Home › Forums › West Seattle Schools › Private School Kindergarten Options in West Seattle?
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March 18, 2011 at 8:08 pm #598345
defenestratorMemberWe need to find a kindergarten for our daughter this fall. We’re looking for private school options in WS, can folks list some schools? The only one we’re currently aware of is Westside, but we’d like other possibilities as well.
We’re not looking for schools with a religious emphasis, but feel free to list those anyway, to make this thread as comprehensive as possible.
Thank you!
March 18, 2011 at 8:22 pm #720650
defenestratorMemberJust found this list of schools here on the blog:
https://westseattleblog.com/schools
But please post any reviews or feedback about individual schools.
March 18, 2011 at 8:26 pm #720651
ghar72ParticipantCommunity School of WS has a preschool and K-2 program.
http://www.communityschoolwestseattle.org/index.html
Don’t know anything about the K-2 program but their preschool is amazing. They just had an open house and today is the deadline for apps. Not sure if this is for the K-2 program as well? Doesn’t hurt to call and see what the situation is. Seems like they’re pretty easy-going and not hard and fast with the deadlines, especially if there’s an opening.
March 18, 2011 at 8:43 pm #720652
defenestratorMemberThank you, ghar, that looks like an excellent possibility, we’ll check them out further.
March 18, 2011 at 8:46 pm #720653
clark5080ParticipantHope Lutheran also has a good program
March 18, 2011 at 9:30 pm #720654
BonnieParticipantIf you’re looking for non religious I can think of Community School of West Seattle, Westside, Tilden and West Seattle Montessori. There may be more but I can’t think of them right now.
March 18, 2011 at 10:54 pm #720655
ClawGirlMemberI HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend Tilden School! Our kids are both there, including one in Kindergarten. The student/teacher ratio averages 8:1, and the curriculum and teachers are outstanding! Unlike Westside, there is no fundraising; you are expected to pay only tuition…Which is fairly reasonable as far as private schools go. Nor do they require volunteering, though there is a lot of parent involvement and many parents choose to volunteer . Our older child was in the public schools for 2 years (Lafayette), and we are so thankful and fortunate that we were able to get both our kids into Tilden. If you’re applying for K for the fall, you may be too late, but you can at least get on a wait list. Here’s Tilden’s website: http://tildenschool.com/
March 18, 2011 at 11:08 pm #720656
WSBKeymasterJust a note that the schools page is out of date to some degree, which is why it’s not linked from the home page. I didn’t think it was accessible but since it still is, maybe I should just find a few hours and update it :)
March 18, 2011 at 11:27 pm #720657
schoolmamaMemberClawgirl, as a parent at Westside, I wanted to clarify that there is no fundraising at Westside either. We have the option to attend an auction (like many schools) but it is optional. We have never had to sell anything to raise money. Everything is included in the tuition (school supplies, field trips etc). We are very happy there!
March 19, 2011 at 2:22 am #720658
wsmama3ParticipantLong waiting lists at all the private schools listed BTW.
March 19, 2011 at 4:55 am #720659
BonnieParticipantA friend of mine applied to Tilden and they did not get in. They are full already.
March 19, 2011 at 7:32 pm #720660
JulieMemberJust a note about wait lists: I would encourage people who find a school that seems to be a good fit for their family to be sure to get on the wait list. It might seem to be not worth it–and if you’re far down the list for this fall, your chances aren’t great–but be aware that the lists can and do move, and as the start of school approaches, people ahead of you on the list are more likely to have committed to a different choice.
If you are willing to take advantage of an unexpected opening close to the start of school or after school starts, or the following year, you may find that people still ahead of you on the list don’t take the seat.
March 19, 2011 at 8:57 pm #720661
JasperbluParticipantAll the private schools have already had their application and enrollment observations for the 2011/12 school year. I know, because we started jumping through all those hoops back in November of 2010. Most had application deadlines in January. Almost all sent out their letters of acceptance on March 17th.
