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1. Alkidancer
   Member Profile

   Please share your experience with me regarding this school.
   It was our #5 pick solely because of distance from our home and it is where my will be 3rd grader was assigned.
   I read here they didn't pass the WASL 2 years in a row, not overly concerned on that one as I think the test is a heap of crap.
   What about size, teachers, safety, is there an before/after school summer program in the area ect?

   Posted 2 years ago #         

2. Oliver
   Member Profile

   I don't have a child there, but toured the school in January. The school faces some challenges because of the socio-economic background of the current student population. But I was impressed by the fact that the school is very aware of its problems and is working hard to address them. They have some really positive programs focusing on inclusion and anti-bullying, but are very dependent on grants because they do not have a PTA to raise funds. The facility is very nice and the library is wonderful. They have a spectrum program, I liked the fact that it is not self-contained but is integrated. The teachers seem to really care about their students. The school has a bad rep, but I was actually quite impressed with their efforts and honesty about their challenges. In a Title I school with so many kids who don't meet standards or have their daily needs met, I was concerned that an "average" kid (meaning middle-class with English as a first language) would be overlooked and not who the school is focused on improving. But the school really alleviated my fears on that issue. They have an on-site before and after care program run by the YMCA, which is a really nice feature for working parents. I would suggest calling the school and asking to come for a visit. They seem very open and the secretary is a very enthusiastic proponent of the school.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

3. Ken
   Member Profile

   

   re bad rep:

   The demographic of the local area changed radically in the last two years. The neighborhood just added around 1200 units of market rate housing (400k to 800k) that comes up to the school property line.

   The school was formerly Highpoint elementary and got the students from the now closed Fairmont elem.

   The name change was an attempt to escape the stigma of being associated with the former Highpoint Housing project (now a multi million dollar redevelopment)as well as the crumbling Fairmont school.

   The concept of allowing parents to shop for schools is hard for me to go along with but seems to still be a Seattle norm. I have to haul a third grader from here in Highpoint up to Lafayette everyday. His mom went there too.

   If WSE was a neighborhood school with an assigned region, the PTA would not only exist, they would be well funded too.

   Given some of the dumb assed crap and insane communications being used system wide for third graders, I suspect the school, whether chosen or assigned, will make little difference in the education process. I have to teach him to learn while they concentrate on teaching him to pass a standardized test.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

4. add
   Member Profile

   It seems that an assignment plan that will indeed assign kids to their "neighborhood" school is imminent. If not for the 2010 school year, then surely the year after. Will be interesting to see how that all shakes out...

   Posted 2 years ago #         

5. alki_2008
   Member Profile

   

   The shopping for schools thing struck me as very odd as well. When I went to school - from kindergarten through high school...kids could only attend a public school that was in their 'area' (based on their home address).

   If you didn't like the school that you would have to go to, then your only other option was paying for private school or falsifying your address (using the addresses of friends or family).

   Posted 2 years ago #         

6. beachdrivegirl
   Member Profile

   

   alki_2008. i know i was shocked when talking to my boss about the process he went through with his wife b/c their daughter is starting kindergarten this year. Defin. wierd process!

   Posted 2 years ago #         

7. steve
   Member Profile

   I would love to revisit this topic. Alkidancer, is your child going to West Seattle Elementary? What are your thoughts on it? Good? Bad? Potential?
   It is our reference school which is expected and is within walking distance which I like. I have just never heard much about this school other than the no PTA etc... Does anyone have children that currently attend WS Elem. and have information for families that now have it for a reference school?
   I plan on touring it this year.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

8. DBurns
   Member Profile

   

   Schools change for many reasons; administration changes, as do neighborhoods. Both have an effect on a school. Especially with the new assignment plan, we will likely see many of the schools change over the next few years. Remember Sealth and Denny a few years ago? Look at them now!! The other thing is that your kids will change too. We have two kids in middle and high school now. We have done both public and private over the years and the choice always comes down to the best match for the child at that time. WS Elementary Staff has a great reputation for being friendly, caring and attentive. A good library also goes a long way for me. Walking your kids to school also is a bonus. Maybe people could spend the time they would driving across town volunteering and visiting with other parents in their school to build a great community and eventually even a PTSA!!

   Posted 2 years ago #         

9. celeste17
   Member Profile

   

   I have a friend that I believe her son goes here. I will send her an email and ask her to post her thoughts.

