Willows

The Willows, located in Blaine, Minnesota, is a specialized educational program operated by the Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District. It is designed to serve students with significant social, emotional, and behavioral needs who require a more structured, therapeutic environment than what is typically available in a traditional school setting. The program focuses on integrating intensive academic instruction with comprehensive mental health support, aiming to help students develop the coping skills and self-regulation necessary to succeed in a classroom environment.

The school emphasizes a collaborative approach, working closely with families, home school districts, and community partners to create individualized education programs (IEPs). By maintaining smaller class sizes and providing access to specialists—including social workers, psychologists, and behavioral experts—The Willows strives to foster a safe and supportive culture. The ultimate goal of the program is to address the specific barriers preventing a student’s success, with the intention of helping them build the emotional resilience needed to eventually transition back into their home school or move toward graduation.