Testimonials

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    Hear what past Willis STEAM Academy students and parents have to say about our program
     
    Student Testimonials
     
    You all really did prepare me and the other STEAM students so so well for high school, and I couldn't be more grateful. Thank you for all that you did for us! Josh N. 
     

    Hello! My name is Cullen Schreiner. I am at Basha High School and I was part of Willis STEAM for my 7th and 8th grade years, after being at Knox for Elementary School. For any child or parent looking into the program, I would highly recommend it. You will be guided by caring, hard-working, and dedicated teachers who pride themselves in the success of their students in the classroom and in life. You will be able to build long-lasting friendships with phenomenal students who are also striving to achieve great things academically and socially.  I am grateful for such an amazing middle school experience and will always look back at that time with fond memories.

    The two years I spent at the Willis STEAM Academy were the best two years of my school career. The close-knit community of students and teachers allowed me to get to know my peers and teachers to a depth that would be impossible in other programs. The grading system taught me to always give 110%, which helped me to produce some of my best work. The STEAM Academy is rigorous and exciting, and the teachers know how to help each individual student succeed. The teachers are very supportive of extracurriculars, and projects within the program enable students to find their passion. STEAM provides a unique opportunity to not only study an advanced curriculum but to also learn academic and life skills that prepare students for any number of scenarios in the future that may require critical thinking, textual analysis, logical reasoning, and/or time management. My time in the STEAM Academy prepared me for high school and life and helped me grow as a student and as a person. I strongly believe that all students should be able to have an experience like the one Willis STEAM provides. 

    Emma W

    The high-level analysis and depth of each assignment has truly helped to establish a standard for my work that makes it easy to succeed in the fast-paced, challenging high school environment. It is truly amazing to reflect on how advanced of thinking is expected in the STEAM Academy on a daily basis. Their instruction in the art of remaining organized and managing multiple assignments at a time has also been a vital part of my success in high school, as being able to stay on top of (at least) six classes at once proves challenging without these skills. Overall, between the thought-provoking, in-depth projects and learning of vital life skills, the STEAM Academy has truly been a great preparation for the rest of my academic career.

     There are really two big takeaways that I learned from my time in junior high that I now recognize are so valuable to not only your time in junior high, but in high school, college, and beyond. The first is primarily academic, but it relates more to your work ethic than academic ability. Take your academics seriously. Work hard and establish good study habits now, so that you don't have to go through a rough transition as you move onto more advanced and more demanding classes. Succeeding in a high-level class is just as much about how hard you work as it is how much aptitude you may have in the subject. The second is a more broad-reaching life lesson that is so important to remember as you go through life. Surround yourself with good people who you care about and enjoy being around, but also who truly care about you in return and are invested in seeing you succeed. There will be a lot of obstacles throughout your life, and having a strong support system will be vital in overcoming them. Lastly, of course, enjoy your time in junior high! It only comes once, so make the most of it!
    - Chloe, former student
     
     
    Parent Testimonials
     

    I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your exceptional teaching.   My son is currently enrolled in a challenging course load at Chandler High, and he is doing exceptionally well. When we ask how school is going, he tells us it is easy because he had all of you.   Thank you for preparing him so well.  I can not express how much I appreciate all of you. Jessica S. 

    My daughter is currently a freshman at ACP High School, and she is excelling. She has come home on numerous occasions telling me how grateful she is to STEAM for preparing her for high school.  She feels very confident in her writing and note-taking skills and is incredibly organized.  She was one of very few who knew what 3 point writing was and has had zero stress when given an assignment to write an essay in the span of an hour class period. It is a muscle she had to flex over and over again throughout her time in STEAM.  Honors Biology has also been a very enjoyable class because she came in with all the knowledge she gained from 8th grade. She was even asked to partake in  biotech lessons because she is doing so well.  She has always had a love for school and learning, and the Willis STEAM program really nurtured that.  Ms. Roberts' name comes up a lot. She puts such an emphasis on the whole. It wasn't just about history or notes, it was about who each student was as a person, how they were doing socially and mentally, and that has done more for my daughter than I can say.  Thank you, Willis STEAM for setting my daughter up for success. I have my fingers crossed that Ms. Roberts,  Mr. Kimble and Mr. Prichard will still be the core of the Willis STEAM program 2 years from now when my son is ready for 7th grade because I know he will excel just as his sister did. Thank you to Willis STEAM for your dedication to our kids, past, present and future.  
     
    - Sarah T.  

    One of the best educational decisions I made was to send my children to the STEAM program as Willis Junior High School. The teachers are some of the best educators in the state, and the quality of students they produce is exceptional.  The teachers clearly care about the students, which is clear in their interactive, hand-on approach to teaching.  The teachers have high expectations of their students and then give the students the skills and abilities to reach those expectations.  Each of my children have been very prepared for high school and were given the tools in the Willis STEAM program to excel once there.   - Laura C. 

