Learning 2018

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Every Child Resource Fair Oct. 17 SEE PAGE 26

learning

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2018

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Tutoring Tips 11

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ParentMap Learning 2018 • 3

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contents

learning

27

11

15

7 DEAR READER

What Learning Has to Do With My High School Reunion

11 NAVIGATING THE ACADEMIC MAZE How to choose the best school, extracurricular pursuits and tutors

15 5 THINGS TO DO BEFORE STARTING THE COLLEGE SEARCH College admissions pros offer their advice on what it takes

ParentMap LEARNING 2018 PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Alayne Sulkin EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Kramer

19 E XPLORING CHOICES FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL Here’s how to help your kid figure out what’s next

23 4 MYTHS ABOUT TWICE EXCEPTIONAL

KIDS Plus, resources to help your children thrive

27 PRIVATE SCHOOL OR PUBLIC SCHOOL? How three local families made the choice

33 LEARNING RESOURCES

DIGITAL MARKETING

MARKETING/EVENTS

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Lindsey Carter

EVENT OPERATIONS Brenna McCown

SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIST Diana Cherry

EVENT + MARKETING COORDINATOR

ADVERTISING SALES + PARTNERSHIPS SENIOR MANAGER ADVERTISING SALES AND PARTNERSHIPS

OUT + ABOUT EDITOR Nancy Chaney

Ida Wicklund

DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Vicky McDonald

MANAGER ADVERTISING SALES AND PARTNERSHIPS

PUBLISHING ASSISTANT Nicole Persun

Ben Demar

CALENDAR ASSISTANT Dora Heideman

AD OPERATIONS MANAGER Elisa Taylor

COPY EDITOR Sunny Parsons

ADVERTISING CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER

CONTRIBUTORS

Nancy Schatz Alton, Maegen Blue, Malia Jacobson, Jenna Vandenberg

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ADVERTISING SECTIONS 9–18 NWAIS Schools 22–26 Arts + Activities 29–39 S chools + Preschools

Jessica Collet

ADVERTISING CLIENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

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ART + PRODUCTION

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GUIDE TO PARTICIPATING NWAIS SCHOOLS

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Learning is published annually ParentMap is published monthly

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All rights reserved; reproduction of this publication in whole or part without permission prohibited ©ParentMap 2018 Printed in Oregon

ParentMap Learning 2018 • 5

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dear reader

What Learning Has to Do With My High School Reunion

Challenging K-12 students in an intellectual community through early entrance, and outreach learning programs.

We offer on the University of Washington Seattle campus: • Transition School • UW Academy • Saturday Enrichment • Summer Programs • Professional Development

I

WILL AUSTIN

n July, I went to my high school reunion. It had the For more information, expected yearbooks, drink visit our website: www.RobinsonCenter.uw.edu tickets and sheet cake. Not Phone: 206-543-4160 Email: rcys@uw.edu expected: The photo booth.

The glow sticks. And the fact that I had fun.

I did not anticipate enjoying myself. Indeed, I was actively dreading the evening.

But as soon as I plastered on my name tag and cashed in a drink ticket, I remembered just how much fun nostalgia can be.

Over there was that kid I’d sat next to in AP Lang. And there, by the bar, that one guy I had a crush on but oh baby, am I glad that didn’t go anywhere. And could that really be…? No way! She looks so different!

I remembered these kids — now adults, many with kids of their own — better than I remembered any set of coworkers I’d had in the years since I’d graduated. Why was that? I wondered. What about school makes us remember so hard?

It’s probably the learning, right? The And could that fact that you’re stuck in a classroom with these suckers for eight hours a really be...? day, five days a week, for at least four No way! She looks years and often much longer (I’d known many of these people since so different! elementary school).

Years had passed and still, I could tell you just what so-and-so was like in high school or what sport they played or who they took to homecoming. I knew how many siblings they had and what classes they were good at and which teachers liked them best. We had so much shared history.

Which is what this issue attempts to capture. Every year, we take the very broad topic of education and distill it down into the handful of stories we feel are most topical, right now, for your student. It’s a daunting task but, if my high school reunion proves anything, it’s an important one. School’s where we start and learning makes memories that last.

At least until you use up all your drink tickets.

— Elisabeth Kramer Managing Editor

“

”

parentmap.com/learning

We offer on the UniversityCh in • Transition School • UW A th • Summer Programs •ou

We offer on the University of Washington Seattle c

• Transition School • UW Academy • Saturday Enri We offer on the University of Washington Seattle campus:

• Summer Programs • Professional Developme

Transition School • UW Academy • Saturday Enrichment For more

Summer Programs • Professional Development • RC Online visit o For more information, visit our website:

www.Robin www.RobinsonCenter.uw.edu Challenging K-12 students in an intellectualPhone: community 206-543-4160 Email: rcys@uw.edu Phone: through early entrance and outreach learning programs.

Email: SATURDAY ENRICHMENT Current Grades K-8 Spring Session: April 7 – June 2 (Registration is now open!)

The Saturday Enrichment classes provide intellectually ambitious students with challenge, inspiration, and fun, in a collaborative, supportive learning environment. Classes meet for one or two hours per week on Saturdays at the UW Seattle Campus to explore topics not usually covered in the K-8 curriculum.

SUMMER CHALLENGE Current Grades 5-6 July 9 – July 27 (Registration is now open!)

Summer Challenge is an academically advanced summer camp for motivated children seeking an intensive, hands-on, fun educational experience. The program runs for three weeks, five days a week from 9:00am – 2:20pm, on the UW Seattle campus. There is also an After-Class program available for an additional charge from 2:20 – 4:30pm. Classes are small, and instructors are all specialists in their field. Application criteria can be found on our website.

SUMMER STRETCH Current Grades 7-10 June 25 – July 26 (Registration is now open!)

Summer Stretch offers in-depth, intensive learning experiences as accelerated courses and enrichment courses. Summer Stretch runs 3 days a week (9:00am – 2:30pm) for five weeks beginning June 25 on the UW Seattle campus.Classes are taught by specialists in their field with a high adult:child ratio. There is a substantial homework load; courses are graded and final transcripts are provided. Application criteria can be found on our website.

RC ONLINE Current Grades 9-12 (Registration is now open!)

RC Online is a new accelerated learning opportunity, bringing advanced college-prep curriculum to an online platform for high school students.

RC Online provides an inspiring, expansive educational experience as a window into what college-level work will be like; to move students rapidly from novice to advanced writers, readers and thinkers via specific skills, practices and tools. These courses provide challenging curriculum without the logistical, economic and other barriers that come between a student and educational opportunity. Additional information can be found on our website.

www.RobinsonCenter.uw.edu Phone: 206-543-4160 Email: rcys@uw.edu ParentMap Learning 2018 • 7

ents! g A e g e Chan r youth u t s u y F a e w r i y Insp rdinar o a r t x e Explore e the world. ng can cha

CAPTURE

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MOMENT!

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Help Me Grow Washington is a collaboration among community programs, to make it easier for families to access child and parenting information, services and programs. To discover other health and early learning resources for your family, call WithinReach’s Family Health Hotline 1 (800) 322-2588 or search our resource directory at www.ParentHelp123.org

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choices

Navigating the Academic Maze How to choose the best school, extracurricular pursuits and tutors

By Malia Jacobson

A

generation ago, educational goals were pretty simple: Kids were expected to stay out of trouble, get good grades and graduate.

Most parents sent their kids off to the nearest classroom each morning with a wave and a smile, relatively unworried about whether that school offered the optimal academic environment, an ideal student-teacher ratio or a robust slate of extracurricular activities.

Today’s parents face a different path, one mired with twists, turns and a parentmap.com/learning

multitude of educational options intended to help kids succeed both inside and outside class. From picking the best school to settling on a tutor to which sports and clubs to throw into the mix, the array of available choices is as exciting as it is overwhelming.

