The Willows Community School

8509 Higuera Street

Culver City, CA 90232

22 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 12, 2024

We have had our child at the Willows for four years. I cannot wrap my head around any of the negative reviews! This is hands down the best school in Los Angeles. They treat children like individuals and foster their individual's creativity. Each teacher and staff member down to the security guards care so much about these children. We have had one issue with another child / parent which was dealt with swiftly. I have recommended Willows to multiple other parents that have since enrolled their children. We have a younger child and I could not even imagine sending them to any other school!
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2024

The Willows has provided an incredible education to both of our children where they've learned deeply, found the voices and their passions, created community and developed socially/emotionally. We couldn't be happier for our children.
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2023

We have been at the Willows for 14 years, from the time my first child started kindergarten, to the time my second child graduated. Both of my children are kind, confident, inquisitive and polite, I give the Willows community a lot of credit for this, and my children would say the same. They loved school, their teachers and the administration. Diversity has increased over our time there, both in the student body and in the faculty. The children are supported in many ways. They are very aware of the importance of DEI. Most of the families are great, we have made lasting friendships with other parents.Kids who care and work hard will move on to top schools that are good fits for them.
Submitted by parent on May 17, 2022

Only apply here if you are able to donate a ton or perceive you as having deep pockets or they consider you a minority. The admissions office is fake and the director doesn’t care about your kids.
Submitted by parent on March 17, 2022

The school administration at The Willows does not give a darn about your kid. The teachers are mediocre. The campus is almost entirely concrete. The elitist attitude by the administration does not foster a sense of growing and achieving in the staff and students. It's a stagnant place where only slightly above average kids are allowed, as they are running a treadmill. Your child is not protected by the administration here. Rather, they somehow feel they are doing you a favor by admitting your child and expect you to grovel. Very fascist attitude from the administration, especially the head of admissions and head of school. Why bother with the headache? There are much better schools without the poor attitude. But if you are wealthy and looking for your kid to only get in to UC Davis or Long Beach community college this school may be an option.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2021

Excellent school that balances strong focus on SEL with core academics and opportunities to explore the arts. They handled/are handling the pandemic masterfully, with frequent and clear communication to parents and CDC-aligned guidelines. This is our son's 3rd year there and he is excited to start school next week.
Submitted by parent on June 17, 2021

School promotes unqualified people to teach children, not only during Covid but prior to pandemic.... camp counselors and yard attendants are promoted to teach grades TK-5. Unfortunate when you are spending $30K plus on your child's education. Very little diversity. Typical favoritism to families who donate big money to the school. Students are sheltered and are not taught to have any "grit". Many leave prior to middle school.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2021

Both of my children attend willows and are happy every day at school. The teachers are incredible and kind and go the extra mile. They really engage the students and foster a love of learning.
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2018

I have a minority elementary age child currently at The Willows and unfortunately my child has experienced racism from another student. The school made me aware of the issue however nothing further was done. No meeting with the other child's parent, etc. After talking to other minority parents I've learned this has happened quite a few times. The Willows need to figure out a way to address this to effectively deal with this. They have workshops on all topics but nothing dealing with racism in schools (specifically their school). Very disappointed and will more than likely remove my child though the teachers and staff are AMAZING.
Submitted by other on March 28, 2017

We were very disappointed with the application process. We researched the school, enjoyed the tour and had a lovely interview with Kim Feldman. We completed all our paperwork before the deadline and waited. We did not hear anything on notification day and sent an email to the admissions office. We received a message stating that they did not consider our daughter's application because they went to her preschool and they were told that she was not a student there. The email went on to say that they emailed me to let me know; the representative indicated the email address used ... and it was incorrect. Furthermore, the school they went to was NOT the school my daughter attended, nor was it the school we had listed (with the address) on her application. I do not understand why they would not follow up the email with a phone call! Their response... a quick apology and "we'll refund your application fee." All the effort, energy and anticipation about the possibility of our daughter attending the school was not acknowledged, nor did the school attempt to correct the problem. The fact that we spent the time and money to apply to the school and to then have our daughter not even considered for admission because of an error that they made seems unethical and for us, very disappointing. We contacted the Head of School and we never received a call or email in return.
Submitted by other on December 01, 2015

I am an alum of The Willows who is currently in high school and can say the Willows is the most amazing school in LA. The teachers create bonds with students like no other school. I felt as the teachers treated the students in a very mature and engaging manner while making class extremely fun. Each class excited me and i looked forward to attend school everyday! Everyone who works at the Willows is great! They are extremely genourous people who are always willing to help a student at lunch or even after school. The amount of options the school has to offer are amazing. Willows has something to offer for all kinds of kids. It is not a one type of student school. The Willows has a well thought out curriculum with a purpose behind it. They encourage being well-rounded by giving a manageable homework load. Unfortinately my high school does not nearly have as sophisticated teachers or the charm that the Willows does. Great teachers, great sports, great electives, great classmates, great school. I love the Willows!
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2015

