Willow Creek Elementary School

7855 South Willow Way

School District

Cherry Creek 5
Grade

PK, K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Cherry Creek 5 School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 11, 2023

This is our second year at Willow Creek. I’ve been impressed by the quality of teachers and staff at the school. Principal Whitney takes a strong interest in families. There is open dialogue between teachers and parents and strong parental involvement. My child enjoys the experiences at school and I feel grateful to be apart of the school community. My only complaint is the art teacher. My child doesn’t have a single complaint about interactions with any other teacher outside of art. In fact, I receive incredible feedback about teachers and administrators. These poor reviews go back years, and it’s upset that nothing has been done about it. I’m saddened, as my child loves doing art at home and is losing interest because of her experience at school.
Submitted by parent on January 25, 2019

We feel so lucky our kids go to Willow Creek - the teachers and principal are amazing. I echo what other reviews have said - the art teacher is a big problem (an argument against tenure) and it’s so sad how much my kids dread art. But if that’s my biggest complaint I’ll take it. The parents are really intense and not the friendliest, but I’m sure a lot of schools have that.
Submitted by parent on August 25, 2018

Coming from the Boston, Mass., suburbs, which have excellent public and private schools - I was nervous about starting at a new school. Willow Creek Elementary exceeded my expectations for our two daughters - and having worked at private secondary schools on the East Coast my whole professional life (and recruited from other private schools around the country)- I found the school environment, curriculum and teaching staff on par with the best schools I've visited and worked at. The new MAKERS space is fantastic, and got our daughter interested in coding. Highly recommend this school!
Submitted by parent on November 06, 2015

We moved here, at the beginning of this school year, and we've had a wonderful experience with the staff and with the teachers. The REFLEX math program, the investment in RAZ-kids, for readers in the 3rd grade (to promote reading), the clubs, with their focus on improving the quality of the educational experience, not to mention the caring staff, make this school excellent.
Submitted by parent on September 08, 2014

Willow creek is wonderful. Lots of resources for kids. Principal is amazing! Only reason I dodnt give a 5 is because of the art teacher. I have 2 children that have attended WC for 4 and 3 years and both complain that the art teacher talks all class and then they only have 5-10 minutes left before class is over. An art teacher should be energetic and fun and she takes all the fun out if this class. Other than the art teacher needing to be replaced willow creek is awesome!
Submitted by parent on April 25, 2014

Willow creek is a great school! No bullying that we've seen or heard. Principle is beyond nice. Teachers are great. Only downside in the 4 years we've seen is the art teacher is not fun! She is extremely strict and in a class where kids are suppose to be creative and have a good time she makes it pretty unpleasant to enjoy what should be a favorite class. Also the playground women that watch the kids during recess are so harsh sometimes.but overall its a wonderful school and so glad we live here in this amazing neighborhood.
Submitted by parent on January 02, 2014

Incredible INVOLVED principal. Outstanding teachers. Best arts-culture program in the district!!! Parents are passionate and excited about the school.
Submitted by parent on May 01, 2013

We are new to this school and we love it! My child's kindergarten teacher is friendly, kind and patient. She really gets to know the students on an individual basis. I'm so glad we chose to move to this area. The school is totally worth it!
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2012

The teachers are very well trained and always put the children first! I find them very responsive to me and open to my questions.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2011

We absolutely love this school. We are in district, but this is not our home elementary so we enrolled through Colorado "School of Choice" options. We investigated nearly all of the elementaries before we chose this one. This school encourages parental involvement - many of the lower grades have at least one (and sometimes two) parent volunteers (for about an hour each day). The teachers treat the kids with respect, and they get respect in return. The older kids are supportive of the little kids - my 1st graders report several 5th grade "friends". I have one average child and one advanced child. Both childrens needs are met in the classroom, and I feel like both kids are challenged appropriately.
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2011

Willow Creek is as great as you want it to be. It could be better if the traffic flow at morning and afternoon pickup was less chaotic and intimidating. (The streets and fire lane are not designed for discharging and picking up passengers while double parked. Pedestrians should cross at the crosswalks - they're staffed!) The library, gym and other facilities are awesome- esp since th ebig remodel. The teaching staff are great - an excellent balance of newer teachers and been here forever teachers. G&T feels a little stale and set in it's ways. Also too easy for parents to push their kids in. The neighborhood is awesome and having the school in the community is great.
Submitted by parent on February 24, 2011

This school is the worst school my son has been through. The teachers are not friendly and knowledgeable. And sometimes you can feel that some of them even do not like kids. What I can say is that this place is a nightmare to children.
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2010

My husband's and my favorite part about AA is the flexible grouping system. Students are tested all year long to gauge their current ability levels and to identify learning gaps. For example, my son, an early reader and a quick student, had fallen behind this last year in comprehension skills. Instead of keeping him in the advanced group, he was moved to the standard group for more support. He's getting the attention he needs at the level he needs right now, and he's doing great. Maybe next year he'll be in advanced again, maybe not, but he's being taught according to his NEEDS. How many schools can say they identify and then address and accommodate each student at that level of detail? Not many I imagine. We are thrilled by the school's determination and ability to make "challenging each student at their level" a priority and a possibility.
Submitted by parent on August 21, 2010

I agree with previous comments that Willow Creek is a tremendous elementary school. We have been very happy with the education our children have received here. Now, for the downside: For many years, the neighborhood has been divided when it comes time for our fifth graders to move up to middle school. Half go to West Middle School and half go to Campus Middle School. There doesn't seem to be any explanation for this, other than "it's always been this way." I consider this a bad situation, which is further compounded when the middle schools unevenly distribute our students amongst units, leaving some kids without a social support system during the tender first year of middle school. It's time for CCSD to fix this problem, and the sooner the better!
Submitted by parent on July 13, 2010

My daughter has been attending this school since 2nd grade and we love the school. The teaching methods employed by the teachers, their selection of syllabus and the way they challege the students to excel is commendable.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2010

I am in agreement with these posts. This is a great school. We also go out of district and love this school.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2009

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Submitted by parent on March 23, 2009

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Submitted by parent on February 28, 2008

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Submitted by parent on September 11, 2007

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