No use keeping it a secret. I was on the faculty at Bellevue Christian for many years, and my…read morechildren all attended BCS from pre-school through 12th grade. I am retired now, but I will be a BCS booster for life. Now that I've disclosed where I'm coming from, I hope you will find that the information I give you is still useful and reliable. Bellevue Christian breaks a lot of stereotypes. I'd like to talk about four of those stereotypes, beginning with the one that private Christian schools are elitist. The school's philosophical bent towards respecting students as unique individuals of great worth favors a more open admission policy than some private schools have. BCS does not screen students for academic ability, in fact the school takes some students in its Special Academic Services program that have needs that cannot be met in public schools. Bellevue Christian prepares students well without being a prep school or cherry picking students. Standardized test scores are not released to newspapers, but that policy has everything to do with educational philosophy, and nothing to do with how the school's scores match up with those of other schools. Interested families can request both test information and an explanation of why the school doesn't use test scores for recruitment purposes. A second stereotype is that private schools are academically superior to public schools. Academic excellence is a complicated issue. BCS students probably win more than their share of awards, and some go on to the most exclusive universities, but a school should not be judged by how its best students do. Schools should be democratic institutions. For young people whose attendance is mandatory, they should be able to depend on a school doing its best for them whether or not they are academically gifted. BCS achieves academic excellence in a way that compared to other schools is more philosophically defensible. Excellence comes from people working together rather than competing against each other, and excellence is achieved and valued in all school programs. Excellence in the classroom is matched by excellence in the music department, the athletic department, the drama department, the art department, and in student government. BCS staff members care deeply about their school and about the students and their families. The same can be said about the parent body, but the bottom line is that the students themselves are involved in the programs and are vested in each other and in what they can achieve together. The third stereotype is that Christian Schools have "good discipline," i. e., lots of rules that are rigorously enforced. In all honesty, BCS teachers vary in the amount of control they exert over their students. Where there is more agreement is in a general philosophy that relationships are more important than rules. This is not a rationale for accepting poor behavior, in fact it is a call for everyone to live far above the minimum standards that the rules set. Most of the students at BCS "get it" sooner or later. Student-teacher relationships are strong. Students learn to be responsible when given trust. Lifetime friendships are common. Finally, the general status-definers like good looks, athletic ability, clothes and wealth are noticeably less in play at BCS. A fourth stereotype is that Christian schools indoctrinate students and shelter them from "the real world." There are some basic beliefs BCS teachers hold in common, but more often than not, issues that are discussed in our broader communities and in our nation are treated as opportunities for students to sharpen their thinking, discover their own personal values, and relate to those who may have very different perspectives. Students are challenged to be leaders as thinkers and doers, rather than buying into someone else's idea of what it looks like to be "successful." Discussions are much more common than lectures. Bellevue Christian is different from any other school I am acquainted with. It has a rich philosophical heritage. (Pick up "Second Sight" by Lowell Hagan at the BCS bookstore.) If you're "shopping" for a school, don't buy into the stereotypes, and don't make your decision by simply crunching numbers like dollars and test scores. You could miss out on a school experience that will enrich your entire family.

As someone who has attended this school, I would not recommend it whatsoever. The communication at…read morethis school was really bad, many people got in trouble for the most dumbest things, all because they never explained what the rules were at that school. They were also very protective when it came to the students and their social media outside of school. In their guidebook, it stated that if a student posts anything that doesn't represent the Spiritual culture, then the student will earn either detention or suspension. Very not necessary... The atmosphere of the other students there is also very toxic. There was bullying happening, inappropriate photos of women being spread, and lots of people talking badly about one another. And the staff or principal did nothing to help or fix it. I would not recommend this school at all.

