Academic achievement at Willows Prep - one of the most academically rigorous private middle schools in Redmond -.is measured through a balanced combination of ongoing assessment, end-of-unit performance, and standardized growth data. In the MYP, formative assessments make up 20% of the overall course grade and help students, teachers, and families monitor understanding throughout the learning process.

Summative assessments account for 80% of the grade, measuring what students can demonstrate at the end of a unit through percentages, narrative feedback, and IB rubric scores. In addition, students in Grades 5-8 take the NWEA MAP Growth Test twice a year, giving families another clear measure of current achievement and academic growth over time.

Through the IB framework, Middle School students build the habits and competencies needed to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

As they move through the MYP, they strengthen communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and reflection while learning to manage their time, organize their work, and grow in self-awareness. Supported by a school culture that values inquiry, empathy, resilience, and global citizenship, students develop the confidence and executive functioning skills that prepare them for the challenges of the IB pathway and life beyond school.

Our students learn Spanish through a purposeful sequence that builds in complexity each year. In Grade 5, learners are introduced to basic greetings, vocabulary, and cultural traditions from across the Spanish-speaking world. In Grades 6 - 7, they strengthen speaking, listening, reading, and writing while building a solid foundation in vocabulary and grammar.

As they progress, they build fluency and confidence through Spanish classes taught primarily in the target language, reflecting the immersive standards of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

By Grade 8, learners at this bilingual school in Redmond engage with more complex structures and express ideas through extended writing across multiple tenses, with some students beginning to earn high school credit as part of Willows Prep’s progressive Spanish pathway.

Students at our international school in Redmond broaden their horizons through meaningful experiences beyond the classroom. In Grades 5 - 8, they take part in off-campus learning adventures that connect directly to their growth and learning, from team-building at annual retreats to environmental and outdoor education experiences throughout Washington State. Past locations have included IslandWood and Mount Rainier Institute. In Grade 8, students also explore major historical and cultural landmarks during the East Coast Learning Adventure, with visits to cities such as Boston, New York City, and Washington.

Each year, International Learning Opportunities for Students (ILOS) inspire students to pursue their interests, whether in science, art, chess, or social activism, while building the skills needed to thrive in an interconnected world.

In Grades 5 - 8, students start building the foundation for their future pathways by exploring emerging interests, engaging in career fairs, and gradually becoming comfortable reflecting on what motivates and inspires them.

With guidance from counselors, students and families at our private Middle School in Redmond start shaping long-term plans, exploring extracurricular opportunities, and developing the self-awareness needed to thrive in our International Baccalaureate Programme and beyond.