Our school and unique community exist to help your daughter grow into a smart, self-assured leader prepared to gain admission to an exceptional college and make a difference in the world! While here, students form life-long friendships. They remain in contact many years after graduation because the bonds they form with each other remain strong. Once in college, our students find themselves well prepared for the challenges that lie ahead, all the while leaning on their Willows friends to celebrate triumphs and work through disappointments.
The faculty and staff at Willows concern themselves with the development and wellbeing of each student. Wise and compassionate ladies, our teachers offer mentorship, support, and encouragement while challenging each student to give her all. Our all-girl environment lends itself to a family atmosphere that has to be felt to be understood.
Students in all-girl schools perform substantially better on standardized tests than their peers at co-ed schools and are more likely to excel in math and science. Our class sizes average 15 students, allowing every student in every class personalized attention. Our student/teacher, the ratio is 9/1. Willows has a 100% college placement rate, with recent graduates attending universities such as Notre Dame, Northwestern, Villanova, University of Illinois, Johns Hopkins, Marquette, and Loyola. Every student is recognized in the classroom and the halls, stage, sports fields, and Chapel. Our nurturing but challenging environment brings out the best in every student.
Willows Academy is an independent college preparatory school for young women in middle school and high school. Built upon the foundation of a liberal arts curriculum, personal character formation, and collaboration with parents, Willows Academy encourages each student to pursue academic excellence in her studies, to engage the challenges of life with optimism and self-assurance, and to grow in freedom to live in truth as a daughter of God. A Willows graduate is a young woman who:
- Possesses a well-formed conscience rooted in the natural moral law, and for those who choose to do so, in the teachings of the Catholic Church.
- Displays moral and ethical behavior in all aspects of daily life.
- Is confident and disciplined.
- Shows proficiency in all academic areas to enter and succeed in college.
- Possesses knowledge and skills in the arts and athletics.
- Utilizes technology effectively to solve problems.
- Works cooperatively and successfully with others.
- Communicates virtually, thinks creatively, and is a lifelong learner.
- Adjusts to a changing world and works through obstacles.
- Treats every individual as a person created in the image and likeness of God.
Religious Education is an integral part of our mission to help students grow in the freedom to live in truth. Willows Academy provides a Theology course, based on the Catholic Church's teachings, for each of our grades. Students, whether Catholic or not, are free to take either the offered Theology course and Philosophy. These classes are just as rigorous as our subjects, giving the students sound and lasting ideas and principles.
Beyond the coursework, Willows offers several opportunities for the students to deepen their faith and grow in the love of God. Our chaplains, priests of Opus Dei, administer the sacraments and assist in the Theology department. Holy Mass is offered daily for those who wish to attend. Time for confession and spiritual direction is also offered. On Holy Days of Obligation, Willows holds an All-School Mass, and on the first Friday of each month, we have all-day Adoration in our Chapel.
The spiritual formation available at Willows is entrusted to priests of Opus Dei. Opus Dei is a personal Prelature of the Catholic Church founded by Saint Josemaría Escrivá. Its mission is to spread the message that works – and the circumstances of everyday life – are occasions for growing closer to God, serving others, and improving society. The spirit of Opus Dei impacts the school in many ways, such as in the effort to do little things well out of love for God, in creating a cheerful and friendly atmosphere, and in our focus on freedom and personal responsibility.