Here’s how to sort out a few big ones: picking a school, whittling down options for after-school enrichment and determining if your child could benefit from an academic coach outside of school. >> ParentMap Learning 2018 • 11

choices Navigating the Academic Maze continued from page 11

School cool: Finding the best learning environment for your child Modern schooling can take place wherever families choose, which makes wading through available options increasingly time-consuming.

For some, heading to school each morning might mean pulling up a chair at the kitchen table: A growing number of Washington youth (between 3 and 4 percent, according to the National Center for Education Statistics) are schooled at home, many via accredited online schools, such as Columbia Virtual Academy,) Washington Virtual Academies (WAVA) and the Renton School District’s H.O.M.E. program.

Families opting for public school outside the home used to be locked into their neighborhood school. No more: A number of public school districts, including Seattle Public Schools and Tacoma Public Schools, offer school choice, which means that families are assigned to their neighborhood school but can request a transfer to any school within the district. (Transfers are approved on a spaceavailable basis.) Once parents determine that they want their child to attend a public school, they can whittle down their list of options further by looking at factors such as school size, paraeducator support, college prep guidance and other metrics.

If public schools don’t seem like a good fit, a growing list of local private schools might be worth a look; according to the Seattle School Guide (mseattleschoolguide.com), Seattle’s 116 private schools generally offer smaller class sizes and the option for religious instruction (about 44 percent of Seattle’s private schools are religious), but they are often less diverse than their public counterparts. And then there’s the private school price tag, which runs $13,000–$14,000 per year on average.

Whether parents choose public, private or an online academy, here are some questions to ask a school leader: What is your school’s ratio of teachers to students?

How many paraeducators or other support professionals are employed here? Is one

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12 • ParentMap Learning 2018

assigned to each classroom?

What percentage of your students are students of color or minorities?

What is your school’s approach to handing disruptive behavior from students?

What safety measures are used to secure the school and grounds during the school day?

For high schools, what types of college prep or scholarship help are available?

What percentage of the school’s parents volunteer? What types of parent volunteer opportunities are available?

How much homework can students expect?

How does the school communicate with parents?

Does this school offer an anti-bullying curriculum? How is bullying handled?

What types of accommodations and support are available for students with disabilities, learning differences, extreme food sensitivities or sensory processing disorders?

Outside of tuition, what fees or costs can parents expect throughout the school year?

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Making the grade: What about

tutors?

Even if you’ve found a school where your child feels challenged and supported, you may need outside academic help for a particularly difficult subject or phase.

According to math tutor Schuyler Dunphy of Seattle Tutoring Services, signs that it’s time to call in a tutor include chronic challenges with teachers or schoolwork that parents haven’t been able to resolve, repeated clashes with a parent over schoolwork and struggles in an advanced subject

that parents don’t feel qualified to address.

Ask a tutoring agency what types of references, background checks and screening questions are used in their hiring process. “If you are hiring a tutor directly, ask questions related to their areas of specialty and how they would handle specific situations that could arise during tutoring sessions,” Dunphy says.

It’s also vital that students buy in to the tutoring process, notes Dunphy, so be sure to ask kids what they’d like in a tutor and build those questions into your interview.

Do you have training or credentials related to teaching children in my child’s grade?

Do you specialize in helping students with ADHD or other learning differences?

How would you handle working with a child who resists showing their work in a subject or doesn’t want to ask questions in class?

What strategies do you use to keep the subject interesting? How do you keep students focused?

How would you handle a child who feels discouraged or defeated in a particular subject?

How do you communicate with a child’s parents regarding progress and expectations?

What are your fees?

(Expect to pay $45–85 per hour or more, depending on your tutor’s qualifications, says Dunphy.)

What is your policy regarding cancellations, rescheduling or no-shows?

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Extra credit: Balancing extracurricular activities To raise a kid who excels in school and beyond, think outside the classroom. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, extracurricular activities are linked to better grades and school attendance, and kids who participate in such activities are more likely to parentmap.com/learning

go to college than those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.

The time required for extracurricular activities can vary â&#x20AC;&#x201D; anything from an hour per week for an after-school club to 10â&#x20AC;&#x201C;12 hours per week or more for a sport â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but the payoff can be an increasingly mature, responsible child who learns to manage time wisely.

Tamara Jones, parent of a middle school student in Tacoma, says her daughter started taking more responsibility for her own health, from sleep to nutrition, after participating in two sports last year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We say a lot of growth in personal responsibility over that year,â&#x20AC;? Jones says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She realized she had to get to bed at a certain time to have enough energy to do the things she wanted to do.â&#x20AC;?

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Whether your child leans toward sport, music, art or a STEM-related extracurricular pursuit, asking the right questions of leaders or coaches can help you prepare for a smoother, less stressful experience: What credentials or background do the coaches or leaders have?

For sports, does the coach have training in concussion protocol?

What weekly time commitment can be expected?

Are there summer or off-season expectations for participants?

Are there fees or costs for equipment, uniforms or other items participants need?

How do coaches or leaders communicate with parents?

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-Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the most common complaint from participants and their parents?

-How do coaches or leaders resolve conflicts between participants? What are grounds for removal from the team or club?

How can parents connect with parents of other participants for information about carpools or other general questions?

And remember that no academic choice is ever permanent. If a chosen school, tutor or club isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a good fit, families can begin their search anew, armed with newfound knowledge about their studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs. n

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Malia Jacobson is an award-winning journalist and mom of three.

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college search

y

Things to Do Before Starting the College Search College admissions pros offer their advice on what it takes

By Jenna Vandenberg

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elping your high school student to decide where to apply for college can be more daunting than convincing them to take early-morning SAT prep classes. But narrowing down the choices from the 5,000-plus schools in the U.S. is work that you can share. Here are top tips from high school teachers, counselors and college admission professionals.

Use resources at your kid’s school u “First and foremost, students should get to know resources in their high school,” says Muriel Montenegro, an assistant director of admissions at the University of Washington, Bothell.

High schools are stocked with knowledgeable counselors and college advisers. “They often are familiar with the college application process and can help steer kids to a college that aligns with their interests,” says Montenegro. In some cases, counselors will visit classes to discuss options for after high school, and then students are encouraged to make follow-up appointments with counselors for one-on-one advice.

Most school districts have purchased online tools that can also help assess student interests and steer them toward appropriate careers or

parentmap.com/learning

ParentMap Learning 2018 • 15

college search 5 Things to Do Before Starting the College Search continued from page 15 colleges. WOIS is a Washington state database Admissions professionals frequently set up that provides career interest assessments, booths at local high schools to talk to students. suggests college pathways, and guides students The representative working the booth isn’t some in creating résumés and college application random person; they’re often the very person who material. Naviance is a similar tool for will be reviewing your child’s application. nationwide use. Students can usually access these College admissions personnel are assigned to online tools via school accounts. different geographic territories and high schools Also consider BigFuture. An online tool within those areas. “We get to know students,” created by the College Board (the company says Montenegro, “so when that student does that brings you the SAT and AP apply, [we] can say, ‘Oh yeah, curricula), BigFuture provides I met this student at that high questionnaires that recommend school,’ and can advocate for the colleges, resources to help with the student’s admission.”

Students admissions process and financial advice. The site also features to-do Now, for the underestimate lists for parents, with collegeapplication the power of their related tasks for them to complete Once in their junior year, students for each year their teenager is in who’ve done the work of selecting own story. high school. colleges find themselves in yet another quagmire: figuring out how to get in. There’s no perfect Visit campuses formula.

Campus visits are an essential part Of course, a student needs to meet the of a college search, but this doesn’t mean an East college’s minimum admissions requirements.

Coast road trip is in order.

Then, applications are reviewed holistically, “Whether you’re thinking of staying locally says Monica Tafoya, an assistant director of or not, take advantage of the fact that there are admissions at Seattle University. so many great institutions that you can explore “We look at the whole student,” she says. “Of within two hours,” says Adrian Hodos, an assistant course, we see the GPA, but we also look at grade director of admissions at Seattle University. “Visit trend, the classes that they’ve taken, what classes a big state school. Go to that smaller liberal arts are available at their high school and how they’ve school. Get a feel. Let that feeling inform what you pursued their unique academic interests.” are looking for in your college search.”

