September 28, 2026 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
Willows Preparatory School has introduced a set of new academic programs, including an integrated STEM curriculum, an expanded arts and humanities offering, an international studies program with language immersion, and increased professional development for its faculty.
The STEM curriculum is built around integration rather than separate, stand-alone subjects. Instead of treating science, technology, engineering, and math as isolated periods, projects draw on several disciplines at once. A unit on water quality, for example, can involve collecting and graphing data, designing a simple filtration system, testing it, and writing up the results. The emphasis is on reasoning, measurement, and explaining how a conclusion was reached, which are skills that carry over into any field. Redmond’s position at the center of a large regional technology sector gives students an unusually direct view of how those skills are used in practice, and the school draws on that setting where it can.
The arts and humanities program adds depth in visual arts, music, theater, and literature. It is intended to carry equal weight alongside STEM rather than serve as an elective afterthought. Students who spend time performing, making art, and reading closely develop habits that strengthen their other work: revising drafts, taking critique, presenting in front of others, and interpreting material that does not have a single correct answer.
Classroom technology has been updated as part of the changes, with an accompanying focus on digital literacy. That includes learning to evaluate the reliability of online sources, understanding how personal information is collected and shared, and using tools responsibly. The school approaches technology as something students should learn to use well, not simply something they should have more access to.
The international studies program includes language immersion experiences and cultural exchange opportunities developed through partnerships with schools and organizations abroad. Language learning is most effective with sustained exposure, and immersion elements give students practical use of what they study in class. Families should ask about the specific languages offered, the grade levels at which exchange opportunities begin, and any additional costs associated with travel.
Faculty professional development has been expanded to support the new programs. Teachers receive time for training and for collaborative planning across subjects, which interdisciplinary teaching requires. Integrated projects only work when teachers in different disciplines coordinate their units, and that coordination depends on scheduled time rather than informal effort.
The school also holds regular conversations with parents and community members about its academic direction, giving families a way to ask questions and offer input on new initiatives.
For families researching private high schools in Redmond, WA, or planning ahead for that transition, the school recommends asking consistent questions of every program under consideration. Useful ones include how large classes are, how the school supports students who are ahead or behind, what the homework expectations look like, how technology is used and limited, and what extracurricular options are available. Washington private schools must be approved by the State Board of Education, and many also hold accreditation through organizations such as the Northwest Association of Independent Schools. Asking about both provides a useful baseline for comparison.
Tuition, financial aid availability, application deadlines, and any entrance assessments should also be clear early, since timelines at private high schools in Redmond, WA and across the Eastside often run well ahead of the school year in question.
Tour scheduling and admissions information are available through the Willows Preparatory School website.
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For more information about Willows Preparatory School, contact the company here:
Willows Preparatory School
Willows Preparatory School
(425) 644-7345
info@willowsprep.com
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