Willows Academy
Willows Academy: Cultivating Intellectual and Spiritual Excellence for Young Women
Willows Academy is a private, all-girls Catholic school located in Des Plaines, Illinois, in the greater Chicago area. With a mission rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and a commitment to forming women of faith, character, and academic strength, Willows Academy has spent decades developing a community that values leadership, virtue, and excellence.
Serving grades 6 through 12, the school is renowned for its classical education, dedicated faculty, low student-to-teacher ratio, and focus on integral formation—an educational approach that nurtures the mind, body, and soul. As a result, Willows graduates not only excel academically but also emerge as articulate, thoughtful, and confident women grounded in Catholic values and prepared to impact the world.
1. Historical Background and Mission
Founded in 1974, Willows Academy was established by a group of parents and educators inspired by the teachings of St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, with a vision of forming young women intellectually, morally, and spiritually.
The School’s Core Mission:
To provide a comprehensive liberal arts education in a Christ-centered environment, helping young women reach their full potential as students, leaders, and disciples of Christ.
From its inception, Willows has emphasized academic excellence, moral character, and service to others. The school’s success lies in the personal attention given to each student, with a focus on helping them grow as whole persons.
2. Academic Excellence: Classical and College-Prep
Willows Academy offers a rigorous academic curriculum grounded in the liberal arts tradition. The school challenges students with a balanced education that hones intellectual curiosity, logic, reasoning, and creativity.
Core Academic Subjects:
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English Literature and Composition: Emphasis on classical works, essay writing, and critical reading.
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Mathematics: From Pre-Algebra in middle school to AP Calculus and Statistics in high school.
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Science: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics labs integrated with hands-on projects.
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History: Western Civilization, U.S. History, and World Studies from a Catholic worldview.
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Theology: Doctrine, Scripture, moral theology, Church history, and apologetics.
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Foreign Language: Latin and Spanish with emphasis on reading, writing, and conversational fluency.
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Fine Arts: Visual arts, music appreciation, drama, and creative writing.
Academic Features:
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Small class sizes, averaging 10–14 students per class.
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Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) offerings in key subjects.
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Classical education elements such as Socratic seminars, logic, and rhetoric.
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Emphasis on grammar, writing structure, and persuasive speaking.
Willows’ educational model prepares students to thrive in the best colleges and universities, equipping them with skills to think critically, write effectively, and articulate ideas confidently.
3. Faith Formation and Spiritual Life
Willows Academy integrates Catholic teaching into every aspect of school life. Faith formation is not limited to theology classes—it permeates the curriculum, extracurriculars, and relationships among students and faculty.
Hallmarks of Spiritual Life:
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Daily Mass and regular opportunities for Confession and Eucharistic Adoration.
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Theology classes rooted in Magisterial teaching.
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Spiritual mentoring available to all students.
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Seasonal retreats, including silent retreats, for deeper reflection and prayer.
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Active campus ministry, mission trips, and service projects.
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Observance of the liturgical calendar and Marian devotions.
The school works closely with priests of Opus Dei, who offer spiritual direction, sacraments, and formation for students and faculty. Students are encouraged to develop a personal relationship with Christ and a lifelong habit of prayer and virtue.
4. Personal Mentoring Program
One of the most unique aspects of Willows Academy is its mentoring system. Each student is paired with a faculty or staff member who serves as a mentor, meeting one-on-one biweekly to discuss goals, challenges, and personal development.
Benefits of Mentorship:
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Personalized academic and spiritual guidance.
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Encouragement to set short- and long-term goals.
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Help in time management and stress reduction.
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Formation in virtues like perseverance, honesty, and humility.
This system fosters meaningful relationships and helps students navigate adolescence with confidence, self-knowledge, and grace.
5. All-Girls Environment: Empowering Young Women
As an all-girls school, Willows Academy provides a safe and empowering environment where young women are encouraged to lead, speak out, and support one another.
Advantages of the Single-Gender Model:
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Increased participation in class discussions and leadership roles.
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Freedom from peer pressure around appearance or social status.
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Strong sense of sisterhood and collaboration.
The culture of the school promotes confidence and academic ambition. Girls graduate with the ability to express themselves clearly, lead with integrity, and form lasting friendships.
