I was just telling some friends how great our school is. Then I saw a bummer of a review on here, based on a short transition period, so I'm writing this. The short story is - it's a very good school run by professionals. A wonderful environment for kids who are neurodivergent or similar and have struggled in a larger school setting. It is supportive and non-judgmental, and we've found it to be a great balance of a place to learn and grow and a place to be supported and accepted. We were worried that it wouldn't be academically rigorous but found that it exceeded our expectations when our child was ready to learn. They meet all children where they are at every step of the way. Also, they do so many fun educational field trips. Here's the long version if you're interested: Our family started at Academy in 2024. That year, the old school director retired. Yes, there were staff changes. Yes, there was an interim director. Yes, it was a time of change and changes is hard especially when you are emotionally invested. Some families were so attached to the old director they didn't come back. Two years later and we're still very happily there. We found gold. Is it fancy? No. Is it exactly like a larger school? No. In areas where a child needs more support, they have it. The policy of "walk to math/language arts/science" allows them to learn subjects at a level and in a group setting difficult to access in larger private or public schools in a supportive way, whether accelerated or at a slower pace. Curriculum is solid and classroom size is excellent. As to the information concern - no. Many kids are district placements. The oversight and regulation involved in that is significant. No public school would partner with them if they broke any laws about information handling and they have placements from many districts. In May of 2024 they had just interviewed candidates for a new permanent director. I hope people will consider that Spring 2024 was just one rare season in the school's administration and while the other review was from someone that felt upset by how that transition was going, the new school director who was hired at the end of that year is awesome. I think she will be there for years to come. I never post reviews, but I hate that that review might be pushing families away from a truly excellent option for kids. To whoever you were it sounds like you felt like your school family was being ripped apart and you were afraid the whole place would be ruined, which must have been awful. Maybe you lost your job, maybe you pulled your child from the school. Regardless, please know that it is still "the little school with a big heart" and from my perspective as a very aware parent, it's in responsible hands. read more

Academy Schools was a buoy for our family after several years of struggling to stay afloat. The staff are compassionate, patient, and deeply dedicated to providing an individualized education in an environment that allows many students to feel accepted and safe in school for the first time ever. I'll forever be grateful for the tools and community they provided for both my kid and myself. read more

DO YOUR RESEARCH before considering this school. The past several months of 2024 have been tumultuous, with staff leaving like rats off a sinking ship. Current interim head of school is awful, instilling fear to keep kids enrolled. New contracts for 2024-25 include questionable access to kids medical information which is surely a HIPPA violation. New web site doesn't even include public board of directors information or anything. Used to be a great school and has gone steeply downhill. Don't sign anything or enroll a challenged kid here without fully vetting what is really going on there right now. read more

If you have a kid that just doesn't quite fit the public school mold and would really benefit from having a teacher that is willing to meet them where they're at - you should really take a look at Academy Schools. My son is 9, and was diagnosed with severe ADHD two years ago. Don't make an assumption here, he is not a brat. his adhd manifests in a serious struggle to process information, stay on task, hold still and complete darn near anything. If he wasn't such a smart kid, he'd be in serious trouble. He was in second grade at an excellent Highline public elementary school and he hated it. They did all they could and I'm so grateful for how hard they tried. Second grade is supposed to be fun. His teacher, a lovely human, had 24 kids and a student teacher. My son can barely hold still, has huge emotions, and every educator we talked to was recommending he be medicated, which is something I don't believe is a requirement for him if he is in the right environment. This topic hasn't come up one time at Academy Schools. He used to cry multiple days a week because he didn't want to go to school. He was constantly in trouble or not meeting expectations in behavior. I get it, he's my kid, I know how difficult he can be, but, he's also a very typical boy and his inner light was dimming. I was pretty settled on sending him to West Seattle Montessori but because of social distancing, they capped out his grade and I'm so grateful they did. His teacher, Ms Arntzen, is the most patient, kind, loving teacher, who creates boundaries, that I ever could have imagined for him. His teacher next year, is such a fun lady and already knows Cole enough to say hi to me when I come and go. I feel like these teachers were all versions of my son once upon a time and their mission is to make school a great place for these kiddos. I feel like it's just a bunch of wonderfully wacky kids that found a home. I love how small it is and how I know most of the teachers six months in. Mr McIntyre is a total kid whisperer. I have at least ten stories of almost crying because I could see how much they care and the ways they've worked with my kiddo. In my search, I toured a few private schools and honestly went to Academy just to check a box and after ten minutes with the Head of School/Director, I knew she was taking that school somewhere and clearly understood their direction. I was certain my son wouldn't get lost. Well, more than half way through the school year, thankfully, I was right. My son is like a different kid. He's so happy, he loves going to school. His teacher works hard to "get" her students and teach them in a way that yields the results she needs instead of trying to get them all the confirm to just one way. They do a great job setting boundaries and expectations - my son is thriving! Thank you Academy Schools for taking such good care of my little dude, he will be forever impacted by this school and I'm pretty sure he will graduate from there. read more

Academy Schools maintains a very small class size and a very low student-teacher ratio, so I know my student is getting the extra attention she needs. The staff care deeply about my kiddo's learning experience and are committed to my student's long-term success, not just passing her along to the next grade. We are so grateful we found this school, and I couldn't recommend it more highly for any student! read more

Academy Schools has been a lifesaver for my son and our family. He has attended for 7 years and has gone from a disregulated, eloping, upset child who couldn't be bribed to complete work with the best of 'rewards' to a calm, empathetic, happy young man who loves learning and spending time with his friends. He loves going to school because he knows he will learn something interesting and important! The culture is calm, supportive and caring and the staff are amazing. From asking my doc to prescribe mood-altering drugs to my 9yo to choosing a college. This is the difference Academy Schools made in our lives. read more

Academy Schools is everything that a school should be. Small classes, guided by excellent teachers, help children to develop a sense of wonder about the world around them. Children who attend the school become life long learners who strive to find their own gifts, encouraged by teachers who nurture self discovery and excellence. There are no cookie cutter lessons in this hands on environment, free from judgement and bullying. My child loves Academy Schools read more

This is a wonderful school. Our family is so happy to have found a place where our children can grow and thrive! The small class sizes allow our children to get excellent instruction and to be seen as true individuals. The kids look forward to school each day and have met great friends! The staff is extremely caring and are willing to do whatever it takes to help our children reach their full potential. I see teachers going above and beyond each and every day! read more