Willow Named Best Charter School in Lafayette

Willow Charter Academy works hard to partner with their parents, and the community has taken notice.

The school was honored as the best charter school in Lafayette for 2026, according to BusinessRate, and earned this accolade thanks to positive Google reviews. It’s the latest honor for Willow, which has been setting the example of success for schools across Louisiana.

Principal Andrea Robert said she was grateful to receive the award and is extremely proud of her school.

“This recognition means a lot because it reflects the experiences and voices of our families,” Robert said. “I immediately thought about our staff and the work they put in every day to make Willow a place where scholars and families feel welcomed, supported, and valued. This recognition belongs to our entire Willow team.”

Willow has been intentional about engaging parents and building positive relationships, so students are supported whether at school or at home. Robert said the school has created more opportunities for parents to engage through parent learning events and family nights.

She also mentioned a focus on consistent communication with families. She said parents have more opportunities to share feedback, and the school uses what they hear to improve.

“We want parents to know that their voices matter and that they are an important part of our school community,” Robert said. “When families trust us enough to share positive experiences, and also provide feedback about areas where we can grow, it helps us become a stronger school.”

This collaboration has drawn attention across the state. School leaders welcomed Louisiana Department of Education representatives, who wanted to learn more about Willow’s strategies and share them as examples of success for schools across Louisiana.

This year, the school is focused on continuing their improvement with the theme “Level Up: Success Unlocked.” Robert said some of the school’s biggest priorities are strengthening instruction, using data intentionally to drive student growth, providing meaningful feedback and coaching to teachers, increasing family engagement, maintaining a safe learning environment, and celebrating the growth of both students and staff.

With this long list of priorities, Willow is on the path to another successful school year. But through it all, Robert and her team never lose sight of who they’re there for: students and their families.

“We want families to feel that Willow is their school too,” Robert said.

Congrats, Principal Robert and all of Willow! Keep up the great work!