Just a few short weeks into this school year, we learned that our students had increased the School's API scores by 30 points, bringing us to a schoolwide API of 856!  This marked improvement is the result of hard work on the part of many, many people--specifically our teaching staff and of course, the students and their families.  We view our continued improvement in standardized test scores a validation of our project oriented, multi-disciplinary approach to curriculum.  

Currently, there are two very specific examples of how we incorporate these techniques into our instructional programs:

The Restorators is a team of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students who are studying the origins of the original Willow Creek as well as working to trace its path as it cascades down the watershed.   With the help of maps from the Marin County Public Works Department and exploring on foot, they have determined that a section of the creek is above ground right at the intersection of Bridgeway and Nevada Streets.  The team has set a goal of adopting that section of the creek (which they will need to do with the cooperation of the City of Sausalito and nearby property owners).  With the adoption of the creek, they can then begin to organize work parties to clear the non-native plants and other debris in order to create a welcoming habitat for indigeneous plants and animals.  The ultimate goal is to be able to introduce the local pond turtle into the creek.  This project is funded by State Farm Insurance.

With the help of the Marin Community Foundation, Willow Creek is fortunate to be a participant in a District wide program which is providing teachers with professional development in ways to integrate the arts into the core curriculum.  As a result, all Willow Creek students now have arts instruction woven into their regular classroom day ad also experience a minimum of one visual art class a week with a professional artist.   We are fortunate to be able to increase our students' participation in the arts at a time when many schools are losing their art education programs.

Willow Creek is currently conducting a food drive on behalf of the Marin Community Food Bank.  Our goal is to collect 1000 lbs of food for distribution during the upcoming holiday season.  Please feel free to drop off canned food at the school, should you wish to participate.   Last year we collected 650 lbs. so we figure we can top that figure as we have significantly more students and families this year. 

As a public Charter School, Willow Creek is open to all students who live in California.  However, students living in the Sausalito Marin City School District have priority for admission.  Enrollment forms are available on this web site and various admission deadlines are also explained.  Call 415-33-17530x201 to make an appointment for a visit. 

This year , with the help of our 3rd grade teacher, Anne Siskin and several parents, we are having the garden transformed into a mini-farm.  We now are planting "crops" rather than "stuff".  The planting beds will be filled with a few fall/winter vegetables in order to produce enough of several items to be able to harvest and then eat and cook those products.  With the advent of the fall rains, we now have radishes, carrots, various beans and lettuces sprouting.  As we are an organic garden, we work hard to entice the snails and other nibblers to find some satisfying weeds. 

We will be starting nutrition and cooking classes with our 3rd thorugh 5th graders right after Thanksgiving and our plan is to use as much material from our mini-farm as we can.  Perhaps, come spring time we will even have enough to share with our neighbors in a farmers' market format.

We hope to start a giant composting operation this winter---we want to take advantage of the fact that the majority of our school lunch packaging is compostable and then we can also compost the uneaten portions of much of the lunches.  If anyone out there would like to help us set this up, please feel free to send an email to info@willowcreekacademy.org with your suggestions.