Hundreds of young West Seattleites attend cooperative preschools – and now, a new program is launching to take the co-op concept past that early age. Here’s the announcement for West Seattle Cooperative School, with an open house coming up Thursday night:

West Seattle Cooperative School will be admitting students, K-2nd grade, in the Fall of 2013.

Open House: May 9th, 7-9 pm at South Seattle Community College, RAH 201.

We will open up admissions at this time and will have application forms available. Please come to learn more about our school, meet Teacher Wendy, and hear about the admissions process.

Our vision includes:

A cooperative school model where students, parents and teachers learn, play, work and grow together
A parent-supported community committed to nurturing and stimulating the emotional, social, and intellectual growth of our children
Collaboration with an inspired teacher with knowledge and enthusiasm for working with an innovative and alternative coop approach
Focus on the whole child extending the emotion coaching started during the preschool years
An intense respect for the individual learning style of students, teachers, and parents
A stimulating environment that embraces critical thinkers and innovative thinking and grows lifelong learners.
Monday through Thursday program with a 2 or 4 day option
Program meets 4 hours a day
One committed day a week of outdoor education, allowing students to foster a deep understanding and relationship with the natural world and learn to slow down and rely on sensory experience. Class will be held outdoors, rain or shine.
Spacious and inspiring classrooms housed at South Seattle Community College.
K-2 multi-age classroom in Phase 1
Depending on interest, additional grade classes may be added with matriculation.
Class size no more than 18 students. 18:1 student and teacher ratio with at least 3 parents in the classroom.

Our philosophy and curriculum includes:

Project based learning – student led, teacher supported, thematic structure
Learning that is emergent and experiential. Students learn to ask questions and find answers by creating and working on projects.
Integration of art, music, languages arts, science, math, social studies through applied learning
Individual and group learning with an emphasis on community building, cooperation, mutual respect, problem solving, conflict resolution
Promoting the value of play and learning for children in K-2
Creating a place where we work together to raise happy, secure, confident, creative, inquisitive and smart kids who care about themselves, their community and the world they live in.

Our Teacher:
Wendy Eckert is an experienced, enthusiastic teacher who is thrilled to teach students in an elementary co-op environment. Wendy has taught toddler classes through the SSCC co-op for the past seven years and is a former cooperative preschool parent. She truly enjoys working with both students and their families and is excited about shaping our new program in West Seattle.

Wendy taught kindergarten and first grade (both as multi-age and separate classes) for eight years. Her strengths include developing and implementing an emergent, experiential curriculum where the majority of learning happens through hands-on activities related to concepts or skills. Wendy believes that all children can and will learn in a fun classroom where the teacher strives to meet individual needs and differences. She creates a classroom rich with a variety of activities to meet and expand the needs of learners at all levels.

Wendy earned her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Puget Sound in 1989 and her Masters of Arts in Education (literacy emphasis) in 1996. Since then, she has continued her education to stay current and believes that teachers are always learning, too. Wendy relishes the opportunity to work, learn and grow together with students and families.

Vashon Wilderness Program Partnership:
Our school is proud to announce our partnership with Vashon Wilderness Program. Through the use of local parks, Vashon Wilderness Program will be providing experienced mentors/teachers to help our students connect and explore the natural world. This program will be part of our school’s weekly schedule and its costs will be included in tuition. We are very excited about this partnership – this is a unique program that is not offered at other Seattle area schools!

The Vashon Wilderness Program is one of only 50 programs in the world to offer a unique approach to nature connection called Coyote Mentoring. Their quality immersion programs help youth to know themselves deeply, and from that place, to connect with their community and the natural world. Through asking questions, telling stories, singing, and taking the time to really get to know each student’s passions, Vashon Wilderness Program creates a safe place for students to explore nature, adventure and learn. If you would like to learn more, you can visit their website: http://www.vashonwildernessprogram.org/

Tuition: To be determined

South Seattle Community College Partnership: School Location

Our school will be housed on the SSCC campus offering us a partnership with an existing vibrant learning community.
Our classroom has its own bathroom, kitchen and enclosed outdoor play area.
SSCC is an 87-acre campus with an arboretum, horticulture, automotive, aviation, culinary and nursing departments on site. The Seattle Chinese Garden and West Duawamish Greenbelt border the campus.
We plan to engage with various departments to build practical, real-world learning and experiences.

Please e-mail inquiries and comments to the Coop School planning committee, westseattlecoop@gmail.com. If are interested in an application for your child for the 2013-2014 school year but cannot make the open house, please let us know and we can e-mail you an application form after the Open House.