Alki elementary, Lafayette, or Schmitz Park

[jellyfish]

Hi. We are looking at a few WS public schools for our child (K student Fall 2010). Alki, Lafayette, and Schmitz Park all look like good places. Does anyone have input into Alki Elementary in particular, or any of the three?

Questions:

1) Is your child happy there?

2) Like the teachers & principal?

3) Strong PTA?

4) Problems with bullies or safety?

5) Nurturing environment?

6) Anything else to add?

Thanks!

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[hopey]

First of all, you do realize that the school district has changed the way kids are assigned to schools, right? There is very little choice in the new system unless your child has special needs. Assignment is now based on where you live. More info here: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/eso/nsap.xml

That said…

My stepson came into Lafayette as a 4th grader this past fall. He moved from the East Coast to begin living with us full-time. Everything about the Lafayette community has been amazing. It is like night and day for my stepson — he hated his old school where he was the victim of bullying. At Lafayette, there is no bullying, period. We have been amazed, and he is very happy to finally feel like an accepted peer.

The PTA is very strong and very active. There is lots of fundraising, but they use the money wisely to enhance the school’s programs in concrete ways. My stepson’s 4th grade teacher has been fantastic, very willing to work with us during this transitional year for him. The support staff has been wonderful and accommodating as well. The principal, Ms. Turner, has been very responsive. This year the school also hired a vice-principal.

One thing we like about Lafayette is the way they handle special subjects. The kids have a three week rotation: one week of gym class, one week of art class, one week of technology class (computer lab), then back to gym. My stepson is learning how to do online research and make PowerPoint presentations in technology class. He also hated gym class at his old school, but loves gym class at Lafayette with Ms. Balfour. She really tries to make it fun.

Along with other specialized support staff, Lafayette has an autism inclusion specialist. The program is set up so that kids with “normal” abilities help teach and mentor their peers who need a little more help. This may help explain at least some of the lack of bullying — kids with differences are accepted, not ridiculed.

There are a number of after-school clubs, a school choir, and an annual school play where they strive to include as many kids as possible.

I can’t compare Lafayette with any other schools, but I have to say that we are over-the-top thrilled with our experience at Lafayette.

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[jellyfish]

Thanks for the info! We’re planning to move in order to assign our child into one of the above mentioned schools.

Lafayette seems like a wonderful school. The only thing I’m worried about is Spectrum. At this point, I have no idea if my son will qualify for Spectrum. Is there a hierarchy at this school, where Spectrum students are considered to be the “smart kids” & everyone else less than smart? Or are resources disproportionately directed towards the Spectrum kids? I just don’t want my child to feel labeled at an early age. Any opinions/info appreciated.

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[maplesyrup]

My kids are/were in Spectrum at Lafayette and all of them have smart, well-adjusted friends who are/were not in the program. I suspect some parents are more hung up on the division than the kids are. (Though I admit my perspective might be skewed because we were fortunate enough to get into the program.)

If you’re really worried about Spectrum then I think Schmitz is the place for you. This is hearsay, but apparently the principal there wrote a letter to Madison speaking out against the introduction of the Spectrum program into the middle school.

Anyway, at first I thought Lafayette was a great school but over the years I’ve become somewhat disillusioned with some aspects of the administration. I won’t go into everything here though.

You won’t have problems with safety and bullying shouldn’t be an issue. IMO they go overboard in this area.

It’s still a very good school. Good academics, good test scores, *lots* of good teachers, new playground, active PTA, and an overall good experience. My kids seem pretty happy with it and given some of the things I hear about other schools, I feel lucky that we’re in an area with such a good local elementary.

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[hopey]

My stepson technically qualifies for Spectrum but as a transfer into the school, there was not room for him in the Spectrum class. His teacher works hard to keep him academically challenged, and does a good job with that.

I’m not aware of any social issues between the Spectrum/non-Spectrum kids, but at the same time my stepson doesn’t mention having met or made friends with any kids who are in the Spectrum class. Considering that he has not been at the school since Kindergarten, I’m not sure how representative that is though.

My impression is that Lafayette works hard to avoid labels of *any* kind, no matter what classroom the kids are in.

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[jellyfish]

Lafayette continues to sound impressive, and we will consider this school.