As far as how involved a student should be Once a student has been on several campuses, in their school and community, colleges want they’ll have more confidence answering quality over quantity. questions about college preferences.

“We’re looking for students who’ve had A campus visit also makes the idea of college meaningful experiences,” says Montenegro. “We tangible. If a 15-year-old becomes entranced aren’t looking for a long laundry list of clubs, with a dorm room or picturesque corner of a but rather one or two experiences that they can quad, that image may propel her through high speak about: why the activity is meaningful, what school, encouraging her to sign up for that AP leadership lessons they learned, what they’ll class or set a goal of all As for the next semester. bring to the campus community.”

“We have a lot of high school students who come But competitive GPA and test scores are here for a field trip,” says Montenegro. “Maybe UW crucial. “Academic factors really are of primary Bothell wasn’t on their minds, but they’re motivated importance,” says Matt Bishop, an assistant to apply after coming to campus.” director in the Office of Admissions at UW. “Extracurricular engagements are going to Make it personal come into play only as it relates to whether Making a personal connection with admissions your academic factors were strong or not. It can representatives is one of the most overlooked enhance an application, but academic factors are aspects of the college admissions process.

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16 • ParentMap Learning 2018

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going to be the driving decision.”

The question about what test score or GPA is “good enough” is impossible to answer.

“Admission is really fluid, and every year the candidate pool changes,” says Sandie Vea, a counselor at Everett’s Mariner High School.

Some years, students with a certain GPA will get in. Other years, that same GPA will not be competitive enough.

There are no guarantees. Students need to check specific admission requirements for the colleges that they’re interested in and then try to get as high above the bar as possible.

Tell your story y While grades, tests, classes and activities are important, so is a student’s story and their ability to tell it well.

“Colleges do take into account the challenges that kids overcome,” says Vea. “Students underestimate the power of their own story.”

Montenegro seconds that: “We have a lot of students who have family obligations at home, or work, or they have special interests like composing music. We encourage students to think beyond what they think we want to see.

We are always looking for reasons to admit students — never looking for reasons to deny — so the more thoughtful and thorough a student can be on the application, the more information we have to advocate for their admission.”

Bishop also stresses that the most compelling personal essays are ones that deviate from the normal clichés. “Try to stay away from topics that a lot of your peers might have written about,” he says. “We read a lot about service trips, sports championships and overcoming athletic injuries. If you write about a common experience, make sure to tell a story that only you could have written.”

Some of the best admissions essays that Bishop reads are about simple experiences, like a student having coffee with their dad. The best essays are “able to articulate a certain degree of self-reflection, nuance and self-awareness,” he says. “That is what is going to stand out.” n Jenna Vandenberg is a Seattle-based writer, runner and teacher. parentmap.com/learning

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after high school

Exploring Choices for Life After High School Here’s how to help your kid figure out what’s next

By Nancy Schatz Alton

C

hanges are good that every teenager yells “I’m not going to college!” at least once during high school. Whether or not they mean it is, of course, is up for debate. But what if pushing your kid onto a four-year college path isn’t the right fit?

The good news: The options after high school graduation are limitless. The trick is getting your kid past the “I don’t know what I want to do” quandary, says Bob Dannenhold, founder of Collegeology, which provides college, gap year and educational advisement for life after high school.

Here’s how to move your teen from having no answers to having a plan of action for life after high school.

Ask questions College advising professionals know that not every kid is ready for a four-year college and that the college experience isn’t the best fit for all young adults right after high school, says Dannenhold. He helps his clients evaluate their strengths and interests to develop a formal proposal for them to present to their parents.

To do this at home, have your kid discuss their strengths and interests. If they’re not comfortable doing that with you, ask a favorite relative, neighbor or teacher to help, says Dannenhold.

Those strengths and interests may not necessarily lead to college. Dannenhold’s young clients have told him of dreams of starting their own business; indeed, many have gone into business, which have included a mobile powerwashing company, a pool-cleaning service and a mobile key-making service.

If your teen is interested in going straight to work, but not necessarily to begin their own business, guide them to companies that will support their growth, says Dannenhold. “We’re lucky in Seattle to have so many companies that are a good, safe workplaces with growth opportunities, like Amazon and Costco,” he says.

Local parent Jody Allard notes that her eldest son went straight into the workforce and has parentmap.com/learning

ParentMap Learning 2018 • 19

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Exploring Choices for Life After High School continued from page 19 “Gap years give kids some time to grow and mature,” he says. “Some programs even offer college credits [or] are free, while others are a lot less than a year of college.”

Take profession out of the conversation Dannenhold recommends the Gap Year Association, When professional consultant Amber Wendover works a nonprofit accreditation and standards-setting with kids ages 16–22, she doesn’t ask them what they organization for gap years. Kids interested in gaining want to do. Instead, her goal is to get them to really skills while volunteering and exploring interests can understand themselves by asking questions like “What try City Year, AmeriCorps or the Student Conservation do you enjoy doing and why?”

Association. Also, check “What type of environment do for programs at specific you feel most comfortable in?” colleges; Princeton University and “What gives you the most encourages incoming freshmen energy?” to complete a gap year through I encourage parents to She takes profession out its tuition-free, nine-month of the equation. “If you’re Bridge Year program. stop talking and start working with a student who Also on the table as options says they are innovative and are two-year community listening, I remind them good with their hands and college programs and doesn’t want a desk job, it’s vocational schools. Look that it’s okay for a child important to help them create online for job-training a list of characteristics that not to have their life programs at both. One local highlights the root of their example: the composites strengths,” says Wendover, perfectly planned. training program at Edmonds who’s the founder of Thinking Community College. Students People Consulting. who complete the 15-credit She encourages her clients course receive a certificate to look at online job posting of completion and can sites, such as Indeed, and apply for apprenticeship programs at Boeing. Other conduct a search based on their strengths. “What local possibilities: Clover Park Technical College in happens when you type in the keyword ‘innovation’ Lakewood offers more than 40 programs that span or ‘creativity’?” she asks. “Students quickly realize that 13 fields, South Seattle College is well known for its there are more jobs available than we are able to list culinary program, and Tacoma Community College on paper.” offers a training course to become a certified forklift She then has her clients review the job requirements. driver and earn as much as $38,000 a year.

“Sometimes they realize that a four-year college degree already experienced three promotions at his tech startup; he’s on the verge of making more money than she does, she notes.

“

”

is necessary,” says Wendover. “Sometimes it shows them another path.”

Wendover also asks her clients to interview every adult they know — from their favorite high school teacher to the family mechanic — to ask how they got to where they are now. The task helps her clients learn how to better communicate and to understand that networking matters. (Plus, it doesn’t hurt to realize how winding a career path can be, she says.)

And finally, listen

Explore every option

No matter what your child’s interest, there is one piece of advice that matters most, says Wendover. “I encourage parents to stop talking and start listening,” she says. “I remind them that it’s okay for a child not to have their life perfectly planned.”

It’s okay to make mistakes, she adds. “For most of us, our career path is full of trial, error and experience,” Wendover says. “Your child’s unique path will lead them to where they’re meant to be.” n

While “gap year” might be one of the trendiest phrases of 2018, Dannenhold has been helping young adults plan these adventures and volunteer experiences for 30 years.

Nancy Schatz Alton is a writer, teacher and poet. She can’t wait to ask her eldest daughter, “What gives you the most energy?” parentmap.com/learning

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Here’s a list of STEAM activities you can do in your own backyard that will let you enjoy the last days of summer vacation and prep your kids for the new school year. Find more at parentmap.com/steam 1. Try splatter painting and squirt gun painting to show your kids that art doesn’t have to be precise to be beautiful. Set up canvases, easel paper or a large paper roll, then let your kids go to town. The (messy) results from your young Jackson Pollocks may surprise you!

