Willard Elementary School

301 Madre Street

School District

Pasadena Unified
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:20
Type

public

School Map for Pasadena Unified 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 June 13, 2021

If you are a parent in the greater Pasadena area looking for an excellent public school, look no further than Willard Elementary! My daughter attended Willard from Kindergarten through 5th Grade and had a great experience. Willard offers the following:1. Safety. Willard places top priority on the safety and well-being of all students. There is a zero tolerance policy for bullying. School entrances are secure and carefully monitored at all times, and there is a trained security guard on staff.2. Diversity. A multitude of cultures are reflected in Willard’s student and staff population. School events reflecting Willard’s commitment to diversity include cultural assemblies, an international fashion show, and international dance show.3. The International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The IB program encourages, among other things: critical thinking, student inquiry, curiosity, independence, open-mindedness, risk-taking and self-reflection. Students are groomed to think, speak and act as global citizens long after they leave school. Willard is the only IB elementary school in the Pasadena area.4. Excellent arts, music and STEM programs. Willard students have displayed their artwork at local civic events. Music highlights include a student show choir called the Rising Stars, a student orchestra (both of which have given command performances at civic events), a student rock band and ukelele band. STEM programs are represented by an annual science fair and Math Field Day team.5. Great physical education program. In addition to weekly PE, Willard features a competition cheer squad and student running club.6. Fun, well-organized and supervised educational field trips. Past destinations have included The L.A. Museum of Natural History, San Juan Capistrano Mission and The Gamble House. Fifth-graders are invited to participate in Astrocamp, an overnight stay at a safe, well-supervised educational facility in the San Jacinto Mountains, where they learn about astrophysics and space science via fun, hands-on experiments.7. Well-supervised afterschool programs (LEARNS, Boys & Girls Club, Afterschool Adventures).8. Community events, open to all Willard students, staff and their families and friends. These include movie nights, a fall festival and an annual Willard campout.Willard’s teaching staff also did a fantastic job during the past school year despite the challenges of online and hybrid learning.Willard is truly a Great School!
Submitted by parent on June 12, 2021

I have a teenager who entered Willard in second grade from.another school. Willard was welcoming and worked to help her fit in. I now have a second grader, soon to be third grader. The teachers approach to online was detailed and thorough. Willard made a difficult year ( the pandemic) easy. Ms Penny, Ms Kaiteris and Ms Wood are wonderful teachers.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2021

We were new to Pasadena, CA when we began searching for a good public school for our child to attend. We began talking to other parents in our area and received many recommendations. Since PUSD has an open enrollment policy (we can attend a school outside of our neighborhood if we choose), we toured all of the schools that others recommended. We also toured Willard International Baccalaureate School and as luck would have it, this turned out to be our neighborhood school.After our tour at Willard IB School, we just had "that feeling" in our guts that this was going to be a great place for our child to learn and grow.The school's focus on the International Baccalaureate PYP Program is really the key that makes this school community so special. The teachers and staff have received training that really helps them see the whole child and teach in a way that allows for inquiry and exploration. Students are constantly encouraged to ask questions, do research, find new ways to solve problems, and to expand their understanding of the world around them. The IB program also teaches students to be empathetic, open minded, encouraging, enthusiastic, courageous, independent, and principled. The staff models these behaviors and it is just engrained in the school culture. Willard IB School is the only elementary level International Baccalaureate school in Pasadena. This is a special program that makes Willard a stand out among other public elementary schools in the area.My child has become so aware of the world around her and how her actions affect others as a result of attending Willard IB School. She questions everything and looks for alternative ways to solve problems. She does very well academically and is challenged by her teachers to think outside the box. My daughter has had the opportunity to participate in student council, Rising Stars show choir, orchestra, Mariachi band, international fashion show, talent show, math field day, science fair, multiple field trips, Astro Camp, International dance festival among many other enriching activities. We are so happy to have found Willard International Baccalaureate School and are proud to be a part of this fantastic community of lifelong learners!
Submitted by parent on August 01, 2020

10/10. Honestly, in quarantine and virtual learning we considered moving our kids to a private school but we couldn't find one with the resources, community, or leadership that Willard has. Our students are receiving an excellent education and the IB curriculum on top of that is unmatched in Los Angeles. Our students are learning instruments, 2 languages, art, science, public speaking, etc etc etc all set in a diverse environment that is enriching the experience even more.
Submitted by parent on November 15, 2019

This school has been an amazing place for our family. The diversity of the students AND the faculty have created a safe, joyful and happy place for our two multiracial kids. Both are kids are thriving here, both academically and socially. We are so impressed with the principle, Dr. Baxter, and with the unique International Baccalaureate "IB" curriculum. The kids attend a weekly Spanish and Mandarin class, have a music class, and learn about being green. They regularly do school performances (singing, playing music, dancing). There are a lot of school events, after school programs, and ways for parents to get involved. We love the sense of community here.
Submitted by parent on July 03, 2019

