Desert Willow Family Magnet K-8 School

Desert Willow Family School (DWFS) is an alternative K-8 program offered by the Albuquerque Public Schools (APS).  Students attend a public school program that combines a half-day or 80% of classroom instruction with a half-day or 20% of home-based instruction.  This unique arrangement enables parents to take an active role in the education of their children.  Students develop their own knowledge by actively engaging in problem-solving lessons and community activities.

DWFS’s multi-age, open-ended curriculum is designed to help students take responsibility for their learning process. 

The program’s use of both the classroom and home environment encourages students to grow into self-initiating, life-long learners.  The student curriculum is a rigorous, hands-on, integrated, self-directed approach to cooperative learning.  Parents attend monthly classes designed to effectively share responsibility for assessing and educating their student(s).