   Posted 2 years ago #         

10. Alkidancer
    Member Profile

    Yes, my child is at WS Elem even though it was our number 5 pick based soley on how far it is from our home. I wanted my child at the closest school to home because I wanted him to be able to get to know friends in the area being we moved here recently.
    So far my son seems fairly happy over all. He can be an overly emotional child and he is not coming home in tears. He has social problems.
    Things I like: they have organized games at recess almost like a PE teacher out there and the games change every day. This helps my child a lot because it is guiding his social free time in a positive way. The have free breakfast. My son eats at home and then again at school, he is a growing boy and skinny so I'm happy to get the extra calories in him.
    Things I don't like. NO music program at all. They have a large lovely art rooom but no music.
    Disorganized. A week before school started I still hadnt heard anything at all from the school so I went there. They did not have a supply list ready. Gave me a vague idea of what to purchase which ended up not being on the list they did produce 3 days into the school year. Its the 6th week of school now and they still havnt gotten my sons speach therapy going and now there is a paperwork hang up which shouldnt be possible as I provided the district w his IEP.
    Transportation has been spotty. We have had the bus just not show up in the morning 3 times. I actually emailed a "strongly worded" letter this morning on that issue. Not showed up late, just did not show up at all. Each time I've spent 30-40 min on hold to be told ooops driver forgot, turned down a road to soon ect and the next bus cant be there till 40 min after school starts so I have driven my son and been late to work.
    Open house is tomorrow I hope to be more encourage after it.

    Posted 2 years ago #         

11. steve
    Member Profile

    Thanks for the information Alkidancer. It's good to hear from someone that has first hand experience with the school. I'm sorry some things have been a bit bumpy for you and your son so far this year-hopefully things will improve and I'm disappointed to hear there is no music program as well. My kids currently go elsewhere due to daycare and jobs but we often talk about bringing them to a closer school so they can have neighborhood friends and we can participate more. I guess we'll just wait and see at this point. Also, our school supply lists were extremely late as well which really annoyed me as I had to run around to 3 different stores at the last minute. Good luck at open house and I would very much like to hear about it if you have the time.

    Posted 2 years ago #         

12. swimcat
    Member Profile

    I'd be interested in hearing other's opinions on WS Elementary as well. It is our reference school, but my daughter won't be old enough for elementary school for a few more years still. It's sad there isn't a PTA- maybe that will change soon though as it sounds like there are some parent's of students that have enough interest in their child's education.

    Posted 2 years ago #         

13. celeste17
    Member Profile

    

    My friends son goes to Westside School not West Seattle Elementary. So I am no help.

    Posted 2 years ago #         

14. steve
    Member Profile

    Right now, it's definitely seen as a less desirable school compared to the other schools in W Seattle. As I said, I like the idea of neighborhood schools, but it doesn't seem fair to force the neighborhood school plan when not all neighborhood schools are equal. Why would I want to send my kids there? I still wish I could get more input from other parents about this school but apparently no one has children there other than Alkidancer!

    Posted 2 years ago #         

15. luckymom30
    Member Profile

    Maybe attending a PTA meeting at West Seattle Elem. would help, a great opportunity to meet other parents and speak with the principal and teachers.

    Posted 2 years ago #         

16. Alkidancer
    Member Profile

    Here is my experience so far.
    They have no PTA and NO music program at all. They do have a very large nice art room and program. But NO music I was shocked.
    Because the student population falls below the poverity line there is free breakfast my son likes this he eats and home and there.
    My sons speach therapy has not started although I have signed all the papers and was proactive to have his records hand delivered by myself at the start of the year. Guess I need my lawyer to call. Can't say this is unique I couldn't get his speech rolling till Dec. of last year in our old district.
    I do like his teacher and he seems happy there. This is a big deal for my kid as socially he has really had a struggle, being a little guy with bad lungs and a bad speech problem doesn't make you first up in the friends arena. But the staff there seem to handle him well and he does have one little buddy.
    His class seems well run, not much homework which I was thinking would pick up a bit this year. Office staff seems friendly but a bit unable to help with things.
    We had a major transportation issue, the bus just stopped coming to pick him up despite me calling the transport office 3 mornings in a row. Office at the school was no help. Finally emailed district strongly worded letter and so far we have not had another problem.
    They also did not have a school supply list put together one week before school started which I thought wasn't very parent friendly.
    The school itself really needs to be painted on the inside it just looks dirty. All those little grubby hands on the walls all the time are showing their wear and tear.

    Posted 2 years ago #         

17. Bonnie
    Member Profile

    AlkiDancer, next year when they go to neighborhood schools will you switch him to Alki? Or is he in a certain program that they only have at West Seattle?

    Posted 2 years ago #         

18. TonyaHennen
    Member Profile

    Hello! We draw to West Seattle Elem too and have a kindergartner starting this fall; just looking to see if there are any other parents who might offer up their experience with the school. We live just south of the school but haven't met folks in our immediate neighborhood with kids there. Thanks--I'm at tonya@cohorealty.com if you want to reach me individually.

    Posted 2 years ago #         

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