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There MAY be some schools you can still apply to, and even get wait-listed for. But Westside won’t be one of them. They had 40 spots for 2 Kindergarten classes. And over 50 applications. All but ten of those 40 spots were filled up by younger siblings of current students, and by kids that were in their Pre-K program.
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Other than The Westside School, there is Tilden, Hope Lutheran, Lady of Guadalupe, The Community School and Holy Rosary.
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Wishing you the best of luck! We’re in a mad scramble now to find a backup plan for our soon to be Kindergartner. She was wait-listed for Westside, which gives me SOME hope. But not much. All I know is, I don’t want her going to a Seattle Public School, not if I can help it. May even skip Kindergarten altogether b/c of this school fiasco. So disheartened.
March 19, 2011 at 9:14 pm #720662
SpeakLoudMemberI agree with Julie and you should also know that several families wait to hear if they get their public school of choice and even if they have paid a deposit they are willing to give it up if they get into the free school they wanted. Get on the list now and then check back in May/June as public schools will not send out letters for school choice assignments until the end of May.
March 19, 2011 at 10:40 pm #720663
angelescrestParticipantQuestion for Jasperblu:
What is the school “fiasco”? And, I ask this with no preconceived answer…(and, we’re a mixed-bag family…I teach for Seattle Public schools, I have one child at one of the privates above and another at Vashon). But, I have heard of such happinesses from friends and neighbors who have their kids in SPS. Has the district not made it easier to attend your neighborhood school? It seemed to me local SPS elementaries were looking inviting, including the middle schools.
EDIT: I think I’m looking for perceptions. I know when we moved here in 2006, a pre-school director gave me her perceptions of which were happening, healthy schools in West Sea, both private and public.
March 19, 2011 at 10:53 pm #720664
WesSeaKRMemberWe are also on the waitlist for Westside (kindergarten). I am frustrated by the lack of non-religious, private school options in West Seattle.
We are in the Lafayette public school district and have heard good things from our neighbors w/children at Lafayette. We will likely try this school for Kindergarten and either hope we get the call from Westside or, gasp, move to Bellevue or Mercer Island for the schools.
March 20, 2011 at 7:30 am #720665
SpeakLoudMemberJust curious- what would you want to see from private school options in West Seattle that you are not already seeing?
March 21, 2011 at 2:19 am #720666
defenestratorMemberThanks for all the replies — we’re now considering Pathfinder as a public school option. A friend sends his son there and likes it. We’re also on the waitlist at Tilden and are still thinking of checking out the Community School. We already tried Westside but their waiting list is too long.
March 21, 2011 at 8:41 pm #720667
JasperbluParticipant@angelescrest I meant the current fiasco at SPS w/ regard to the $1.8 in misappropriated funds. But also, I have no interest in my daughter getting “lost” in a classroom w/ 30+ kids, one teacher, NO money for books, up to date computers, art supplies, music, language, field trips, science, etc. Not to mention the deplorable text books and curriculum that is being used, in particular mathematics. That was NOT my experience growing up in CA public schools in the 70’s and 80’s, and while I know things are tight now w/ ALL public schools, it doesn’t mean I want that for my kid. Also, the idea that kids should be tested for state competencies in Kindergarten (or at all for that matter) is just horrifying to me. Test scores don’t mean crap. Excuse my French. Our kids are learning how to pass tests, but are more stressed and less educated than ever. Worse, they are coming out of our public schools completely UN-prepared for college or other types of higher education.
So for me, SPS isn’t really an option. At least not for K-5. I’d hoped for a private NON-RELIGIOUS school in West Seattle (at best), or Seattle (in general). The choices are few and far between, highly competitive, and/or obscenely expensive. So what is a working single parent to do? I’d homeschool her if it was an option, that’s how discouraged I am.
Btw, I really LOVE the idea of sending my daughter to Vashon for high school. Maybe we’ll even move there some day. That would be a dream! ‘Course, she’s only a soon-to-be Kindergartener now. I’ve got some time yet.
