Berkeley Parents Network: Willard Middle School

Berkeley Parents Network

Willard Middle School

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > Berkeley Public Schools > Willard Middle School

Parent Reviews of Willard

Jan 2007

I would be interested to hear from parents with children at Willard in Berkeley about their experience at the school as I am considering it for my 6th grade son for next year. Good or bad I would love to know what you think. Thank you very much in advance. Tracey

I have a couple observations regarding Williard Middle School. My child (though a kindergartender) attends Emerson, and we live on Stuart St near Williard. I recently met and talked with the new Principal who came to speak with perspective families at Emerson. I've also met parents who live in the Le Conte neighbor whose children already attend the school. My view of Willard has changed in the last 6 months or so largely due to their enthusiasm and ideas. The Principal and current parents speak positively of the school. The Principal clearly addressed child safety on and off campus (which includes children walking home). There are high hopes for the new and current Principal to make Willard a CA distinguished school in the near future. I've also seen how parent involvement, which seems to be thriving in this school zone, postively impacts the schools. I encourage you to visit and talk with the Principal and other families attending Willard. Dawn

January 2003

Both of my children attended Willard- each for 3 years (6 consecutive years). Our daughter graduated last year so I can't speak to the current year, but we were consistantly happy with Willard. The quality and dedication of the teachers and staff ,despite cuts in every aspect of school life, was amazing! Our children both came from private schools and both felt the quality of teaching was higher at Willard. We had the (very) occasional less than perfect teacher but the over all standards are outstanding. I can't imagine my children will ever have better teachers than a few of the ones they had at Willard. I wish Berkely High could live up to their standards in some small way. barbara

My daughter is in the 8th grade at Willard and has had a great experience academically and socially. My younger child will enter this Fall. The teachers and principal are very talented and dedicated. karen

My daughter has been at Willard since the 6th grade and is in her last year there now. Although Willard has a 'checkered' reputation, we have found it to be a very good experience for her because of the excellent teaching staff . Each year my daughter has had teachers that she loved, who were dedicated and truly liked their students. This year she has 3 (!) teachers (History, Math, and Science) she feels this way about. Because of the strong teaching staff, I think Willard is an excellent choice for Middle School. stephani

This is our first year at Willard (6th grade). My daughter spent the last two years at a small private school, and before that was in a Berkeley public school. She is doing VERY well at Willard. I thought she would feel lost in such a huge school, but she has welcomed the opportunity to meet more people to be friends with, likes the diversity (economic and racial) and also likes the anonymity of the large group. She has made new friends and has met old friends there. Her teachers are the most dedicated group of teachers I have encountered thus far. They are responsive and caring. My daughter is doing well academically. One of her teachers has taught his class how to ask questions in order to get the answer they need, instead of just saying ''I don't know''. This well be very valuable in the future. There is a lot of homework and sometimes it feels overwhelming. There is a big focus on the grade that the kids get, but to me that's a motivating force to keep at it. It doesn't feel like a competition between the kids from what my daughter says.

We haven't had any major problems. The one incident that did happen was dealt with quickly and efficiently, thanks to the VP.

It's a big school and the communication is pretty disorganized. It works better if you have email, if you don't then you're left out of the loop. Kind of exclusive, as not all parents have email. They do mail stuff out though.

The after-school program took a while to get going, but now it's in full-swing and works really well. The folks who run it are friendly and thoughtful. The kids can do their homework and then go onto a fun activity. The library is also open until 4 (except on Wed) for quiet homework, reading or work on the computers. The library, by the way, is a great place, run by a very smart, dedicated woman!

The 6th grade has something called the ''wheel'', where they rotate 4 times in the year through art (visual and performing), computers (my daughter said this was REALLY good as she learned how to type!), PE (which includes health and swimming), and Spanish. This is the only PE the kids get in 6th grade!!! Disappointing, but my daughter takes dance outside of school anyway.

I was very skeptical about Willard, but now I feel it's the best place for my daughter and she is thriving.

November 2003

Re: music programs in middle schools
Hi, I think I can provide some information on Music in Berkeley's middle schools. My experience comes from two sources. First, I have a daughter playing in the Willard Orchestra right now. Second, I an building a volunteer program to support music in BUSD by putting music loving community members in classrooms to support music teachers and I have spent a lot of time in the last few years volunteering in classrooms myself.

Financial shortages and an very strong emphasis on test scores and closing the "achievement gap" have hurt Berkeley's music program, particularly at the middle school level. With the exception of one class at Longfellow, all middle school music classes have been moved to M-F at "zero period" (7:45 - 8:30 AM).

This schedule could have had the advantage of reducing conflict with other electives like advanced algebra and languages in a six period day which has little room for electives. Unfortunately, important electives are now also being offered exclusively in the morning in conflict with music. The Willard band now has about 25-30 kids, but the orchestra is down to six while many young string players opt for advanced algebra.

On the other hand, there are some very strong positives at the moment at Willard. Both music teachers are excellent. My daughter, a bass violin player, could not receive more encouragement and support. Music is her current favorite activity at Willard. Her orchestra teacher is a talented violist who also teaches on the college level. I volunteer for the band teacher once a week and she is also very dedicated to the kids and full of enthusiasm.

I can't promise you that the same teachers will be at Willard next year. The days of a music teacher being attached to a single school are gone, at least for the moment. Music teachers travel in teams to as many as six schools each week. You could call the Berkeley Music Department and ask about who will be at Willard next year. (510-644-8831)

In addition, all Berkeley middle schoolers have an opportunity in the spring to spend a weekend music retreat at Cazadero music camp where they work in an intensive way culminating in a concert for their families on Sunday. This weekend is subsidized by a grant and costs the kid's families very little ($25-$75) It can be a great experience for your child.

You might also look into the Crowden School after school program. Crowden is a top notch private school for kids whose primary interest is music. They have an after school program for which, I have been told, scholarships are available.

I would be happy to talk to anyone further about Berkeley's school music program, both how to get them most from it for your child, and how to best support it. You can get more information on the volunteer program at http://guest.xinet.com/kridle/MusicVols/index.htm. Bob

PS - As you are probably aware, BUSD is in the middle of further "belt tightening." Michelle Lawrence, our Superintendent, is now holding a series of community meetings at the schools. This is an attempt to identify core values for the district which will be supported in next years reduced budget. If you have strong feelings about music and art in our schools, it is important to attend some of these meetings and be heard.

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