K-8 Public Charter School

Authentic Montessori for K-8

Willow Oak Montessori Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school serving students in grades K through 8. Located in Northeast Chatham County, we admit students from anywhere in North Carolina using an admissions lottery. 

Montessori teachers are trained to observe each child's individual interests and development level. The teachers prepare the classroom so that each child is free to independently choose his/her work throughout the work cycle. Based on her observations, the teacher presents "lessons" to the children from a variety of subject areas.

Children are encouraged to choose and repeat these lessons independently.  Many of the Montessori materials have a "control of error," allowing the child to independently correct his/her own mistakes.  Children can choose to work alone or with friends.

Montessori classrooms also grant children the opportunity to independently care for themselves, their peers, and their environment. The mixed-age environment creates a family-like rather than competitive community.  Because each child typically stays with the same teacher for three years, an incredible bond is formed between the teacher and each member of the community.

Our Mixed-Age Communities

Children’s House - Preschool & Kindergarten
Lower Elementary - 1st-3rd Grades
Upper Elementary - 4th-6th Grades
Adolescent Community - 7th-8th Grades

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Any rising K-8 student who resides in North Carolina may apply to Willow Oak Montessori Charter school.

  • No, the Charter School is a tuition-free public school. (The Children’s House preschool is a tuition-based private preschool operated by a separate non-profit entity. By law, no preference is given to Children’s House preschool students in the Charter School lottery).

  • Charter schools are supported by federal, state, and local funds, including state and county taxes. Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools do not receive county taxes for constructing facilities. Charter schools often supplement the government funds they receive with grants and community donations. All charitable donations given to Willow Oak Montessori go through the WOM Foundation.

  • Yes! Our Diverse Learning Community team is responsible for ensuring that we meet the needs of every child in our school community. We also contract with outside providers, as necessary, for individual services as required. We will not request information about your child’s individual needs, their IEP, or their 504 Plan until after your child has been admitted to our school.

  • Yes. As public schools, charter schools must participate in the state’s annual End-of-Grade (EOG) testing beginning in the 3rd grade.

  • Montessori Schools typically do not assign daily homework. In order to ensure an appetite for work during the school day, we encourage children to spend their time after school pursuing their personal interests, interacting with their families, and relaxing. Many activities may constitute homework, including household chores. Responsibilities at home help the child develop language skills and cultural awareness. Making math a real part of the home environment and giving the child a voice in family decisions are important to every child’s growth. Reading with and to your children every day will result in quality family time and confidence building. As students reach the Upper Elementary and Adolescent grades, they will have some at-home project work.

  • At this time, our school participates with MyHotLunchbox to offer a prepared lunch for a fee one or two days a week. Families who qualify for free or reduced lunch based on the federal income scale receive a discount. We also seek to assist any family that needs additional nutrition assistance. Each year, we ask all families to self-identify if they would qualify for free or reduced price lunch and identify ways we can support these families.

  • We wish we could! We have been investigating this for years, and it is not financially possible at this time. However, we are working out how we might make this a possibility in Willow Oak's future. At the start of each school year, we will do our best to help connect Willow Oak households to one another so that you might form carpools or help with driving for students who live near you or on your way to school. Please reach out to the Main Office if you need help with transportation and we will do our best to connect you with a family that can help!

  • Drop off for all Charter School students is 8:10am - 8:30am. Dismissal is 3:20-3:40pm. Before- and after-school care is available for a fee.

    Starting in the 2026-27 school year, drop off will move to 8:05-8:20am. Dismissal will be 3:25-3:45pm on Mondays through Thursdays. Every Friday will be an early dismissal day at 1:00pm for Charter School students. Student can be picked up 1:00 - 1:20pm on Fridays. Aftercare will be available most days.

  • Yes! Families can add on before- and/or after-school care for an additional fee. Camp AMP operates our before-school care and our aftercare for grades 1-8. We have an in-house afterschool program for preschoolers & kindergarteners. Care is available starting at 7:30am and until 6:00pm. More details can be found here.

  • Yes! In recent years, we have offered both a Cross Country and an Ultimate team for our middle schoolers. Other clubs offered have included Mandarin, drama, yoga, Zumba, art, running, book club, creative writing, soccer, chess, music exploration, and drumming. We are always looking for new club ideas from our staff, students, and families!

  • The Charter School opened in 2013. Read our Charter application here!