2. Your kids don’t have to have advanced knowledge of the states of matter in order to love melting ice into water. Set ice cubes in a muffin tray and douse them with warm water, cold water, salt and sugar to see which cubes melt fastest. Or freeze a bunch of toy dinosaurs inside water balloons. Then, give your kids warm water and eye droppers to “excavate” their prehistoric friends.

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3. Put all those “special” rocks and shells collected at the beach to good use. First, count up your treasures and practice sorting them into different groups (color, shape, size and type). Then, make mosaic art with the findings: Glue sea glass onto canvas in the shape of a fish, or arrange shells in a pretty pattern on a piece of salt dough for a keepsake ornament.

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exceptional kids

4 Myths About Twice Exceptional Kids Plus, resources to help your children thrive

By Maegen Blue

S

arah* says she always knew her older daughter was unusual. She talked early, used vocabulary much more sophisticated than that of her peers and read as a preschooler.

The Seattle-area mom of two and her husband also noticed that something seemed off about the way their daughter interacted with other children. A school district evaluation found motor delays and sensory and social issues, and Sarah’s daughter qualified for special parentmap.com/learning

education services. But it wasn’t until she was 9 that the family received a complete diagnosis after more thorough testing.

Sarah’s daughter is on the autism spectrum and has a visual processing disorder called NVLD, as well as a specific learning disability in math. She is also profoundly gifted, scoring in the 99th percentile on the verbal portion of the IQ test.

This unique profile is what’s commonly referred to as “twice exceptional” or “2e.”

If you’re the parent or teacher of someone who is 2e or if you’re 2e yourself, you’ve likely encountered plenty of myths about what it means to be twice exceptional. Read on for facts and expert advice.

Myth no. 1: A gifted child can’t have learning issues The term 2e refers to a child who is exceptional in at least two ways. Most commonly, the term refers to a child who is intellectually gifted and ParentMap Learning 2018 • 23

exceptional kids 4 Myths About Twice Exceptional Kids continued from page 23 also has a learning disability, attention issue or special need. Despite abundant research on 2e children in schools, there is still a lack of awareness that these children exist.

Why? Often these children are overlooked because of their unusual combinations of strengths and weaknesses.

For example, a child may be verbally gifted but have a learning disability like dysgraphia, which affects their ability to take notes and get ideas on paper. Their English teacher may just see a bright child who needs to try harder or who simply doesn’t complete their work.

To complicate matters, many educators have received little or no information about this unique group of children.

“My husband and I have both worked in the public school system for more than 20 years apiece and knew nothing about 2e until we experienced it as parents,” says Staci S.*, whose son is 2e. “Maybe that’s the biggest myth I see: That it isn’t a real thing or something to be addressed.”

Myth no. 2: Your child just needs to try harder Another common — and often damaging — misconception about people who are twice exceptional is that their strengths allow them to cope with their disabilities without extra support.

Sometimes, well-meaning adults will tell the parents of a child who is 2e that their child is just being lazy or needs to try harder. These kids often have such good coping skills that people don’t see their struggles.

As Sarah says about her daughter, “She is smart enough that teachers don’t see her struggles with her disability, and disabled enough that people don’t always see how smart she is.”

Myth no. 3: 2e children don’t belong in advanced classes Schools often seem flummoxed about where to place 2e children. These kids neither match the profile of a typical student in a special education classroom nor that of a more typical student in an honors or gifted class. Several parents I spoke

24 • ParentMap Learning 2018

with have been told that kids who are in advanced classes shouldn’t need extra support.

Sarah recalls her experience with Seattle Public Schools this way: “I had to fight for her to be included in the public school gifted program and then had to fight for her to get support once she was in it.”

Myth no. 4: 2e children can’t qualify for help from the school system It’s not uncommon for parents of 2e kids to hear that their children aren’t behind enough to

Resources for 2e Kids and Their Families Support groups. Search for Facebook groups for parents of 2e children as well as for teens and adults who are twice exceptional.

Books. A couple of titles to get you started are “Different Minds: Gifted Children with AD/HD, Asperger Syndrome and Other Learning Deficits” by Deirdre V. Lovecky, and “Twice-Exceptional Gifted Children: Understanding, Teaching, and Counseling Gifted Students” by Beverly Trail.

Online resources. The National Association for Gifted Children has a helpful section on support for 2e students. The Twice Exceptional newsletter (2enewsletter.com) has a wealth of information, and Wrightslaw is a great resource for information on IEPs and students’ rights.

Film. Watch the film “2e: Twice Exceptional” to learn of other family stories and resources (2emovie.com).

*Names have been changed.

qualify for special support at school; however, federal law requires schools to try to identify students with disabilities.

Some 2e kids qualify for individualized education plans (IEPs), while others don’t receive specially designed instruction, but do receive accommodations from a 504 plan. For example, a child with dysgraphia may need an electronic notetaker, or a child with a processingspeed issue may need extended time to take tests.

If you have difficulty getting help for your child, you may want to enlist the help of an advocate, a person specially trained in laws that apply to the education of children with special needs. Two online directories to check are those at Twice Exceptional Children’s Advocacy and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates.

Also, local groups can often suggest eresources; try Washington nonprofit Exceptional Families Network.

Whatever your child’s unique set of special gifts, it’s crucial that they get the time and support to pursue those strengths. In some cases, that means letting go of what you thought you knew about your child.

“We had to learn how to appreciate her for who she is and not try to force her into the mold of more typical kids,” says Sarah of her daughter.

“She flies high when we let her special interests guide her education and her social life. We were all happier once we quit forcing so many therapies on her and just let her be.” n Maegen Blue is the editor of SoundsFunMom.com, a blog for South Sound families. She lives in Puyallup with her husband and two boys. parentmap.com/learning

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private or public

Private School or Public School?

How three local families made the choice

By Nancy Schatz Alton

P

rivate school or public school? Ask around and everyone has a different answer, but hearing how other families wrestled with their decision might just help in making your own.

We found three local families that pondered sending their children to private schools.

One family chose public. Another has sent its daughters to both private and public schools.

The third has a son in a private Montessori school. These are their stories.

The Bishops: Public School As the daughter of teachers, Julianne Bishop of North Seattle has always been a strong proponent of public school education.

“Philosophically, my husband and I have said we’d keep our kids at public school as long as it can meet our children’s needs,” says Bishop, who is a pediatrician and a mom to Katie, a high school freshman, and Jack, a fifth-grader.

After moving to another school because of boundary changes, Katie experienced a “disastrous” eighth-grade year. Thinking an incoming freshman class of smore than 600 students at their local public high school might not be a good fit, the Bishops began researching private, parochial and smaller public schools.

And so, Katie applied to three schools: Lakeside School’s new micro school in downtown Seattle; a Catholic high school in North Seattle; and The Center School, a small public high school for the arts in Seattle. She was accepted at both the Catholic high school and The Center School; picking between the two was tough, says Bishop.

“The private school had everything we were looking for academically, but The Center School offered a small size [380 students], an amazing social fit and a leadership team that will provide a solid educational experience,” she says.

In particular, Bishop points to Katie’s involvement in the school’s Gay/Straight Alliance, which she joined in eighth grade.

“She wants to be at a school where it’s normal parentmap.com/learning

to introduce yourself with ‘Hi, I’m Katie and my pronoun is she,’” says Bishop.

The plan is different for the Bishops’ fifth-grade son: They plan to switch him to one of the local Catholic schools for middle school and high school, based on the schools’ smaller academic environments and to avoid any possible school changes resulting from boundary or overcrowding issues.

Bishop’s advice to parents: Start the school touring process early.

“Make visits the year prior to when you want to apply,” she says. “Involve your child by giving them options that you will support. Ultimately, my daughter chose the school she felt was the best fit, but if we hadn’t looked at all of the options, I couldn’t have supported her final pick.”

The O’Driscolls: Private and Public Schools Kari O’Driscoll fully planned on sending her daughters to public school after they attended kindergarten at a private Montessori school.

But a prolonged illness in the family made keeping her daughters together in the same school particularly attractive.

“My husband was sick for three and a half years and in and out of the hospital every 12 weeks,” O’Driscoll says. “The one-year overlap when Erin was in class with her younger sister, Lauren, was awesome during an incredibly difficult time.”