To @defenestrator Most of our neighbors kids go to Holy Rosary or Pathfinder. I know a few moms at Lafayette, Explorer West, Hope Lutheran and at Tilden as well, and of course we also have many friends at Westside (hence the reason why it was OUR first choice). 3 other close friends have their kids at the Community School, and they love love love it. I think you just have to tour ALL the schools, and see which one feels best for you, your budget and your kid. You’ll find the right fit, we all will. Hopefully, I say with crossed fingers and toes. ;-)
March 21, 2011 at 8:43 pm #720668
JasperbluParticipant@angelescrest Sorry, I meant that to read $1.8 MILLION. (Fred Stephens and Silas Potter fiasco)
March 23, 2011 at 6:58 pm #720669
magnoliamomMemberI am also looking for information, feedback, reviews on Westside. I agree w/ jasperblu and public schools. We gave it a try and now after a few years, we are going private. We have received invitation from Westside, and we are doing some final due diligence on the school. We didn’t get the open houses early in the year and so didn’t get to meet any parents, so I really want to hear the good, bad, or ugly if there is anything. So far, looking for reviews online, I’ve not heard anything bad about the school or anyone not satisfied. Is this true? We hope so, but it’s a huge commitment so we want to sort it all out now. BTW, we have 2 kids going into upper grades (not kindergarten). I would also add that we will be commuting there from Magnolia — again emphasizing the big commitment we would be making to Westside. Only a few other schools in Seattle met our criteria, but extremely expensive ( probably beyond our means) and unbelievably they seem to have little if any room.
March 28, 2011 at 4:22 am #720670
wimsiklParticipantWe have two children at West Seattle Montessori and are very happy. It is a great size; with 100 preprimary kids in 5 classrooms, nice facility, private playground, and warm friendly community feel. There are 20 student per class with two teachers, plus numerous specialists like drama, music, sign language, spanish, art, etc… so the ratio is probably more like 1:8. I feel it is reasonably priced at around $8000 a year. I really enjoy the other families; it is unpretentious and diverse. A new prinicpal took over two years ago and her vigor has made some really positive progress. And since it goes all the way from preschool through 8th grade, the opportunity for continuity is there. Of course the location is awful, but once you get over that, it is all positives. I believe it is full, with a waiting list, but with since it has so many classes, the list moves quicker than most. I am very picky, and I am definitely pleased and continuing on there.
March 28, 2011 at 5:10 pm #720671
Foiblies11MemberMost of the better schools have wait lists. Make sure when you look at schools you look beyond Kindergarten. Find a school that has a solid program with and offers music, art, and other special classes for the kids. Schools like Hope Lutheran, West Seattle Montessori, and Westside School all offer K-8.
March 30, 2011 at 7:42 pm #720672
arborhavenParticipant@wimsikl – Do you know if it is better to make sure your child is in the pre-school program at WSM so that they’re eligible for Kindergarten? My plan is Community School for 2 years in the Pre-K program there, and then for Kindergarten through 3rd, aiming for WSM… But if it is better to start with preschool at WSM to help Kindergarten enrollment – I would consider that…
March 30, 2011 at 8:03 pm #720673
wimsiklParticipantthat’s a good question arborhaven… I do know that once your child is in they are guaranteed a spot for consecutive years. But when I look back on what I did (had their first year at another preschool, then switched to West Seattle Montessori) I wish I would have just started at one and stayed there. One of my kids is really outgoing and makes friends easily but the other is more shy, and believe it or not, they really do make important friendships that young. At age four, there were already established friendships when my kids entered. So if you know you want a school for later years, I would seriously consider starting them at that school and staying put. In addition, I personally invest in my kids school… building relationships with fellow moms, participating on committees, etc… It’s kind of a waste to start all over somewhere new unless necessary. Just my humble opinion!!! And certainly not anything i even dreamed of when my kids were only 2-3. Whether its West Seattle Montessori, or Westside, (the only two prek-8, non-religious choices in West Seattle) I truly believe in community and continuity.
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