I love The Willows. We relocated to Los Angeles from San Francisco, and my son was understandably nervous about starting a new school in 3rd grade. But everyone was so amazing and welcoming! The kids are sweet, the teachers wonderful and caring, and the curriculum is challenging and very hands on. My kid genuinely loves going to school every day.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2014

Bravo to The Willows Community School for mainstreaming kids from Park Century into your Middle School. I have a son in the 7th grade at Park Century and was happy to hear that a student in his class is being mainstreamed into the Willows 7th grade this year. The fact The Willows is now taking our kids, and creating specialized programs for them so that they can take advantage of The Willows extracurricular programs while receiving ed therapy creates an exciting option for kids with learning challenges. Choices for these students are limited in Los Angeles, and The Willows can expect a big bump in middle school tours and applications with this new policy.
Submitted by parent on September 11, 2014

Bravo to The Willows Community School for mainstreaming kids from Park Century into your Middle School. I have a son in the 7th grade at Park Century and was happy to hear that a student in his class has been mainstreamed to The Willows. The fact that The Willows is now taking our kids, and creating specialized programs for them so that they can take advantage of The Willows extracurricular programs while receiving ed therapy, is a brave step. Choices for students with learning challenges are extremely limited in Los Angeles. The Willows can expect a big bump in middle school applications with this new policy. I already know that several Park Century families are attending The Willows' tours in anticipation of applying to the middle school next year.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2014

My child is in the 8th grade at the Willows and we have been there since elementary school. Say what you want about the school, but my child has learning differences and the school has been great about involving tutors and ed therapists throughout my child's time at the school. The Willows seems to have an unusually high percentage of kids with learning challenges, and they do an excellent job of accommodating them. I have heard complaints from parents with children who don't have challenges that feel their kids are bored. We are lucky, through attrition, to have a very small grade and my child gets lots of personal attention. If your child has learning differences, this would be a great school for you.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2014

Our boys go to The Willows and look forward to going to school each day and they are happy when they come home. They have LOVED all of their teachers. The teachers are the core of the school and they have an amazing connection with the kids and with each other. The students are constantly learning and so are the teachers - always approaching education with a fresh perspective and always thinking of new ways to engage the kids. Willows is dynamic - always forward thinking and willing to try new things. This energy and love for learning is shared throughout the school and passed onto the kids. The kids are EXCITED to learn, they are learning at the perfect pace, are in a comfortable environment and the teachers are absolutely on top of it - taking as much care with the student's social/emotional learning as they do with the academics. The faculty and Head of the School are equally incredible. As parents, we have many opportunities to have our voices heard, whether it is a concern or an idea. The entire school is absolutely committed to your family and your child's education. It truly feels like an extension of your family when you go to The Willows.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2014

This is really a special school. We have been here for 7 years and I am so deeply sad that there will be a day when my children are not at The Willows. The new campus is stunning and a wonderful physical extension of the extraordinary program. The teachers are inspired and inspiring. We couldn't be happier.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2014

I am a current parent and alumni parent of The Willows. I was brought to the school through the search of a middle school and fell in love with the program, faculty, staff, administration, curriculum and community that we decided to enroll all 3 of our children! The middle school is unlike any other. The kids are provided tools to become independent thinkers, develop their own voice, reach outside their comfort zone all in a safe, positive and encouraging environment. My 9th grader has lifelong friends, high academic skills and amazing memories from The Willows. Reading some of the remarks about bullying in middle school is totally unrealistic. I have been very involved in the middle school for the past 4 years and the administration and faculty are on top of any issues that arise in that area. The kids are given the skills to handle conflict and seak help when needed. I have seen first hand action taken immediatly by teachers and administrators when the occurance of a kid being "mean" seldom happens. We are also experiencing the same positive, engaging, dynamic curriculum and warm. loving environment in the lower school. The Willows is a gift to our children.
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2013

I would encourage the family who wrote the previous post to contact the administration and work with them to resolve the situation. It seems unlikely a school would give a child "free reign" to mean. My experience at the school has been only positive and when issues have come up the administration has worked with us. Part of growing up is dealing with different personalities and situations. As a parent I want my child to have the tools to deal with difficult situations and The Willows, despite what the previous post states, does not find "mean behavior" acceptable.
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2013

I am an alumni parent. Both of my children attended the school and had an excellent experience. They have gone on to be passionate, directed, engaged young adults. The Willows provided them with a wonderful academic program preparing them for success in high school and college. In my experience the administration was very responsive to behavioral issues and worked in partnership with the parents to resolve social issues. The school also offered ongoing opportunities for discussion with the administration. Not every school is right for every family but that doesn't mean there is something wrong with the school or the family. Rather then blame the school(s) families should seek an environment that will suit their child's needs.