For fourth grade, Erin switched to a Woodinville public school. “Although she tested into the school’s advanced program, she was wait-listed. By Thanksgiving, she was depressed, anxious and in therapy,” says O’Driscoll, a social-emotional learning specialist and writer who lives in *Name has been changed.

South Seattle.

After learning that other parents had enrolled their wait-listed kids in private afterschool enrichment programs to quell their boredom, O’Driscoll began researching private schools.

“When we visited Seattle Girls’ School, it was loud and joyful. Erin said, ‘Oh Mom! I have goosebumps — this feels good,’” she says.

The choice was made: Both girls attended the private Seattle Girls’ School for middle school. For high school, Erin attended Seattle Preparatory School (also private), while Lauren attended The Northwest School for two years. She’s since transferred to a community college to finish high school through a public high school’s Running Start program.

“Lauren is incredibly intrinsically motivated, and she knows who she is and what she wants.

This way, she can finish high school and follow her passion to learn more about her chosen field of music,” says O’Driscoll, who says private

ParentMap Learning 2018 • 27

private or public Private School or Public School continued from page 27 education has helped her youngest thrive.

“During kindergarten, a teacher helped us figure out that Lauren has a sensory processing issue. If she had attended public school, I feel like Lauren would have used her entire bandwidth to keep it together. She probably would have been diagnosed with ADHD. At Seattle Girls’ School, she learned to self-advocate to have her learning needs met,” says O’Driscoll.

O’Driscoll urges parents to look at every available educational option: “Nothing is forever. If your first choice isn’t working out, there’s nothing wrong with finding a better fit. You know your child’s strengths and challenges. You can choose an environment that helps support their growth.”

The Stewarts: Private School Facing the expensive fees of her son’s private Seattle-area Montessori school, Kay Stewart* planned to switch her son, Max*, to public school this fall. But then she realized that her 7-year-old first-grader’s private school had

choice. Based on what she heard, Stewart felt she’d have to be constantly advocating for Max if he attended the school.

“Max’s current school is already working hard to help him, and I’ve already established a relationship with them that makes advocating easy,” she says. “By keeping him there, I can focus more on enjoying my time with my son.”

Still, Stewart says she may send Max to public school later. She’d love for him to experience a more diverse community of families and to attend school with neighborhood kids. But she’s happy with her decision and encourages other parents to trust their gut.

“I fought my intuition, but deep down I knew what was right for my kiddo all along,” she says.

“Everybody else has an opinion, but the only thing that matters is what’s best for you and your child.” n

become more than a school.

“While we have neighbors and friends, the only significant adults in his life besides me are at this school. The smaller size means all the kids can have close relationships with the staff,” says Stewart, a victims’ rights advocate who lives in Seattle. “The personalized learning environment is his luxury; it’s my gift to him.”

Many details factored into her decision to keep Max in private school. For one, Stewart was concerned about her active son having less outdoor time at the local public school. She also likes the Montessori school’s mixed-age classes and its flexible environment, which includes plenty of project-based learning driven by student interests.

A single mom, Stewart also prefers the private school’s schedule to maximize precious earlymorning and late-afternoon time with her son.

Plus, she was worried that there wouldn’t be space in the public school’s after-school care program.

It was talking with parents whose kids attend the local public school that confirmed Stewart’s

Nancy Schatz Alton is a writer, teacher and poet. Read her work at Within the Words (withinthewords.com).

FIELD TRIP PACKAGES Storytelling Guided tour

GROUP TOURS HibulbCulturalCenter.org

Hibulb Cultural Center 6410 23rd Ave NE Tulalip, WA 98271 Located less than a mile west of I-5 exit 199.

28 • ParentMap Learning 2018

Outdoor scavenger hunt Listen to traditional stories in the longhouse Canoe Guided tour Gallery scavenger hunt Sand and design your own cedar paddle necklace Weaving Guided tour Weaving scavenger hunt Weave your own cedar mat pendant parentmap.com/learning

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS Assumption-St. Bridget School PreK-8

OPEN HOUSE OCT 25 NOV 14 JAN 31 asbschool.org Small classes

8_sponge_1-16.indd 1

Learning Resource Center

Pre-

Come for a visit

Accepting Applications for Pre-K, K, and 1st Grade for 2018 - 2019 Schedule a visit: (206) 283-1828 www.matheia.org

Strong core curriculum

8/16/18 1:13 PM

LM18_matheia_1-16.indd 1

St. Joseph School is an all-city K-8 grade school offering a holistic, progressive, Catholic education.

Learn more or apply online at www.stjosephsea.org

8/28/18 3:41 PM

Now enrolling Preschool - 8th grade Preschool/K Open House - Nov. 7th Open House - Jan. 26th

415 N. 117th St., Seattle, WA 98133

WEM

www.ckseattle.org

|

206-364-6890

Small World Montessori

The Whole Earth Montessori School Est. 1986 Accredited by the American Montessori Society

|

Preschool at Maltby Elementary Preschool and Snohomish/Monroe

Kindergarten

Preschool and Kindergarten in in Everett/Mill Creek Everett/Mill Creek Preschool - 8th Grade WEM: An exceptional academic program... an authentic Montessori experience...

To learn more about our programs please contact us for a tour: info@wemschool.org

www.wemschool.org parentmap.com/learning

$50.00

Visit our website for more or call to this offinformation registration with schedule a tour.

ad.

Now Enrolling for Fall 2014 Visit our website for more information or call to www.smallworldmontessori.com schedule a tour.

425-338-7771 www.smallworldmontessori.com 425-338-7771 ParentMap Learning 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ 29

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS The Sammamish Montessori School In Redmond

Call 425-883-3271 for a tour. ͻ Child-centered, joyful atmosphere with strong academic focus ͻ džƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚ͕ DŽŶƚĞƐƐŽƌŝͲĐĞƌƟĮĞĚ ƚĞĂĐŚĞƌƐ ͻ Preschool, kindergarten and elementary ͻ Family owned and operated since 1977 ͻ ^ƵŵŵĞƌ͕ ďĞĨŽƌĞ Θ ĂŌĞƌ ƐĐŚŽŽů ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ ͻ WƌĞƉ WƌŽŐƌĂŵ͕ ;ƐƚĂƌƟŶŐ ĂŐĞƐ Ϯ 1/Ϯ-3)

425-883-3271

Now Enrolling

www.sammamishmontessori.com

30 • ParentMap Learning 2018

RE-IMAGINE SCHOOL Serene 5-acre campus • Serving students from six months to sixth grade • Farm animals on-site MCHKIDS.COM • 425-868-7805 5003 218TH AVE NE, REDMOND, WA 98053

parentmap.com/learning

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS NOW ENROLLING!

North Seattle College Cooperative Preschools Community and education for your child and you!

northseattlecoops.org Kindergarten Information Night October 23 All School Open House November 13 Preschool Open House January 15

Programs for children Birth to 5 years

Learning Academy

hls.HopeSeattle.org

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SnoSpringS School

9/4/18 9:39 PM FD18_north_seattle_comm_college_1-16.indd 1

PRE-K thru 2nd Grade 5/31/18

4:55 PM

Now accepting applications for 2019-20 School Year • Accelerated Academic Program • State Certified Teachers • Individualized Instruction • Extended Day Program until 6pm • Science, Technology, Spanish, Fitness • Now Celebrating Our 21st Year

Accepting Applications!

Issaquah & Snoqualmie Schedule a tour today!

425.313.9129 www.sjsissaquah.org

*Foundation Education* Issaquah / Sammamish Plateau snosprings.com • 425-392-1196 Snoqualmie Springs School

LM18_snoqualmie_springs_school_1-16.indd 1

9/4/18 12:17 PM

P R E - K • K- P R E P CREATIVE ARTS • K I N D E R G A R T E N

Low Ratios & Small Classes Hands-on Learning Integrated Technology Nutrition & Active Lifestyle Education Learn more at proclub.com or (425) 861-6247 4455 148th Ave NE Bellevue WA

OPEN TO EVERYONE

SWIM LESSONS

SO

SW

T

Lessons now available for non-prime time hours. All ages and abilities.

