualized lessons and extra teacher support bolster results for most students who need it. Specific skill instruction in identified problem areas occurs individually and in micro-groups - in our SPARE The SPARE Program

 

SPARE (Students Participating in the Academic Reality of their Education) is a program designed to help students who demonstrate significant needs for organization skills and/or comprehension of subject expectations. Space in this program is limited to 15 students per semester. and Math Support The Math Support Program

 

The Math Support Program (Gr.9) has been designed to address the needs of those students who struggle significantly with aspects of the Ontario Mathematics Curriculum. Students may choose for partial withdrawal from math class to work in small groupings, after-school assistance, or both. programs (high school) and Direct Instruction The Direct Instruction Program

 

Direct Instruction in reading and writing skills are delivered in several specific programs - chosen via testing and interviews to fit each student's needs - in two main areas.

 

The Corrective Reading Comprehension and Reasoning and Writing programs address gaps for students significantly behind grade level in reading and writing, and focus on grammar, organizational/structural and logical skills.

 

Lexia and Remediation Plus deliver intensive, structured retraining in phonemic awareness, the core of reading and writing. (in lower and middle school).

 

Software Strategies Software Strategies

 

The Software Strategies Program is a course in the use of assistive technology, available to students at all grade levels. Students are instructed in the use of speech-recognition programs Word-Q and Speak-Q, organizational/structural assistance programs Inspiration and Kidspiration, as well as how to use commonly available software effectively in their schoolwork and beyond. introduces students to assistive technology, which is making a great difference for students who need and embrace it.

 

Student reading a bookParental support is also a key component in a holistic education, and WillowWood encourages and facilitates this. Parents are kept in the loop through scheduled and impromptu meetings, regular email and phone conversations, and frequent reports - the Ontario government-mandated reports as well as WillowWood's own.

 

The SPTS Homework Site Doing Homework The SPTS Homework Site

 

The SPTS Homework Site allows students and parents access to relevant personal information, such as the evening's homework (and downloadable worksheets), assignment results, and attendance information - over the internet. provides parents with easy access to information about assigned work, progress and attendance, and the WillowWood Blog Blog Header The WillowWood Blog

 

The WillowWood Blog is the source for all information needed by students, teachers and parents. A calendar of events, photos, videos, articles, student work, resource suggestions, and reminders are all shared on the Blog for easy communication. provides current information of all sorts. Our blog also feeds directly into our Facebook page so that students who prefer to spend their net-time there can stay in the loop.