    Five of our children have chosen the Willis STEAM program after elementary school at KGA, and all of them are glad that they did. In the STEAM House they felt like they belonged. Even during the pandemic distance-learning days, the teachers fostered connection by supporting the creation of a shared gaming server for STEAM House. Those friendships, and even that gaming server have lasted into high school. After-school clubs based on shared nerdy interests, shockingly-good-for-junior-high music programs, school sports, and memorable field trips all contributed to a positive and memorable junior high experience. The STEAM program also excels academically. The teachers set the bar high. Above-average effort is expected. But the teachers are passionate about seeing each student succeed. It’s not a frustrating environment where success is always just out of reach, but one where our kids were mentored and encouraged. As one of our boys described it, “they taught us to work hard, but didn’t ever overwork us.” Moving on to high school, our children have been very happy - I might even say giddy - with how well-prepared they were. Some of their AP and honors classes haven’t caught up with the things they learned at Willis. And they have developed the study skills, work ethic, and confidence to approach any new academic challenge. We wholeheartedly recommend the Willis STEAM program. -Brian & Tonia K. 

    Willis STEAM Academy is such a welcoming and positive environment. The top notch teachers really take the time to get to know and understand each individual child and that has made all the difference for my three distinctly different boys. The teachers keep the curriculum interesting with project-based learning and integration of the subjects and they make sure students are well prepared for high school. I also love that my boys are able to choose from a variety of electives and mix with the rest of the diverse community at Willis.

    Chamin HigginsOwner, Delightful Desserts designed by Chamin www.facebook.com/delightfuldessertsdesignedbychamin or chaminh.wixsite.com/delightfuldesserts

    "Willis STEAM Academy is the best!!  I love all the challenges in learning that they have provided my children with over the years.  They delve into subjects and explore topics many kids aren't exposed to.  They foster both independent and team learning.  My kids have built and learned some pretty amazing things and are beyond well prepared when entering high school.  The teachers are amazing and treat the students with respect." 

    Tiffany A.  

    My name is Rachel Willes and I have had two children in the Willis STEAM Academy.  I wish I had known about it when my oldest went through Willis Junior High!  The experience my kids have had with Willis Steam Academy is amazing for two reasons:  not only has it better prepared them for higher education but it has also has taught them important life skills.  First, the education my kids received at Willis STEAM Academy exceeds every expectation.  The teachers truly love the students and think of amazing ways to teach that fully involves the students on all levels.  My kids learn more and retain more through the teaching methods Willis Steam Academy uses.  School is actually fun!  Most of the time. Second, I appreciate and commend the teachers for also teaching my kids valuable skills for success: i.e. planning & organizing; working together; thinking outside of the box; and supporting each other’s successes. The second benefit of Willis Steam Academy is almost the most important as I see other students come out of school unable to handle their own futures.  I completely recommend enrolling your student in the Willis STEAM Academy. 

    The Willis STEAM Academy was a fantastic opportunity for both of our children.  It provided them exposure to concepts in math, science, and engineering that aren't typically available until high school or college.  It gave them a solid foundation to build their academic careers upon.

    There were many opportunities for small team projects, which allowed them to collaborate and take advantage of each other's strengths.  They learned how to work together, how to resolve conflicts, and how to squeeze the best performance out of a solution.

    Our children were surrounded by other high-performers, both in-district and out-of-district.  This  created a bit of competition and rivalry, and inevitably forced them to reach higher than they thought they could, as a rising tide lifts all boats.  When one student invented or discovered a new idea, it would spread like wildfire, with different variations and improvements appearing within hours, let alone days.

     The Willis STEAM Academy fostered the atmosphere that learning is fun, that innovation is rewarded, and did a fantastic job of preparing both of our children for high school and beyond.  We are very happy that we were a part of this experience.

    Gene and Sarah

    "Our family loves Willis Gifted Academy! They provide a wonderful, transitional environment in which my kiddos have learned and grown so much. Willis Gifted Academy teachers significantly increase the academic and organizational expectations, while also providing support and a “soft place to land” as our students struggle to achieve them. They expect students to accept responsibility and grow individually, while providing many opportunities to collaborate with their peers both in daily activities and in immersive projects. The depth of knowledge and mastery of skills my kiddos have achieved in their years at Willis prepared them to spread their wings and fly in high school. They arrived as fresh faced kiddos unsure what to expect from the junior high environment. They left Willis two years later, academically “toughened up”, emotionally bonded to friends new and old, and so very ready for the next step… high school."

    Heather B.