Walla Walla families have an exciting new learning option for kids. The Willow School, a new charter school, opened its doors on August 13th. The Willow School is a free public school open to all students, serving grades 6 and 7. Next fall the school will also expand to 8th grade.

Unlike traditional schools, charter school attendance is based on parent choice, not on assignments by administrators based on where families live. 

Laura Hyke describes what the school means for her son David, age 11: “I’m really excited to have him be in a smaller class size, in a school that also provides social and emotional support.”

Armando Bacilio, age 11, says, “My mom and dad want me to come [to Willow]. I need to catch up on stuff. Here, I can get help.”

Armando’s father says, “Armando is following steps to get a good job and be part of the community.” The Bacilios have lived in Walla Walla for 14 years. The parents say they will probably send their sons Edgar, 7, and Axel, 6, to Willow too. “We want to help the school succeed,” they say.

The Willow School is located at the corner of West Poplar and West Alder streets in Walla Walla.  Dan Calzaretta, Willow’s executive director, says: 

“Willow scholars will love their classes. Every Willow scholar will be academically prepared for high school, college and career.”

Mr. Calzaretta was a teacher at Pioneer Middle School in Walla Walla. While developing plans to open Willow, Mr. Calzaretta and his team met with local parents to hear what they want in a new school. Parents said they want school leaders who listen to them, and who meet the individual needs of children.

Once at full capacity, Willow will have 255 students. Student wear uniforms, which helps build school identity and help teachers keep children safe. Willow’s program is designed to make learning engaging and fun for students. Classes include project-based learning, interesting electives and community projects. Courses will also include learning Spanish.

Willow teachers have customized instruction to meet each child’s learning needs, while also providing 10 additional days of learning.

Each student will receive a free laptop. The laptop will be equipped with the Summit Learning Platform, one of the most innovative teaching platforms available. With this learning tool, Willow teachers will help students catch up as needed and show students how to take responsibility for their own learning. Willow’s educational approach is to let students progress at their own pace.   

This innovative school became possible when state voters passed a public charter school law, making Washington the 42nd state to do so.

Like other charters, Willow School is independently run, and free from many top-down bureaucratic rules that limit learning in traditional schools.  Willow is approved by state regulators and meets all state academic, equal opportunity and safety requirements.

Washington has 12 public charter schools educating 3,500 students. Most of these students come from low-income, minority backgrounds, whose families are underserved by traditional district-run schools. Charter schools are popular with parents and students.  About one thousand children are on charter school waiting lists in Washington state. Because attendance is based on choice, parents find that charter teachers and administrators are more responsive and sensitive to the unique learning needs of each child.

Given Willow’s serious yet flexible academic program, and its enthusiastic support from parents, the new school is earning the respect and support of the broader Walla Walla community. Walla Walla is fortunate to have Willow’s pioneering educators offer families this strong middle school option.