Delicate, stylized symbol representing growth, wisdom, and nurturing education

Willow

Junior

Children in school uniforms walk and sit in the courtyard of a modern school building.
The Junior Years at Willow
Spanning Grades III to VI, the Junior Years mark a transformative phase—where students begin to deepen their sense of self while expanding their understanding of the world around them.
This is a time of growing independence. Students build essential study habits, develop self-direction, and begin to take ownership of their learning. Alongside academic growth, they explore what it means to be part of a community—learning empathy, collaboration, and responsibility through real-world connections and shared experiences.

Language Immersion
through English Language Arts

Inquiry-Oriented
Learning

Interdisciplinary Study

Creative Computation

Design
Thinking

Language Immersion via English Language Arts

Building fluency and confidence through diverse, meaningful texts

At Willow, we take a modern, immersive approach to English Language Arts. Aligned with American standards, our programme moves beyond the traditional single-novel model. Instead, students engage with a wide range of texts each year—short stories, novels, poetry, and nonfiction—giving them the tools to read with depth, think critically, and communicate with clarity. This rich, multi-textual experience builds strong fluency and comprehension while also fostering a genuine love for language. By exploring different voices, genres, and perspectives, students gain not just literacy skills, but cultural awareness and the confidence to express themselves in a global world.
Two children in school uniforms reading books in a library, with one reading The Jungle Book.

Inquiry-Oriented Learning

Learning through questions, not just answers

At Willow, inquiry is at the heart of how students engage with the world. It’s a process of exploring ideas, making connections, and uncovering new understanding. Instead of simply receiving information, students investigate real questions and challenges. In our Self & Society course, for example, children begin by asking, “What are my roles and responsibilities in the community?” and move toward deeper questions like “How do humans survive and adapt in their environments?”
Boy in school uniform examining plants with a magnifying glass during outdoor exploration.

Interdisciplinary Study

Connecting Subjects, Expanding Minds: Learning Beyond Boundaries

Promoting the expansive thinking necessary to find innovative solutions to real-world problems. By asking students to think across, rather than within, traditional fields of study, the interdisciplinary approach allows them to make new connections and find new perspectives on the topic at hand. Interdisciplinary projects are an important component of the Lower Division curriculum, from the annual Invention Convention to green design challenges to capstone studies of the urban environment.
Children performing a science experiment with measuring tools and safety goggles at a classroom table.

Creative Computation

Empowering students to be creators, not just consumers, of technology

At Willow, creative computation blends computer science, coding, and problem solving with a strong focus on digital responsibility. Students learn how to think computationally—exploring algorithms, modeling, and abstraction—while using technology to solve real problems with purpose and creativity.
Teacher guiding a young girl using a learning app on a tablet, with colorful number blocks and cards on the table.

Design Thinking

Empowering Creative Problem-Solvers to Turn Ideas into Impact

Design Thinking takes center stage in Willow Academy’s Junior years, shaping students into innovative problem solvers. This course guides them from concept to creation, solving real-world problems and honing critical thinking skills. Through hands-on projects, students learn to empathize, ideate, and prototype, fostering creativity and practical problem-solving abilities.

Emphasizing collaboration, Design Thinking at Willow Academy prepares students for the challenges of the future, where adaptability and inventive thinking are essential.

Children working on a “Design Thinking” project in class while a teacher engages with other students.