Rachel Carson is truly a community. There are caring, first-rate teachers who make it their mission to see the kids succeed. Parents are heavily involved through volunteering, which creates a fantastic environment. The most important tenet of their mission is to teach kindness--something these children will take with them wherever they go. I have never heard of forced snacking,never mind on the floor--There is no Ms. Davis at the school now. read more

In 2017 Rachel Carson ranked better than 95.2% of all elementary schools in WA (school digger website) and are highly ranked in the state on other lists as well. I am almost reticent to share how fantastic this school is because I selfishly want to keep numbers down But, I feel like I need to write a review since the last review was written two years ago, about a teacher who is gone, based entirely on food (as opposed to academics, parent involvement, great staff etc). I cannot say enough good things about Carson. Academics are terrific and in particular our 4/5th grade teachers do a superior job of preparing kids for middle school. The staff is upbeat and nurturing, the actual facility itself is the most recently built in town, our options for after school programs are varied and great and we have a tremendous number of parents willing to volunteer. We are also one of only a couple elementary schools in town that participate in a several day and night outdoor education trip for 5th graders. I'm not sure a lot of kids get to dissect squid, canoe, use a climbing wall, take nature walks and enjoy nighttime bonfires as part of their elementary school education! I've put three children through Carson and wholeheartedly endorse it. And I have never had snack issues. read more

Very Bizarre Facts about this school. Our 1st grade teacher (ms. Davis) in the Rachel Carson Elementary school forcing kids to eat their snack - food/drinking water only seating on the floor and by hands only. The same rule applies to the water bottle. Kids only allowed drinking their water on the floor. We have a prescription and recommendation from the Doctor for our child (for medical reason) so he can keep his non-spilled plastic water bottle on his table and drink while he is in school to keep him hydrated. But our teacher keeps ignoring the doctors request and our emails. It's becoming a medical issue. Those rules that requires that children eat with their hands from the floor is unsanitary; it may speed up the spread of massive disease, like with the current gastroenteritis outbreak that several families in our class have reported. During gastroenteritis epidemic "eating/drinking by hand on the floor only" rule was enforced. Our kids are walking on the street, where is dirt, cars driving, pollutions, dogs/cats doing their business, kids going to the bathroom in the school and then return to the classroom, touching floor by the hands and eating/drinking from the floor... Disgusting... Disallowing to use of utensils excludes some real healthy food for kids to eat for snacks that we are not able to give him (like non fat Greek yogurt, or cottage cheese, cut fruits etc). As a result kids are eating chips, crackers etc. Teacher explain to our child that kids spilled water sometimes and this is why they are forcing kids to eat from the floor. We understand their point that it may cause inconvenience and they trying to make their job easier, but we also think that health of our children is more important than inconvenience. read more

Rachel Carson Elementary has been an excellent elementary school with outstanding teachers and staff. I recommend this school without any reservations. read more