Francisco Ayala, Willow's Head of School, breaks down how outdoor learning works in Grades PreK-8, how it enhances your child's academic and social-emotional growth, and how Willow's unique program — from our campus to our curriculum — turns nature into the perfect...
Outdoor Learning
The Joy of Maple Sugaring at Willow!
What makes a learning experience memorable? It's hands-on. It's more of an experience than a lesson. It connects the dots between different things you know. It's relevant to your life, so what you've just learned is immediately (and often) applied. Willow's annual,...
Join Ms. M’s Summer of Bugs Nature Challenge!
This summer, get outside and explore all of the bugs in your backyard and local park with Ms. M's all-ages Summer of Bugs Nature Challenge! Use your observational skills to seek out bugs that live in the meadows, streams, and ponds near you. Ms. M held a workshop to...
Make Way for Even More Outdoor Learning!
We're excited to learn outside even more this fall, thanks to new outdoor classrooms! As schools prepare to reopen amidst the ongoing pandemic, many are turning to outdoor learning for the first time. At Willow, we've been teaching children outdoors since we were...
Willow Students Participate in National Bird Count
Project FeederWatch at The Willow School Project FeederWatch is a survey conducted by people all over North America. Project FeederWatch is when someone watches their bird feeder(s), bird bath, or plants and counts the number of birds of the same species they...
Willow Maple Festival Featured on NJ News 12
The Willow School's March 5 Maple Festival was featured on NJ News 12's Education Matters segment! Click here to watch! Learn more about this awesome, multi-grade project that incorporates STEAM skills and place-based learning here.
Celebrate Earth Day 2020 at Home! Here’s How
April 22, 2020 is Earth Day, a very special day at Willow! Like many events or milestones this spring, Earth Day 2020 is going to look a little different. While we won't be able to gather together in-person for a day of service, joy, and wonder, we will still be...
The Willow School Hosts NJAIS Workshop “Grow a School Garden”
GLADSTONE, NJ- On Wednesday, February 20, 2013, the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools (NJAIS), as part of their professional development, held a workshop and round table discussion entitled “Grow a School Garden”. Over 45 teachers from 35 schools...
Willow Alumni Reflect on Earth Day
Earth Day is a special day at Willow, as I am sure many of you remember! From the mysterious sword dance to the countless service learning projects, it sure has created some lasting impressions. I reached out to a few alumni from my class (the class of 2019), and I...
Why Is Outdoor Recess Important?
Why is outdoor recess so important? If you want your child to be as healthy as possible, and work as productively in school, then outdoor recess is absolutely crucial. A recent article from Harvard Medical School tells us why playing outside is so important for our...