Why choose us

In 1992, Yuka Shimizu founded Bellevue Children’s Academy as an afterschool program designed to offer a more engaging and thoughtful approach to learning.

From the beginning, BCA combined academic rigor with innovative teaching methods, encouraging students to ask questions, think independently, and take an active role in their education.

This early model established the core principles that continue to shape the WPS experience today. 

In 2000, Bellevue Children’s Academy entered a new chapter, evolving from a successful afterschool program into a full-day school. This milestone reflected growing demand from families seeking a more intentional, future-focused educational experience.

As BCA expanded, it built a strong reputation for academic excellence, innovative curriculum design, and a student experience that valued both challenge and care. 

2014 marked the founding of Willows Preparatory School on a newly acquired campus in Redmond.

Set on a beautiful 15-acre campus, Willows Prep was established to extend the BCA educational model beyond elementary years, offering students continuity in both academic approach and school culture.

Designed to support collaboration and deeper learning, our campus provides an environment where students can further develop independence, responsibility, and intellectual curiosity.  

In 2019, Willows Preparatory School expanded to include a high school division.

This development completed our school’s continuum, allowing students to progress their education within the same academic framework through graduation.

The expansion introduced state-of-the-art facilities, including the completion of two modern, green-certified buildings with advanced science labs and flexible learning spaces designed to support collaboration and innovation. 

This was a transformative milestone for Willows Prep, as it became a proud member of the International Schools Partnership - ISP. 

Becoming an ISP school was WPS’s gateway to a dynamic global network of world-class schools. 

It provided access to unparalleled opportunities for our students to collaborate across continents, engage in innovative learning projects, and develop the skills to thrive as true global citizens. The world just became our classroom.  

In 2023, Willows Prep reached a landmark moment with the graduation of its inaugural high school class.

This first cohort set a powerful standard for what a Willows Prep education can lead to. In addition to earning their diplomas, graduates also completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, demonstrating their commitment to rigorous academic achievement.

The class earned acceptances to prestigious institutions around the world and secured more than $500,000 in scholarships, reflecting our strong commitment to preparing students for success.  

In 2024, we reached an important milestone with accreditation from the National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPSA) and Cognia Global Commission. Together, these recognitions reflect the strength of our academic foundation, the quality of our teaching, and the care we take to support each student as an individual. 

With Cognia accreditation awarded for seven years, and NIPSA recognizing the quality of the independent school experience, we continue to nurture a close-knit learning community at one of the most trusted private schools in Redmond, where students are known well, supported thoughtfully, and encouraged to grow with confidence.. 

We marked another important chapter with accreditation from the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), membership in the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), and our International Baccalaureate World School evaluation visit. Together, these milestones affirm the care we bring to teaching and learning, and our commitment to offering an education that is both academically strong and internationally minded.

With our IB evaluation confirming the quality of our program for the next five years, and NCPSA accreditation adding further recognition, we continue to build a school experience where curiosity is encouraged, expectations are meaningful, and every student is known and supported.

Our connection with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) expands opportunities for students to grow through athletics, teamwork, and competition. Through these experiences, learners build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging within the school community.

Alongside our academic and IB foundation, athletics play an important role in helping us support the whole child - encouraging students to discover their strengths, contribute to a team, and contribute meaningfully to school life. 

As an IB World School, we offer a fully integrated educational journey from Grades 5 - 12. Students in Grades 5 - 10 engage in the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), before progressing into the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Grades 11-12, creating a clear and purposeful path through Middle and High School.

Across every grade, the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning help students develop curiosity, resilience, empathy, reflection, and independence.

Supported by personalized attention, and a strong culture of inquiry, students at our IB school in Washington grow into confident learners who are prepared to thrive academically, socially, and personally. 

At Willows Prep, college counseling is a carefully designed journey that begins in Middle School and develops step by step through Grade 12. Students explore interests early, strengthen executive functioning and academic identity, and gradually build the confidence and readiness needed for future success.

During High School, this guidance becomes increasingly tailored. Students and families work closely with counselors to shape four-year plans, refine university goals, align IB choices with aspirations, and navigate testing, applications, and decision-making with confidence.

With a 40:1 student-counselor ratio and an average SAT score of 1530, the program reflects both ambitious outcomes and highly personalized support families expect from a preparatory school in Redmond. 

