August 7, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

The Willows’ Middle School Program Sets Students Up for Success

By Susan Payne

Great minds grow at The Willows Community School in Los Angeles.

The co-educational independent school is nationally recognized as a balanced, progressive educational leader. For students in the Middle School Program, grades six through eight, academics, identity formation, relationship building and social emotional learning is the essence of high school preparation.

“In the Middle School Program, we emphasize high school readiness and create a clear scope and sequence around different academic subjects. Students have agency and autonomy in the way they demonstrate understanding, utilizing project-based learning skills learned in previous years to bolster their confidence and abilities in the next sequence of their lives,” said Steve Futterman, The Willows’ director of admissions.

The Willows’ challenging academic program is complemented by an exemplary performing and fine arts curriculum, a full range of athletic teams, a rich and thoughtful social emotional learning and life skills curriculum and extracurricular activities. For middle school students, creativity is not restricted to the arts but fostered in every discipline as an essential tool for learning and development. The middle school offers a range of electives like debate and robotics.

“Students have the opportunity to try new things which reflects the leadership opportunities we try to create for our students. If they have a particular interest, we allow them to submit proposals for electives they may be interested in. Whether it’s Mandarin or fashion design, we help them develop a growth mindset,” Futterman said.

IDENTITY FORMATION

The goals of The Willows’ Middle School program are to foster cognition through an intellectually challenging, relevant academic program, strengthen organizational and study skills that enable students to approach academic task with independence and success and to equip students with the foundational skills needed to formulate questions, develop strategies, find solutions, listen critically, communicate clearly and work collaboratively.

Teachers also encourage, nurture and challenge students to challenge themselves and discover and develop their passions during these highly impactful, formative years. In this balanced yet academically challenging and creative environment, students are encouraged to form identities, lead and make a difference in the world around them.

“We recognize that middle school can be a tricky yet exciting time developmentally for students. We strive to be the place where students feel their identity formation is happening without outside influences and want to create a space where students feel safe to explore things that may interest them,” Futterman said.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

Connections are vital during middle school, whether it’s showing leadership and mentorship to students in younger grades, collaborating with classmates, or building relationships with teachers who encourage and support growth.

“Sixth, seventh and eighth graders share some classes outside of their grade levels and are comfortable advocating for themselves and working closely with teachers. As they prepare for high school, they are learning vital skills that will help them form relationships and become leaders in high school and beyond,” Futterman said.

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

The Willows’ commitment to social emotional learning dates back nearly a decade upon adoption of the RULER approach, developed by the director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence.

Representing the five skills of emotional intelligence, R stands for recognizing emotions in oneself and others, U stands for understanding the causes and consequences of emotions, L stands for labeling emotions with a nuanced vocabulary, E stands for expressing emotions in accordance with cultural norms and social context and R stands for regulating emotions with helpful strategies.

This approach allows The Willows’ Middle School Program students to be diligent, empathetic and confident while shining, spreading their wings and taking risks. To learn more about The Willows and its Middle School Program, visit TheWillows.org to set up a tour or information session.

in News
<>Related Posts

Santa Monica’s ICARUS AI Launches Global Grant Initiative, Empowering 5,000 Lives Through Education

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

SANTA MONICA, CA – ICARUS AI https://icarus.education/ a local Artificial Intelligence and education technology company, headquartered right here in Santa...

Santa Monica’s Chez Jay Celebrates 66 Years with Retro Bash by the Beach

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Landmark Restaurant Celebrates With Classic Cars, Live Music, Celebrity Lore One of Los Angeles County’s most storied restaurants will mark...

Swiss Firm Partners with California Startup to Aid Wildfire Recovery With AI Robots

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

The robotic microfactories are designed to fabricate structural wall panels on-site with high precision, aiming to speed up the construction...

Film Review: Weapons

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

By Dolores Quintana You might be asking yourself what the film Weapons is about. Not to worry, writer and director...

Trial Date Set for Alleged ‘Ketamine Queen’ in Matthew Perry’s Death

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Woman Accused in Matthew Perry’s Overdose to Face Jury The woman accused of supplying the fatal dose of ketamine that...

Santa Monica to Enter Mediation Over Ebony Beach Club Land Seizure

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

The decision follows a year-long investigation into White’s efforts to open the Ebony Beach Club—a nonprofit intended to provide a...

(Video) Palisades Rec Center Completes Construction of First Responder-Themed Playground

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

The new playground–which replaces a near-40-year-old one–was made with funds largely generated by the FireAid Benefit Concert. Palisades Rec Center...

Santa Monica Animal Shelter Waives Adoption Fees to Ease Shelter Surge

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Overcrowded Shelter Needs Homes for Cats and Dogs Amid an unprecedented surge in intakes, the Santa Monica Animal Shelter has...

Elvis Meets Oedipus at the Getty Villa in Fall Premiere of Oedipus the King, Mama!

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Getty Villa Stages Rock-Fueled Oedipus Satire Under the Stars The Getty Villa Museum will bring the myth of Oedipus to...

Retail and Dining Could be Coming to RAND’s Santa Monica Headquarters

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

The changes aim to revitalize the underutilized property, which has seen reduced occupancy due to post-pandemic hybrid work trends The...

(Video) Festival of Chariots Transforms Venice Beach Into a Showcase of Indian Culture

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

First held in Los Angeles in 1976, the festival draws inspiration from the ancient Jagannath Puri festival in India Festival...

Side-by-Side Beachfront Homes in Santa Monica  Hit Market for $23M Each

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Designed with minimalist luxury, the residences showcase floor-to-ceiling glass walls and views of the Pacific Ocean Two modern beachfront homes,...

Lane Closures Set for Pacific Coast Highway This Week for Utility Work

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

The closure marks the third and final stage of constructing a new bridge at Corral Canyon Road, where Caltrans is...

Selling Sunset Star Close to Closing $30M Off-Market Deal for Kanye West’s Former Malibu Compound

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

Amanda Lynn Quietly Flips Kanye’s Abandoned Malibu Bunker Real estate agent Amanda Lynn, known for her on-screen presence in Selling...

Adult Great White Spotted Close to Shore in Santa Monica Waters

August 3, 2025

August 3, 2025

Shark Filmed Near Santa Monica Pier Just 50 Yards From Shore Rare footage of an adult great white shark swimming...