BES

World Class Aquatic Center Expert Instructors Techniques for confidence, comfort and fun

NS

Teaching more kids to swim than anywhere in the Northwest.

IM LES

(425) 861-6274 or aquaticsinfo@proclub.com parentmap.com/learning

ParentMap Learning 2018 • 31

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS ST. MONICA CATHOLIC SCHOOL P3 – 8th grade

An invitation to consider the best educational opportunity possible for your child Educating the Leaders of Tomorrow, Today.

Mercer Island, minutes from I-90

The Learning Tree 1721 15 Ave Seattle WA 98122 206-324-4788 th

Come and take a tour of our amazing preschool!

Know and Be Known Educating students in a culture of connectedness

Come see what the King’s community can offer your child.

All School Open House Preschool – High School November 4 – 2:00 pm Offering Spanish Immersion for Kindergarten

We have provided year-round, all-day care for children on Asia Pacific Language School Capitol Hill LM18_st_monica_1-16.indd Accredited 1 7/12/18

by OSPI since 1979 in a cozy, beautiful Every child has the potential to learn and master setting. two or more languages and achieve academic success We embrace families of all with multilingual skills for future opportunities structures, colors and in a globalized society. religions.

Call to sign up for a tour: 206-324-4788 info@learningtreemontessori. com

kingsschools.org 206.289.7783

Shoreline, WA

Schedule a Tour Today! • StMonicaSea.org

Open Houses, 10am-noon, November 3 and January 12

OPEN ADMISSION FOR Chinese & Japanese Preschool (Ages 2½ - 5) Chinese & Japanese Kindergarten & 1st Grade (Ages 5 - 6) Chinese & Japanese afterschool classes Chinese & Japanese high school credits & A/P preparation Summer Language Camps

www.apls.org 425-641-1703

Cedar Crest Academy . . . challenging the mind, nurturing the heart 0918_the_learning_tree_1-8v.indd 1

Elementary

• Highly Capable Academics

Kindergarten – 5th Grade

• Character Education • School Houses and Clubs • Science and Technology • Physical Education • Arts, Drama, Music • World Languages

Now accepting applications

8/16/18 3:57 PM 0917_asia_pacific_language_school_1-16.indd 1

If you are looking for an advanced educational, social & emotional foundation . . .

8/14/17 3:01 PM

Preprimary

30 Months – 5 Years

Bellevue - Kirkland - Redmond

Visit cedarcrestacademy.org to schedule a tour 32 • ParentMap Learning 2018 0618_cedar_crest_FINAL_1-2h.indd 1

5:14 PM

5/14/18 8:34 AM

learning resources ( Education Online

CAMPS, CLASSES + ACTIVITIES Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center..............................................8 Interactive exhibits on global work to improve lives Seattle; 206-709-3100 ext. 7100 discovergates.org

Briora Ballroom Dance Studio.................. 26 Dance instruction tailored to you Redmond; 425-641-5123 briora.com; info@briora.com

Creative Dance Center.................................... 22 Classes for infants, children, teens and adults Seattle; 206-363-7281 creativedance.org info@creativedance.org DigiPen Institute of Technology................... 21 Programming, game design, art, engineering; grades K–12 Seattle, Redmond; 425-629-5007 projectfun.digipen.edu projectfun@digipen.edu Drawn2Art.......................................................... 22 Drawing and painting instruction; ages 4 and up Redmond; 425-498-2425 drawn2artclasses.com drawn2artredmond@gmail.com Gotta Dance........................................................ 26 Dance instruction in ballet, hip hop, jazz, more Redmond; 425-861-5454 gottadance.com Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve.............................................................. 28 Interactive exhibits showcasing the Tulalip Tribes Tulalip; 360-716-2600 hibulbculturalcenter.org KEYTIME, Inc....................................................... 21 Innovative typing instruction for all ages Seattle; 206-522-TYPE keytime.com King County Library System.......................... 40 Books, resources and programs for all ages 48 King County locations kcls.org LeMay – America’s Car Museum..................... 6 Design, tinker and explore the world of automobiles Tacoma; 253-779-8490 americascarmuseum.org education@americascarmuseum.org

parentmap.com/learning

Lincoln South Food Hall.................................. 39 6 kitchens offering affordable, family-friendly dining Bellevue; 425-362-6082 lincolnsfh.com The Music Haven............................................... 26 Music lesson collective teaching 9 instruments Redmond themusichaven.org Music Works Northwest................................. 25 Music lessons, camps and classes; all ages and levels Bellevue; 425-644-0988 musicworksnw.org registration@musicworksnw.org The Parrot Lady Educational Enrichment 26 Amazing assemblies, parties and events with parrots All areas; 253-951-4452 parrotlady.com debbie@parrotlady.com Pump It Up.......................................................... 25 Birthday parties, open jumps, camps and more Kirkland, Lynnwood; 425-820-2297, 425-774-2297 pumpitupparty.com/seattle-birthday-parties Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio........... 22 Kids art classes, parties, coworking office for parents Seattle; 206-522-1187 roaringmouse.org information@roaringmouse.org Rock Solid Science............................................ 25 STEM enrichment, geology, parties and corporate events Seattle area; 206-715-2556 rocksolidscience.com Safe N Sound Swimming................................. 25 1-on-1 swim lessons, water and outdoor adventure camps Seattle; 206-285-9279 snsswim.com Samena Swim and Recreation Club............. 26 Preschool, before- and after-school care, swim lessons Bellevue; 425-746-1160 samena.com School of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts (SANCA)................................................................ 22 Experience the circus: classes, camps, parties, more Seattle; 206-652-4433 sancaseattle.org office@sancaseattle.org

Seattle Girls Choir............................................ 25 Progressive choral music education for girls; ages 6–18 Seattle; 206-526-1900 seattlegirlschoir.org info@seattlegirlschoir.org Sunshine Music Together LLC....................... 22 Early-childhood music classes; ages 0–5 6 greater Seattle-area locations; 206-281-1111 sunshinemusictogether.com WiggleWorks Kids..................................................... 39 Indoor play and parties for kids 48 inches and under Bellevue, Puyallup; 425-641-2186, 253-445-6551 wiggleworkskids.com

PARENT RESOURCES 2nd Base.............................................................. 21 Quality used and vintage sporting goods Seattle; 206-325-BASE 2ndbaseseattle.com info2ndbase@gmail.com A Nanny For U.................................................... 21 Nannies, doulas, domestic solutions, events, more Seattle, Eastside; 206-525-1510 anannyforu.com; info@anannyforu.com Allegro Pediatrics............................................... 2 Where healthier futures begin 8 Eastside locations; 425-827-4600 allegropediatrics.com Children’s Dental Center.................................. 6 Dr. Seetin, pediatric specialist for kids and teens Everett; 425-355-1136 childrensdentalcenter.net Lynnwood Kids Dentist..................................... 8 Comprehensive pediatric dental care Lynnwood; 425-774-1285 kidsdentist.com Pediatric Speech and Language Therapy 21 Communication assessment and intervention for children Seattle, Bellevue; 206-547-2500 pediatricspeechtherapy.org info@pediatricspeechtherapy.org PRO Medical Counseling Center..................... 4 Diagnosis, counseling, behavior modification Bellevue; 425-462-2776 proclub.com

(

....... 4 Washington College Savings Plans Helping families save with two flexible plans GET, 800-955-2318; DreamAhead, 844-529-5845 wastate529.wa.gov >>

ParentMap Learning 2018 • 33

learning resources PARENT RESOURCES continued from page 33

(

WithinReach......................................................... 8 Connecting families with resources and services Statewide; 800-322-2588 parenthelp123.org

Billings Middle School Dynamic academic community, excellent faculty Seattle; 206-547-4614 billingsmiddleschool.org

