WillowWood School Information

About WillowWood School

Welcome to WillowWood School

WillowWood School is a family-style school, where friendly and genuine interactions happen between students and teachers, issues are dealt with directly, and children feel seen and known. WillowWood students are inspired to engage with the world – whether that be through philanthropy, civic action, travel, consciousness-raising, or via visits from guests – as positive contributors to society. WillowWood School caters for children with learning differences, ADHD, and other learning challenges. All of WillowWood School courses in Lower, Middle, and Upper School (Grades 1-12) follow the Ontario Ministry of Education’s curriculum guidelines. WillowWood School is inspected regularly by the Ministry of Education and strictly adhere to their regulations and policies.

Principal: Fred Howe

WillowWood has an Arts and Sports program. There are two annual presentations: the Holiday Happening in December and the Musical in the Spring. WillowWood sports teams participate in the SSAF (Small Schools Athletic Federation) as the WillowWood Warriors.

Arts:

Film: WillowWood is well-ahead of the curve in its Film Studies program. Students begin studying Film as part of Language Arts in Middle School and can study it formally in Grade 11 and 12 Film Studies.

Theatre: All levels of the school are committed to these productions. These productions also offer many opportunities to shine offstage – in costuming, makeup, backstage crew, advertising, and more.

Visual Arts: In recent years, the Visual Arts program has been bolstered and expanded via the digital arts – photography, film, web, and app design – and allowed for greater and greater integration into other school courses and areas.

Music: Jeff Ramage teaches the technical aspects of the Arts, teaching Sound Technology (a new course in 2020) and heading a team of students who set up and manage sound and lights in all sorts of settings.

Sports:

WillowWood School engender teamwork, goal-setting and healthy competition through SSAF teams including: Cross Country Running, Ultimate Frisbee, Flag Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, Curling, Bowling, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Ball Hockey, Softball, Track and Field, Dodgeball, Table Tennis and Golf.

International Programs:

The International Students in ESL receive much more than academic education: Rosie and Gus take care to introduce new students to Toronto as a city and Canada as a culture. They also integrate ESL students into the wider student body through holiday meals, trips together, clubs, and athletics.

Social and Emotional Support:

WillowWood teachers and staff care are invested in students' mental health and social development, and no one is left to fall through the cracks. Overseeing these efforts is WillowWood's on-staff Psychotherapist – Dena Tenenhouse – who advises staff, counsels students, and supports families in myriad ways. Dena also oversees the TOSS program and WillowWood's Responsible Actions Program.

Summer Grove Camps:

WillowWood has offered and runs International summer programs: Experience Ontario Camp mixed Summer Fun with English lessons and a broad assortment of cultural experiences. WillowWood SchoolGolf Camp combined the learning elements above with pro-coached golf skills daily.