West Seattle schools: Tours/open houses for middle schools

Earlier this week, we listed scheduled open houses/tours at local high schools. Now, here’s the info we have about what’s planned at local middle schools (6th-8th grades unless otherwise described):

DENNY INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Evening Open House for Prospective New Families: February 9, 6:30 p.m. F
Daytime Tours: January 31, February 8, and March 1 from 8:00 to 9:10 a.m. All are welcome – no appointment needed.

EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL (WSB sponsor)
Update from EWMS: “Although the 2012-13 Admissions season has concluded, ongoing admissions applications will be accepted and reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For more information about the Admissions Process, please visit: www.explorer-west.org or call 206-935-0495.”

HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Open house: January 29; 10 am-1 pm

HOPE LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Open house: January 31, 7-8:30 pm (flyer here)

MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL
Tours: 6-8:30 pm February 2nd, 8:30-10:30 am February 9th and 16th

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Open house: 9 am-1 pm January 29th

PATHFINDER K-8
Middle-school open house: 6-7:30 pm February 7
Middle-school tours: 8:30-9:45 am February 8, February 13, February 16

WEST SEATTLE MONTESSORI/WEST SEATTLE ACADEMY (WSB sponsor)
Open houses: 1-3 pm January 21, 6:30-8 pm February 2.

WESTSIDE SCHOOL (grades 5, 6, 7; WSB sponsor)
Drop-in tours on Wednesdays; more info on this page

If you’re affiliated with a local school and see something missing/incorrect, please let us know so we can add/fix it – for schools that hadn’t sent us announcements of their plans, the above info is gleaned from their websites.

GreatSoFar January 11, 2012 (11:07 pm)

Hi there,

As the parent of a sixth-grader, I just want to say that our experience so far this year at Madison has been excellent (and as a critical person, that’s saying alot).

I’ll confess. I had more anxiety that my Lafayette 5th grade riser did. (OMG, am I a helicopter parent!?) Which says alot since she still has residual issues with social skills and anxiety. I am extremely happy with the support providing by Madison’s teachers and admin.

The afterschool activities make staying in (and after) school fun. Her teachers have impressed me with their professionalism, and preparation.

In hindsight, I would have had no problem last year with my fifth-grader attending Madison. Of course hindsight is 20-20 BUT I would not say that without gauging her progress, talking to her teachers, and seeing the results. North West Seattle is fortunate to have this alternative.

Lisa Y. January 12, 2012 (8:16 am)

As a parent of a 6th grader at Denny I am pleased to say we are glad we made the decision to stick with our assigned middle school choice. I had heard many negative remarks about Denny over the years and our family felt great anxiety sending our child to Denny, even afew elementary teachers had warned us not to send our child to Denny. But so far it has been a very positive experience.

Denny 6th grade teachers are engaging, make the subject interesting to learn. The school has duel language learning opportunities, a supportive staff and principal and a very safe learning environment. Our child has made many new friendships.

Denny offers many after school activities too.

I would highly recommend attending the open house and all school as well as the orientation before the start of school.

GreatSoFar January 12, 2012 (4:07 pm)

Lisa Y.,

Which goes to show that we are fortunate in WS to have TWO excellent middle schools.

Bonnie January 12, 2012 (5:08 pm)

I’ll be making the tours this year and I will be looking at special ed at the two schools. Does anybody have any input on the special ed depts? We are in the Denny service area and that is where I’d love to send my kids but I have heard that there is a good special ed dept. at Madison. My son is in an autism inclusion program.

Lisa Y January 12, 2012 (5:43 pm)

Yes, Madison and Denny are both great. We know several of the teachers and students at Madison and Denny and both schools have alot to offer the West Seattle community.

Sorry, comment time is over.