Student life at Willows Prep offers meaningful opportunities for learners to explore their interests, build confidence, and form lasting connections beyond the classroom.Through a diverse range of clubs, leadership roles, and athletics, including basketball, volleyball, cross country, soccer, ultimate frisbee, tennis, and track, students challenge themselves and embrace new experiences.

Throughout the week, learners pursue their passions and contribute to a strong sense of belonging within a globally minded community. From Student Senate and our House System to student-led initiatives, each experience encourages students to take initiative, lead with purpose, and grow in ways that extend far beyond academics. 

Each student at Willows Prep is known, challenged thoughtfully, and supported with care. Small class sizes and a 1:9 student-teacher ratio allow teachers to tailor instruction through personalized goal-setting, dynamic assessment, and feedback cycles aligned with IB rubrics.

This approach gives students a clear understanding of their learning, their next steps, and how to move forward with intention.

Visible thinking routines, reflection journals, and student-led conferences strengthen metacognition over time, helping learners speak confidently about their growth and take ownership of their progress.

With a community representing more than 30 countries and 40 languages, students learn alongside peers with diverse experiences, enriching classroom dialogue and deepening mutual understanding.

This international mindset is further developed through a structured language program at this bilingual school in Redmond. Spanish begins in Grade 5 and progresses steadily toward fluency, evolving from foundational communication and cultural exploration to advanced reading, writing, and discussion in the upper grades.

Alongside ISP's International Learning Opportunities for Students (ILOS), students build the language skills, confidence, and cultural awareness needed to engage effectively in an interconnected world. 

Our Student Support Program is designed to make sure every student has access to the tools, guidance, and encouragement they need to thrive. Support includes one-to-one check-ins, after-school academic help, social skills groups, and electives focused on executive functioning, organization, time management, and self-advocacy. 

For students with language-based learning differences, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and auditory processing challenges, the school also offers targeted support through specialist partnership. 

In a learning environment shaped by curiosity and inquiry, students develop the academic and personal skills they need to thrive beyond school.

Guided by the IB Learner Profile and enriched by ISP’s Big Five - Cognitive, Global, Self-Leadership, Interpersonal, and Digital - learners grow into reflective, resilient individuals who can navigate challenges, collaborate with purpose, and make meaningful contributions to their community.  

At Willows Preparatory School, technology is integrated with intention to enrich learning, strengthen collaboration, and support creativity across the school day. Through a secure digital ecosystem connected to Microsoft 365, students and teachers work in an environment that makes learning more connected, efficient, and engaging.

Leaners are guided to use technology with maturity, responsibility, and care. Digital citizenship is taught explicitly, helping students understand privacy, respectful communication, and the impact of their choices online.

AI tools may enhance learning when thoughtfully guided by teachers, but they never replace student thinking. Together, strong safeguarding systems and clear expectations help students grow into thoughtful future-ready digital learners. 

Performing and visual arts are a dynamic part of school life, giving students meaningful opportunities to explore creativity, take risks, and develop their individual voice. Across the school day, electives and courses build skills in acting, music, visual art, stage makeup, supported by spaces designed for artistic exploration, rehearsal, and performance.

Beyond the classroom, students take part in productions, student-directed performances, Thespian experiences, and festivals that deepen both ambition and achievement. With expert guidance, they learn to collaborate, communicate with confidence, and bring creative ideas to life. 

Our 15-acre campus in Redmond brings together the Main, East, and West Buildings in one connected learning environment. Students learn across all three as part of their daily experience, creating a school day that feels dynamic and cohesive.

Across campus, students benefit from purpose-built learning spaces, including technology-equipped classrooms, science and innovation labs, creative studios for the arts, and dedicated areas for performance, sport, and community life.

Sustainability is embedded into daily operations through features such as solar panels, smart LED lighting, and efficient heating and cooling systems. The result is a campus that feels forward-looking and built to support every dimension of student life at one of the leading private schools in Redmond. 

ISP schools are a shared ecosystem of innovation and ambition. Students embark on a dynamic and personalized learning journey, guided by the transformative Learning.First™ approach, unique only to the ISP family of schools. They learn through 5 pillars enriched by worldwide collaborations, solving real-world problems with peers across continents.

This powerful combination of academic achievement, multilingual learning and international opportunities creates unparalleled future pathways, preparing students for top universities and global careers.