On-Campus

On-Campus Academy

Since its inception in 1998, Willow Bend Academy has been providing middle school and high school students with the skills to become independent learners. All programs at Willow Bend Academy enable students to focus on their individual instructional needs and progress at their own pace. The student/teacher ratio is 8:1

Each program at Willow Bend Academy is designed to develop self-confidence and stimulate an interest in the learning process.

Accredited School

Both the Lewisville and Plano campuses are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). SACS accredits both private and public schools (including Plano and Lewisville schools) from Texas to Florida.

Individualized Curriculum

A local psychologist recently visited our campus and commented that he truly appreciated our approach to education. He stated that 80 percent of the high school students are visual learners while 80 percent of the teaching in traditional schools is auditory.

At Willow Bend Academy, curriculum is tailored to the individual student’s learning style. Most of the instruction is visual with one to one auditory teaching between the teacher and the student. At Willow Bend Academy there are no group lecture classes. Certified teachers work individually with students providing assistance and encouragement, which has been shown to be the most effective teaching method. (See FAQ page.) This means that talented students often work ahead of their chronological grade level and often complete more than the minimum number of credits, or meet graduation requirements earlier. Additionally, the student who has some learning differences can be placed so that frustration is minimized and he or she can often regain self-confidence and renew his or her lost love of learning.

Diagnostic Placement

Nothing is more frustrating to a student than to be lock-stepped into a curriculum with his classmates when he or she may be academically ahead of or behind the material that is being taught. One of the first actions at Willow Bend Academy is an assessment of the student’s knowledge and skills. The curriculum is then designed to match the student.

Mastery Learning

Students not only work from an individualized starting point, they master each concept before moving on to the next step. Their rate of progress is not set by having to stay up with the rest of the class (or wait for the rest of the class to catch up), but by their own rate of mastery of the subject.

Three Graduation Plans

Since every student is unique, each student should not have to follow a single, standard program of study. Willow Bend Academy offers students both college preparatory and vocational courses of study. Three graduation plans are offered including Honors, College Preparatory, and General.

Concurrent College Enrollment (Dual Credit)

During their junior and senior years, students may attend approved classes at a local college for both college and high school credit.

Convenient, Flexible Hours

Much of the time in a conventional school is non-productive. At Willow Bend Academy, we seek to make every minute count. Most students come at 8:15 a.m. and leave at 12:15 p.m. or they may arrive at 1:00 p.m. and leave at 5:00 p.m. However, students with special scheduling needs are accommodated as needed.

Staff and Faculty

Willow Bend Academy draws its faculty from among the most caring, interested and talented teachers in the area. Willow Bend Academy requires its teachers to hold at least a Bachelors Degree with a college specialty in a related teaching field. All faculty receive training in the specific methods for developing students into independent learners who set and achieve personal academic goals.