How we started

In 1975, a small group of parents formed a grassroots organization to establish a private kindergarten, in response to the possible elimination of kindergarten by the Seattle Public School District.  These parents wanted to give their children the best possible preparation for primary school. Many aspects of this preparation were social:

·      the ability to bond with other children

·      to learn to respect the rights and opinions of others

·      to work out differences in a cooperative way

Parents also wanted an environment where children could work at their own speed and keep their curiosity alive and driving the learning process.

Since 1975, the school has grown from a kindergarten to a K-5 elementary school. We are the only private K-5 cooperative school program in King County.

Where we are

In January 2003, through inspiring teamwork and collaborative effort the school community purchased, renovated and moved into our current facility at 5601 University Avenue Northeast.  Our central location enables us to work with numerous community programs in the area, including with the local Food Bank, gardening at the Pea Patch, spending time with seniors at the Hamilton House, participating in the Ravenna Park Streambed Restoration Project and attending live productions and exhibits at the University of Washington's Meany Theatre and Burke Museum.  We are located one block south of grassy Cowen Park, at the North end of University Way, where the kids recess every day.