Does anyone have input about Schmitz park? It seems that they have very strong academics — Singapore & Larson math, Read Naturally, Passport Club, emphasis on science instruction in all grades, nature program, artist in residence, etc…. Some of this I’ve noticed Alki also has. But the “Challenge Program” seems to set Schmitz apart — sounds intriguing. Anyone have input about this?

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[kellym]

I have had 2 daughters go K-5 at Schmitz Park. It was not my first choice but I was totally sold before my oldest daughters first month on Kindergarten was through. 1. Happy – yes both really enjoyed every year they were there. 2. I would say there was only 1 teacher(my younger’s kindergarten) that was a total bust and she only lasted one year. The teachers are a tight knit group that work together to build on each year’s experiences for the children…I can only rave about them. They are readily accessible and comitted to each child’s sucess. My younger was at times an academic challenge which made this communication vital and their willingness to extend themselves to assist her the key. Mr. Whelan and Mr. Parsley were absolutely hands down the best. 3. The PTA is really a vibrant, active organization at the school. The level of participation and volunteerism at the school from the families is truly one of the things that make it so special. 4. We didn’t have any issues with behavioral type problems. Any issues are met swiftly and generally it’s very low key. All of the academic programs mentioned above are another area that sets the school apart and have contributed to steadily improving test scores if those are a factor in your decision. I also really liked the physical setting….great to have the park bordering the school(Yes there really are Schmitzes!) and away from busy streets is really very nice for the kids. And the final kudo to the school is both of my daughters were ‘over prepared’ to move on to the challenges and changes at middle school. Good luck!

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[jellyfish]

Thanks, Kellym and everyone else! Great info, very detailed. Much appreciated.

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[WSB]

FYI unless something has changed – did your child take the Spectrum/APP test this past fall? If not, the program wouldn’t be a factor for you next school year (someone correct me if this has changed).

When we realized our son (now an 8th grader) had to change schools toward the end of 1st grade, it was too late for him to get into Spectrum for 2nd – the results of fall testing are used for admission the following fall. He subsequently took the tests and was in Spectrum in Lafayette the next year, had an incredible time there 3rd through 5th grades. He attended Alki in 2nd grade but that was way too long ago for our experience to have any relevance now. Perhaps the biggest change in Lafayette from what we have seen/heard about in the three years since he “graduated” is that it’s now got more students since the school closures have forced more kids into less space. And if he were going into elementary Spectrum now, Arbor Heights is supposed to start this fall, so “south end” Spectrum kids, as he was, would be going there instead of Lafayette, which at the time was the only Spectrum elementary in West Seattle (there was some attempt to start a program at then-High Point elementary but it never became self-contained, which is how the elementary-level program is supposed to be).

Good luck!

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[yumpears]

I have one child at Alki and another entering Alki in the fall. My child loves the school and his parents love the school community.

1) Yes

2) Yes and Yes

3) Yes

4) No

5) Yes

6) Great community, lots of involved parents, PTA funds arts (which includes music, dance, drumming, Master Artist program and Great Composers),all grades have Spanish classes year-round, fantastic gym teacher.

If you have specific questions you could probably talk to the principal, Clover Codd. She has such a passion for kids, and learning and celebrating kids – she really has been an awesome addition to the school this year.

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[manolita]

We loooove Alki ! We have a second grader and a kindergartener there and our son will be starting kindergarten in the fall. We were happy to get him to attend Alki with his two sisters – our neighborhood school is Lafayette

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[yeah-me]

I have a 2nd grader at Schmitz Park. We originally “got in” to Lafayette and wait-listed at Schmitz (so deliberately made the choice to go to Schmitz Park over Lafayette once we got in). Why? My main reasons were 1) because we already knew families going to Schmitz Park and 2) I preferred the neighborhood location of Schmitz Park. (Please note that after going to the kindergarten tours I felt that the two schools both really seemed to offer great programs).

Now I can’t say enough wonderful things about Schmitz Park, the staff, and the PTA. My child has learned so much and continues to love going to school. I am amazed at her reading and math skills. She actually tested into the Spectrum program, but after being at Schmitz Park I decided that she was doing so well that I did not want to move her (her tests were at 96-97% and I credit Schmitz Park for that).

It may be a rumor, but I have heard that this year’s Schmitz Park fifth graders are testing as high (and higher) than the Spectrum Math kids. Go Schmitz Park Math!

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