Willow Springs Elementary School

8345 Archer Avenue

School District

Willow Springs 108
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:10
Type

public

School Map for Willow Springs School District 108

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 November 08, 2024

The staff at this school is doing a great job!
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2024

The group activities were good to do with the kids and parents. It was nice to see, watch, do with the kids. This was really nice to see how they interact with each other.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2024

me encanto la experiencia espero se repita.
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2024

I would definitely love to do this and I would recommend
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2024

I feel so comfortable having my son at this school. I feel like my son is safe and getting all the help he needs. I also having my daughter's here as well
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2024

School is great very helpful and attentive to children and also have a great support system with with children on all steps of the way
Submitted by parent on November 08, 2024

Esta escuela me invita a participar en actividades de mi nio y me siento muy bien recivida.
Submitted by parent on August 04, 2023

The school has gone downhill over the past few years. Bullying is out of control and there are no real consequences or interventions. Like many schools, they are understaffed. There are frequent subs that are essentially babysitters so there is no learning when this happens. There are minimal clubs or extracurriculars, no foreign language or student council. The principal tries but is likely constrained by the controlling superintendent who appears to be rarely present (and not a believer of discipline).The buses are out of control. The teachers are leaving. The communication from leadership to parents and teachers is horrible. The teachers are wonderful. It doesn't have to be like this. There was a mass exodus last year and I bet more will be gone when school starts.The kids deserve better.
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2021

My daughter has been a student here since she was 3. She started in early intervention and has excelled ever since. Not only did Willow work with her to catch her up to her peers, she no longer has an IEP as a result. The teachers are amazing, the staff is wonderful, and the curriculum is solid. No school is perfect, and I see random negative attacks that I deem less about school performance and more about a specific issue that was personally disappointing. However, anyone who spends any time at all in this school, or has a student that attends, can appreciate the deep dedication the district has for the students. One aspect of the negativity that I see is centered on the low income proponent from a nearby community. Not only do I support those children having access to a better school, I think they also help imbue a sense of empathy and diversity that is very profound. I honestly don't care about the ratings since they can be so subjective, like my own, but implore anyone reading these reviews to dig deeper and really research D108.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2019

I think its wonderful that from K to 2 they keep the class sizes small, which helps the children learn and the teachers can individualize more to your child. Yes, the score of this school is low, due to Sterling estates and lower income families. And its unfortunate that some parents do not want more for their children, it starts at home!Overall my 2 children are getting a good starting education
Submitted by parent on February 14, 2019

I have absolutely no complaints. Unfortunately the low rating due to low income families hurts that the school from being rated higher.
Submitted by student on December 27, 2018

The school has teach me a lot an dit a good school.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2018

I would give this school zero stars. During the two years that my daughter attended Willow, she has dropped significantly in math and her general attitude of school has plummeted. I attribute the poor performance of this school directly with the unprofessional attitude of the principal, Mrs. Smuda. She does not even listen to complaints brought before her much less make any attempt to address such concerns. This school has a very negative reputation in the area and it is about time that people started speaking out publicly.
Submitted by parent on August 16, 2018

This school provides a nurturing environment where children can grow and succeed. The staff is competent and caring. I am happy with the education my daughter is receiving.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2018

This school is simply terrible, if this school can get any lower it will start digging. If you want your child to excel and be challenged this is not the school for your child to attend. Putting my kids in this school was the worst mistake ever, they had regressed so much coming here. I would never recommend this school to anyone, there are a couple good teachers and staff members but this school does not make the grade, and they have been failing for years with the state scores. This school along with the superintendent and principal are scared of parents and families from Sterling Estates trailer park and making sure they are happy in first place. That means no expectation from kids to progress, no homework, no extra work, and even no celebration for straight A students because that could offend parents from trailer park. There is also too many bullies and disrespectful children, kids from Sec. 8 families, or kids of gang members.
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2015

I like the small class sizes and the extra help available for kids who need it. That way they don't hold the other kids back during classes. All classrooms have the latest technology (Promethean boards) and students have computer time several times a week. This school places a huge emphasis on developing reading skills from K thru 4th grade, and it pays off in all subjects as far as comprehension. My child is in 4th grade and reads at a 5th grade level. Obedience and neatness is enforced well, and there are mostly younger teachers who show a lot of patience and enthusiasm in their methods. Although my children are above-average academically, there is a very good Special Ed program here.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2014

When we first started looking for a small town school we were very impress by this school, but as we got to know the community and the sorrounding's of this community we were very disappointed. The school overall needs to work more on how to control BULLYING. We definitely will be moving.