illowWood has been ahead of the educational curve in recognizing, since its inception, that one size does not fit all. Founders Joy Kurtz and Heather Spear created the school to guarantee students' right to learn, and began the school's long tradition of individualizing education suited to the learning needs, style and strengths of each student. Nearly thirty years later, boards and schools Ontario-wide are realizing that the individualized approach ensures students are able to embrace their strengths, address their weaknesses and maintain their dignity.
WillowWood's mandate in 2009 remains the same as it ever was: to deliver individualized education which considers each student's needs, inclinations and strengths. Classes are small, the atmosphere is warm, and the pedagogical approach is holistic.
This has meant that WillowWood is an ideal school for students who have learning
disabilities and learning differences, and teachers are trained in effective
teaching for them. But it has also, over the years, made WillowWood an attractive
school for a widening variety of students - those in the regular stream, the
gifted, and ESL students - for
the
very
reason
that
good
education
for students with LDs is also just really good education.