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS

Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool.............................................................. 3 Childcare, early education, summer camp Multiple Puget Sound locations; 877-624-4532 brighthorizons.com/seattlecenters

(

Academy for Precision Learning An independent, inclusive school for grades K–12 Seattle; 206-427-0115 aplschool.org info@aplschool.org Academy Schools.............................................. 36 Small enough to make a big difference; pre-K– grade 12 Tukwila; 206-588-0860 academyschools.org administration@academyschools.org

(

Annie Wright Schools ............................... 17 Co-ed preschool–8; single gender day and boarding 9–12 Tacoma; 253-272-2216 aw.org admissions@aw.org Asia Pacific Language School........................ 32 Chinese and Japanese preschool, kindergarten, after-care Bellevue; 425-747-4172, 425-641-1703 apls.org apls@apls.org

(

Cedar Crest Academy ............................... 32 An academically enriching program; preschool– grade 5 Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond; 425-454-1234 cedarcrestacademy.org

(

Charles Wright Academy ......................... 14 Private, independent, co-ed day school; pre-K–grade 12 Tacoma; 253-620-8373 charleswright.org admissions@charleswright.org Christ the King School..................................... 29 Catholic, individualized learning; preschool– grade 8 Seattle; 206-364-6890 ckseattle.org schooloffice@ckseattle.org Eastside Catholic School............................ 13,14 Faith-based learning; co-ed, grades 6–12 Sammamish; 425-295-3000 eastsidecatholic.org info@eastsidecatholic.org

(

Assumption – St. Bridget School ........... 29 Comprehensive, Catholic education; pre-K– grade 8 Seattle; 206-524-7452 asbschool.org admissions@asbschool.org

(

The Bear Creek School ............................. 18 Christian liberal arts education; preschool– grade 12 Redmond; 425-898-1720 tbcs.org chazeltine@tbcs.org Bellevue College Parent Education Program................................................................. 6 Early learning, parent education, art, music, science Greater Eastside; 425-564-2365 bellevuecollege.edu/parented Bellevue Montessori School.......................... 31 Inspiring life-long learners; ages 3–12 Bellevue; 425-454-7439 bellmontessori.com

34 • ParentMap Learning 2018

(

Eastside Community School ................... 39 Inspired by Waldorf education; early childhood– grade 8 Bellevue; 425-598-2914 eastsidecommunityschool.org info@eastsidecommunityschool.org

(

Eastside Preparatory School Inspiring grades 5–12 to think, act, lead, innovate Kirkland; 425-822-5668 eastsideprep.org; admissions@eastsideprep.org

(

Epiphany School ......................................... 10 Independent elementary school; pre-K–grade 5 Seattle; 206-323-9011 epiphanyschool.org gjones@epiphanyschool.org

(

The Evergreen School ............................... 17 Serving highly capable learners; preschool– grade 8 Shoreline/N. Seattle; 206-364-0801 evergreenschool.org

Explorer West Middle School........................ 10 Award-winning academic programs, STEM, arts, outdoor ed West Seattle; 206-935-0495 explorer-west.org; katiea@explorer-west.org Forest Ridge — The Sacred Heart School of

(

Seattle ........................................................... 18 Independent, Catholic, all-girls school; grades 5–12 Bellevue; 425-641-0700 forestridge.org admissions@forestridge.org French American School of Puget Sound 13 Excellence today, the world tomorrow; ages 2½–14 Mercer Island; 206-275-3533 fasps.org; info@fasps.org French Immersion School of Washington Bilingual preschool and elementary; ages 2½–grade 5 South Bellevue; 425-653-3970 fisw.org; admissions@fisw.org

(

(

Heritage Christian Academy Preschool through middle school Bothell; 425-485-2585 hcabothell.org; info@hcabothell.org

(

Hope Lutheran School .............................. 31 Rigorous academics, Christian faith; preschool– grade 8 West Seattle; 206-935-8500 hls.hopeseattle.org; admissions@hopeseattle.org JDS: The Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle ........................................................... 17 Jewish community school; early childhood– grade 8 Bellevue; 425-460-0200 jds.org; admissions@jds.org

(

Jennifer Rosen Meade Preschool................. 39 Full- or part-time experiential preschool Bellevue; 425-559-2571 jrmpreschool.org; ssolomon@tdhs-nw.org KapKa Cooperative School............................. 14 Experiential and social emotional learning; grades K–5 Seattle; 206-522-0350 kapkaschool.org; registrar@kapkaschool.org Kiddie Academy of Kirkland............................ 3 Child care for infants–age 5; camps for ages 1–12 Kirkland; 425-242-0075 kiddieacademy.com/kirkland kirkland@kiddieacademy.net

parentmap.com/learning

( Education Online

(

King’s Schools ............................................. 32 Challenging academics in a faith-focused community Seattle; 206-289-7783 kingsschools.org

(

The Lake and Park School An independent school for preschool–grade 5 Seattle; 206-721-3480 lakeandparkschool.org admin@lakeandparkschool.org

(

Lake Washington Girls Middle School 30 Girls strong in mind, body and voice; grades 6–8 Seattle; 206-709-3800 lwgms.org; info@lwgms.org The Learning Tree Montessori Preschool 32 Child-centered, all-day care for ages 2½–6 Seattle; 206-324-4788 learningtreemontessori.com info@learningtreemontessori.com

(

The Little School .......................................... 9 Experiential, child-centered learning; ages 3–11 Bellevue; 425-827-8708 thelittleschool.org; info@thelittleschool.org Living Wisdom School..................................... 10 Raising organic children; yoga; preschool– grade 5 Lynnwood; 425-772-9862 livingwisdomschoolwa.org Matheia School................................................... 29 Hands-on, experience-based learning; pre-K– grade 5 Seattle; 206-283-1828 matheia.org matheia@matheia.org

The Meridian School........................................ 14 Inclusive community balancing work and play Seattle; 206-632-7154 meridianschool.edu Montessori Children’s House........................ 30 AMS-accredited Montessori school; infants– grade 8 Redmond; 425-868-7805 mchkids.com office@mchkids.com

(

Morningside Academy ............................. 38 Rigorous full-year and summer; grades 1–9 Seattle; 206-709-9500 morningsideacademy.org info@morningsideacademy.org North Seattle College...................................... 31 Birth-to-five classes, co-op preschool, parent education Seattle; 206-934-6029 northseattlecoops.org Nurturing Knowledge...................................... 38 Toddler, preschool and pre-K programs 5 Seattle locations; 206-755-0366 nurturingknowledge.com

(

Open Window School ................................ 18 For gifted kids who love to learn; grades K–8 Bellevue; 425-747-2911 openwindowschool.org admissions@ows.org

(

Pacific Crest School ................................... 38 Urban and rural Montessori education; preschool–grade 8 Seattle; 206-789-7889 pacificcrest.org; info@pacificcrest.org

Primrose School of West Bellevue Balanced learning and full-time care; infants–pre-K Bellevue; 425-315-7305 primrosewestbellevue.com

( ....... 38

PRO Club Discovery Bay Learning Academy.............................................................. 31 Pre-K, kindergarten, Creative Arts Academy; ages 2½–6 Bellevue; 425-861-6247 proclub.com Puget Sound Community School.................. 29 Turning passion into achievement; grades 6–12 Seattle; 206-324-4350 pscs.org pscs@pscs.org Puget Sound Independent Schools.............. 37 Admissions collaborative connecting families and schools Greater Puget Sound area pugetsoundindependentschools.org Sammamish Montessori School Preschool, kindergarten, summer, extended care Redmond; 425-883-3271 sammamishmontessori.com info@sammamishmontessori.com

( ............ 30

Seabury School.................................................... 9 Advanced curriculum for gifted students; pre-K–grade 8 Tacoma; 253-952-3111 seabury.org office@seabury.org >>

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS Preschool/ Kindergarten Information Night 1/17/19 at 7 pm Principal Q & A 1/22/19 at 9 am

