Willa Cather Elementary School

Cather Core Academy curriculum is wonderful. My child is not only learning but is retaining the information taught. The children are exposed to different artists and composers as well as geography and social studies. I would like to see more computer skills and foreign language taught at Cather for all the students. The Core teachers are great and communicate with us on a regular basis.
--Submitted by a parent

Cather Core Academy is the best kept secret in the Millard School District (well, it was until now!). This program offers very structured learning. All students are expected to sit at a desk for their learning (as opposed to moving from one station to the next for learning). The phonogram program is simply amazing and it helped my kindergartner to start reading this month. Even if he doesn t know a particular word, he can use the phonograms and sound it out. The kindergarten program also includes spelling tests on 15 new words each week. The program even has the kindergartners starting to do basic diagramming of sentences. You can expect homework 3 nights a week, even in kindergarten. In addition to the basic Core areas, my kindergartner has also had special units on Strategies, Music, PE, Art, and Technology. The Core program does require/expect great amounts parental involvement. It s awesome!
--Submitted by Rachel, a parent

The Core Academy at Willa Cather provides children with a strong foundation of the basics in which children have mastery of the material rather than just being introduced to the material. The Core Units studies in Social Studies and Science are phenominal. The learning environment is outstanding. I encourage every parent to go in and observe the teaching in action. The best part is my children come home excited and telling me the things they learned. Expectations are set high and children meet them - it is so awesome!
--Submitted by Rhonda Couch, a parent

Cather is the home of the Core Academy program which uses the Spaulding Method and the Hirsch Foundation curriculum. We highly recommend this teacher directed program.
--Submitted by a parent

We believe the Core Program at Willa Cather is a fantastic foundation for elementary age children! It is like sending your child to private school! We can't say enough good things about the principal, or our child's kindergarten teacher. If you have the opportunity to send your child here, check it out! The Core parents are involved. The staff makes you feel very appreciated and welcome.
--Submitted by Jody Wikoff, a parent