My kids started in kindergarten and went all the way through 5th grade. The teachers are all amazing. Really. The staff is very good at finding the right fit for the students. Learning is based on experiencing not just textbook learning. The school has a full time librarian, a music program, lots of field trips and 5th graders get to go to Astro Camp. Art and out of the box thinking is strongly encouraged. Parent participation is also encouraged but not required. The PTA puts on a movie night, a weekend camping trip and usually restaurant night once a month. Our experience was very positive and I recommend this school highly!
Submitted by parent on January 02, 2019

We are brand new here (kindergarten parents) and so far we love it. The IB curriculum is exactly the global holistic approach we were looking for, the diversity of the student population is of great benefit to all, and the administration is amazingly positive and thoughtful. We love the community!
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2018

Under the leadership of Dr. Baxter, this school has cemented its position as one of the leading elementary schools in the area. The strong IB framework teaches the students to be critical thinkers, self learners and compassionate global citizens. This is our fourth year at the school and all of the teachers, administrators, and staff have helped our students to be their best selves.
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2018

Very good! I feel loved and accepted as a grand parent in this schools setting.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2015

I had come from India 8 months ago & was very worried about my son adjusting to the change, however Dr. DeBose & her team of Teachers(Miss Grabis) in particular helped my son to over come the change & adjust well & pick up the school culture quiet quickly, his grades have improved tremendously....Thank you all
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2014

My daughter has been attending this school since pre-k and is now going to enter into the 3rd Grade. We love the school and my daughter has learned and has grown so much academically in the years she has attended Willard. She had the pleasure of being in Mrs. Soto's 2nd grade this past year, and words can not express what an excellent teacher Ms. Soto is. I can not speak more highly of this teacher. She has set the bar very high. I have no doubt that the years we have remaining at Willard will be met with the same level of care and attention to my child.
Submitted by parent on May 12, 2014

Willard is a great school with a wonderful staff and administration. Dr. DeBose is attentive to students and parents, and makes herself accessible to talk with parents about any of their concerns. As previously stated, there have been some issues with a few teachers who do not adequately teach the IB curriculum, but there are more great educators at Willard who go above and beyond to teach our children. My family is very happy with the school...can't say the same for the State's allocation of funding to public schools, but that is an entirely different discussion.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2014

Willard IB creates true life long learners and leaders of tomorrow. I am a parent and former teacher of Willard. The IB philosophy is about students making connections to what they're learning to their own lives. This gives students ownership into their education. Education is not about imparting knowledge from teacher to student - that's what the internet is for. It's about making meaning and taking action with your knowledge. This school is different because of its IB philosophy, its international perspective, the mission of creating globally reponsible citizens. This is what our world needs - problem solvers, solving real world problems, real leaders for tomorrow.
Submitted by parent on February 05, 2014

Willard-IB is a wonderful school and we couldn't be happier with our decision to send our two kids here. A great Principal in Dr. Debose, great teachers, active parent participation, the IB-PYP programme and lots of happy and well behaved kids - that's Willard. It has so many wonderful things going on - thanks to the IB-PYP Programme. In addition to having a strong academic focus, students in each grade get to work on some fun projects. Creating and presenting models of the Mars Rover, Animal Habitats, Weather dioramas, Simple machines, Digestive System, Community Models, Creating businesses, World famous monuments - these are just a few examples of some of the excellent learning that go on at the school. K-5 also get an hour each of computer lab, library, Spanish lessons and Instrumental Music lessons (1st - 5th) every week, which is rare to find in any of the other local area public schools. The school also has a running club, PE program and a STEM club run by the PTA. My kids have a great time at school every day and are also getting an excellent education. We couldn't be happier!
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2013

This is a great school, they are doing the best with what have and they can. I have never seen a principal like Dr.Bose, she greets in person most of the kids in the school on daily basis, she is a very good role model! She tells kids every day how important for each kid to respect other kid and being empathetic at each other. They are trying hard to raise the school rating to 9. The more funding they can get from the govt and the families it will benefit the school. My son went to a private preschool. He likes Willard's better as the teachers are awesome.
Submitted by parent on May 21, 2012

Attend an Open House before deciding. Quite a few of these exceptional reviews are over four years old. In essence, Willard is a school that is doing its best with what it has. It has quite a bit working against it, such as state wide budget cuts, a city that refuses to adequately fund its school district, and a teachers' union with an iron-grip. The building is dingy and, with the exception of one large patch of grass, the complex embodies the term, "asphalt jungle." (My husband's and my private nickname for Willard is "The Gulag.") Most of the teachers are great, but there are a few treading water and biding time until retirement. Do whatever research you can before you allow them to assign your child to a particular teacher. Good news is the bad apples are hard to miss. As for the principal, Dr DeBose is quite professional and obviously cares about the students. In so many ways her hands are tied because of all the factors Willard is up against. Parental involvement is an absolute necessity for the school to achieve its goals. I only gave it 4 stars because the parent programs are often haphazardly organized and the "homeroom parents" aren't held to any standards.