6. Extracurricular Activities
While academic excellence and spiritual life form the core of the school, Willows also offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities to support personal enrichment and student leadership.
Clubs and Activities:
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Student Council
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National Honor Society
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Yearbook and Journalism Club
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Debate and Speech Team
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Theater and Drama Productions
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Art Club, Music Ensemble, and Choir
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STEM Club and Math Club
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Pro-Life Club and Campus Ministry
These activities provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, teamwork, public speaking, and creativity.
7. Athletics
Willows Academy offers competitive inter-scholastic sports that focus on developing physical health, sportsmanship, and school spirit.
Athletic Offerings:
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Volleyball
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Basketball
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Soccer
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Cross Country
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Track & Field
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Cheerleading
Athletic teams are coached by faculty and community members who encourage discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Athletes are taught to compete with excellence and grace, emphasizing virtue on and off the field.
8. College Counseling and Success
Willows Academy has a strong record of preparing its students for college admission and success. The school’s college guidance program begins early in high school, helping students explore their interests and aspirations.
College Prep Services:
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One-on-one college counseling
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ACT/SAT test prep and guidance
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College essay and application workshops
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Financial aid and scholarship advising
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Assistance with internships and volunteer hours
Graduates attend a wide variety of institutions, including Catholic universities, Ivy League schools, liberal arts colleges, and STEM-focused universities.
Willows alumnae often cite their academic preparedness, confidence, and grounded faith as key advantages during their college years.
9. Alumnae Network and Legacy
Willows graduates form a strong alumnae community that continues to support the school and mentor younger students. Many return as guest speakers, mentors, or faculty members.
Alumnae have gone on to successful careers in:
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Medicine and nursing
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Law and public policy
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Education and academia
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Business and finance
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Religious life and ministry
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Journalism and the arts
They often describe Willows as a second home and credit the school for shaping their intellect, faith, and friendships.
10. Parental Involvement and Family Culture
Willows Academy views parents as the primary educators and actively involves families in school life. A spirit of community, shared values, and trust defines the parent-school relationship.
Family Engagement Includes:
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Parent-teacher conferences and academic check-ins
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School Masses, parent prayer groups, and retreats
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Parent volunteer opportunities
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Social events and fundraisers
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Ongoing communications through newsletters and updates
This close partnership helps reinforce the moral and academic formation students receive in the classroom.
11. Diversity and Unity of Faith
While rooted in Catholic tradition, Willows Academy is open to students of all faith backgrounds who are respectful of the school’s mission. The student body reflects a range of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
The school fosters a climate of inclusion and dialogue, encouraging students to understand and appreciate other cultures while deepening their own faith identity.
12. Accreditation and Governance
Willows Academy is fully accredited by respected educational bodies and adheres to high standards of academic and institutional integrity.
Key Governance Elements:
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Board of Directors made up of parents, alumnae, and Catholic leaders.
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Clear code of conduct and mission-aligned policies.
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Regular self-evaluation and strategic planning for continuous improvement.
13. Admissions and Financial Aid
Willows Academy seeks students who are committed to learning and growing within a Catholic environment. The admissions process includes a student application, academic transcripts, standardized test scores, and a family interview.
Financial Assistance:
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Need-based financial aid is available.
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Merit scholarships for academic achievement.
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Tuition payment plans for family convenience.
The school is committed to making its education accessible to families from a variety of financial situations.
14. Vision for the Future
Willows Academy continues to expand its programs and strengthen its mission in response to the needs of today’s young women. Future goals include:
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Expanding STEM offerings and labs.
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Enhancing fine arts facilities and digital tools.
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Broadening service learning and international mission opportunities.
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Deepening alumnae and professional mentorship programs.
At every step, the school remains anchored in its Catholic identity, commitment to virtue, and focus on excellence.
Conclusion
Willows Academy is more than a school—it is a formative community where young women grow into intelligent, articulate, faithful, and compassionate leaders. Through its commitment to academic rigor, spiritual depth, and personal mentorship, Willows shapes students who are well-prepared to meet the challenges of the world with clarity, virtue, and joy.
Families seeking an education that is both academically challenging and spiritually enriching will find in Willows Academy a place where daughters thrive—not just as students, but as young women with a sense of purpose and deep roots in faith.
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