< Degrees & Certificates

All School Open House 1/27/19 at Noon

< Co-op Preschools < Parent-Child Center

Visit St. John School 120 N 79th Street, Seattle, WA 98103

www.st-johnschool.org 206-783-0337 ext 323

parentmap.com/learning

ParentMap Learning 2018 • 35

learning resources ( Education Online

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS continued from page 35

(

Seattle Academy .......................................... 9 College prep curriculum for grades 6–12 Seattle; 206-324-7227 seattleacademy.org admissions@seattleacademy.org

(

Seattle Country Day School .................... 14 Inspiring gifted K–8 students through inquiry learning Seattle; 206-691-2625 seattlecountryday.org admissions@seattlecountryday.org

(

Shoreline Christian School ..................... 36 Faith and learning in action; preschool–grade 12 Shoreline; 206-364-7777 shorelinechristian.org Shoreline Community College...................... 35 7 co-op preschools with parenting education Shoreline; 206-546-4593 shoreline.edu/parenting-education Small World Montessori................................. 29 Education with individual attention Everett; 425-338-7771 smallworldmontessori.com info@smallworldmontessori.com Snoqualmie Springs School............................ 31 Accelerated academic program; pre-K–grade 2 Sammamish/Issaquah; 425-392-1196 snosprings.com jdrovetto@snosprings.com Sponge – Language for Kids........................... 29 Instruction in Spanish, Mandarin and more; ages 0–10 Multiple Puget Sound locations; 206-227-7138 spongeschool.com info@spongeschool.com

(

Spruce Street School Personalized instruction for students ages 5–11 Seattle; 206-621-9211 sprucestreetschool.org info@sprucestreetschool.org St. John Catholic School.................................. 35 Challenging academics for preschool–grade 8 Seattle; 206-783-0337 st-johnschool.org St. Joseph School............................................... 29 Seattle’s Jesuit parish school Seattle; 206-329-3260 stjosephsea.org school@stjosephsea.org St. Joseph School – Issaquah and Snoqualmie ................................................. 31 Academic and spiritual growth; preschool– grade 8 Issaquah, Snoqualmie; 425-313-9129, 425-888-9130 sjsissaquah.org

(

St. Monica Catholic School............................. 32 Spiritual, STEM and arts education; pre-K–grade 8 Mercer Island; 206-232-5432 stmonicasea.org; info@stmonicasea.org

(

Villa Academy ............................................. 10 Catholic, independent school serving preschool–grade 8 Seattle; 206-524-8885 thevilla.org admission@thevilla.org Whole Earth Montessori School................... 29 Montessori learning environment for ages 2½–14 Bothell; 425-486-3037 wemschool.org info@wemschool.org

( ............. 17

Woodinville Montessori School Accredited Montessori program for toddlers–high school Bothell, Woodinville; 425-482-3184 woodinvillemontessori.org info@woodinvillemontessori.org

TUTORING, TESTING + CONSULTING (

Best in Class Education Center English, math, tutoring, test prep, more; pre-K–grade 12 10 Puget Sound locations; 888-683-8108 bestinclasseducation.com

St. Thomas School............................................. 18 Non-sectarian education; preschool–grade 8 Medina; 425-454-5880 stthomasschool.org; info@stthomasschool.org

Education Maven.............................................. 21 Independent education and college consultant Greater Seattle area educationmaven.net phyl.levine@gmail.com

UCDS – University Child Development School................................................................... 14 Igniting a renaissance in education; pre-K–grade 5 Seattle; 206-547-8237 ucds.org info@ucds.org

UW Robinson Center for Young Scholars 7 Acceleration and enrichment for highly capable students Seattle; 206-543-4160 robinsoncenter.uw.edu rcys@uw.edu n

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS Small enough to make a big difference  Pre-K through Grade 12  Max 10 Students per Grade  Inspiring Teachers 14601 Interurban Ave. S. Tukwila

Centrally Located I-5/405 Interchange at Southcenter

206-588-0860

36 • ParentMap Learning 2018

 Challenging Curriculum  Robotics, Chess, Legos, Music, Computer, Field Trips & Outdoor Environmental Learning Center

 Creative After School Clubs and Before & After School Child Care  Adventurous & Academic Discovery and Summer Academy

www.academyschools.org

parentmap.com/learning

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS

Featuring 40+ member schools from Preschool to 12th Grade including: Bertschi School Billings Middle School Bright Water School Eastside Preparatory School Epiphany School Explorer West Middle School Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart French American School of Puget Sound French Immersion School of Washington Giddens School Hamlin Robinson School Harbor School KapKa Cooperative School Lake Washington Girls’ Middle School Lakeside School Leadership Preparatory Academy Open Window School Seattle Academy Seattle Country Day School Seattle Girls’ School Seattle Jewish Community School Seattle Waldorf School Soundview School Spruce Street School St. Thomas School The Bush School The Downtown School: A Lakeside School The Evergreen School The Jewish Day School of Metro. Seattle The Lake & Park School The Little School The Meridian School The Northwest School The Overlake School The Perkins School The Valley School University Child Development School University Cooperative School University Prep Villa Academy Westside School

Sound Education.

Find the best school for your child.

Puget Sound Independent Schools promotes the value of local independent school education, and works collaboratively to make the admission process more accessible for all prospective families.

Our website features 40+ independent school profiles, application information, and a complete calendar of school open houses. All member schools are accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS).

ATTEND OUR 2018-2019 SCHOOL FAIRS | FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC OCTOBER 10, 2018

OCTOBER 14, 2018

OCTOBER 16, 2018

APRIL 28, 2019

Independent School Fair for People of Color

Eastside Independent School Fair

Seattle Independent School Fair

Independent School Spring Fair

Rainier Comm. Center 6-8 p.m.

Chinook M.S., Bellevue 2-4 p.m.

Northgate Comm. Center 6-8 p.m.

Garfield Comm. Center 2-4 p.m.

SCHOOL PROFILES, FAIR INFORMATION & MORE AT:

www.pugetsoundindependentschools.org parentmap.com/learning

ParentMap Learning 2018 • 37

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS FACT:

There are valuable lessons involved in learning how to use a microscope.

NOW ENROLLING Daily Support Card

901 Lenora Street, Seattle

0918_morningside_academy_1-8h.indd 1

8/16/18 11:53 A

1SRXIWWSVM TVI O XLVSYKL XL KVEHI -R 7IEXXPI 3DFLILF&UHVW RUJ

BALANCED LEARNING® WAY:

Including how to share.

SEE BALANCED LEARNING® IN ACTION. CALL FOR A TOUR TODAY!

Infants – Pre-Kindergarten

Primrose School of West Bellevue 1150 114th Ave. SE | Bellevue, WA 98004 425.315.7305 | PrimroseWestBellevue.com Each Primrose school is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools® and Balanced Learning® are registered trademarks of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2018 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved. See primroseschools.com for ‘fact’ source and curriculum detail.

38 • ParentMap Learning 2018

parentmap.com/learning

SCHOOLS + PRESCHOOLS

Child-centered learning in a warm Jewish environment - all are welcome.

Through education we shape the future.

Classes for families and children from birth through Pre-K.

Early childhood, grade school, and middle school programs inspired by Waldorf education.

Providing developmentally appropriate curriculum to prepare children for kindergarten.

EastsideCommunitySchool.org 425-598-2914

Don’t delayschedule your Field Trip Today!

18_eastside_community_school_1-4.indd 1

For more information, visit www.jrmpreschool.org or contact Shannon Solomon, Early Childhood Education Director, at 425.559.2571 or ssolomon@tdhs-nw.org.

8/16/18 5:25 PM

SAVE OVER

60%

Lincoln South Food Hall Field Trip ProgramJr. Chef’s in the making!

wiggleworkskids.com/programs/field-trips Bellevue + Puyallup parentmap.com/learning LM18_wiggleworks_1-2h.indd 1

10% of all proceeds from your field trip go back to your school!

Be a chef for the day, learn top chef tips and tricks & receive an intro to culinary education.

CONTACT:

kidscook@lincolnsfh.com

ParentMap Learning 2018 • 39 9/5/18 8:58 AM