Amazing school and community! My family was about to move back to Los Angeles and have our kids…read morestart Kindergarten and Preschool at our alma mater Chandler School but after spending some time in the Pacific Northwest we were leaning more towards staying up north. We had to make some serious choices regarding work, school, family, and friends. While researching schools in the area, my wife gave me the assignment of either finding a school that was at least similar to Chandler and if I could not find one then we were going to move back to LA. So after weeks of touring schools all over Seattle and Bellevue, I finally walked onto St. Thomas School's campus and knew almost immediately that this was the school for us. From the school logo (acorn) to the uniforms (forest green and khaki), it was already visually looking similar to Chandler, which has the same uniform colors and a shamrock logo. I'll spare you all the details of what the school is all about (check their website - it's all true!), but by the time I finished the tour I knew walking back to my car that this was it. St. Thomas School's focus on Character, Curriculum, and Community is spot on in parallel with Chandler's core values. Today, 3 years after being accepted to the school, I can confidently and without hesitation say that our already high expectations have not only been met but in many instances have been exceeded! Tour the school as soon as possible. You will witness yourself the greatness of what is St. Thomas School. Expensive as hell, but worth every penny...I promise. There are also programs to help those who may not have the capacity to fund this type of education so don't let the price tag scare you. Amazing new changes coming this Fall that are literally being built as I write this review including a brand new Athletics & Performing Arts Center along with a brand new Center for Leadership & Innovation. So much good...only getting better.

As a two-mom family with three young children at St. Thomas School, we have had an overwhelmingly…read morepositive experience. The teaching faculty at STS lead with empathy, nurture leadership skills, and excel in fostering social-emotional development--all while maintaining strong academic standards. The parent community is warm, engaged, and contributes greatly to the close-knit feel of the school. Since joining in 2021, we've consistently felt supported, welcomed, and truly valued.

Sometimes I see online reviews for an item that someone just purchased, and has only experienced…read morefor 5 minutes, and I question how helpful that review really is. "I just got this roomba 2 hours ago and it is the BEST!" This is not one of those reviews. I think it was almost 12 years ago, my daughter started at The Little School in 1st grade. She was a sensitive, talkative, curious young girl. She enjoyed art projects, and writing stories. She struggled a bit socially, sometimes feeling more at home with her thoughts and the trees than engaging in play. At the Little School the teachers there got to know her well, understanding her as a learner, and identifying her strengths and weaknesses. Her first teacher identified that while she may rarely be the first one to answer a question lobbed out to the group, he found that she was often the one taking the time to seek the deeper understanding. We loved that The Little School takes the time to recognize that attribute and celebrate it for what it is instead of penalizing her for not always being the first. While at The Little School until she outgrew after her 5th grade year, she practiced her social skills, made friends, and was supported by the educators there in learning communication skills and conflict resolution skills to navigate the inevitable challenges that accompany navigating school. After outgrowing she went on to a another local private school, and we were really pleased how prepared she was for Middle and High School there. Not only had she learned the important academic skills, but she also quickly made herself known in her classes because The Little School taught her that she has valuable ideas to share, and that her educators are expected to be her partners in her education. She was able to appropriately speak up in class, ask questions, and contribute to conversations. We believe that her formative years at TLS were vital to developing that confidence. She graduated high school recently near the top of her class and is now at a UC school as a freshman. In case you are thinking that The Little School is only a good fit for loquacious, nature-loving girls, let me tell you about my son. He started at The Little School about 11 years ago in kindergarten. He was twitchy and restless, kind and caring, and loved playing pretend games with building toys. He had a super-quick mind, and could memorize facts and trivia easily. While at The Little School, until he outgrew after 5th grade, we love that they challenged him in the areas where he needed improvement, without getting overly distracted by his twitchiness. They made accommodations for his physical energy, recognizing that even though his eyes were darting around, he was listening carefully, could remember virtually everything said during the lesson, and could immediately apply it. They challenged him in his writing. Pushing him to get better at punctuation and grammar, and flesh out his ideas further. He did not always like it, but we watched as they encouraged him to try harder and expand on his writing. This summer he spent two-weeks at a science camp hosted on a university campus, learning about the microbiology of cancer, and in the fall he will start running-start at Bellevue College as a high school junior. He is looking forward to the challenge and the variety of classes that will be available to him. He is FAR less twitchy, gets along well with others, and remains friends to this day with people he met at TLS. In case you are thinking that The Little School is only a good fit for sensitive, talkative, curious little girls, and twitchy, clever, gentle young boys, let me tell you about my other son (don't worry, this is the last one). He started at The Little School about 7 years ago in kindergarten. He was a typical little kid, played really well with others, loved playing competitive games outside, but also played imaginative games with stuffed "lovies" inside with boys and girls. As he grew and matured, the TLS educators, just like with my other two kids, learned about his strengths and weaknesses and encouraged him along the way. He had a severe lisp when younger, but the lovely thing about TLS is that they walk their talk when it comes to belonging, kindness, and community. I don't ever recall him coming home sad or upset because someone teased him about the way he talked. He was a confident, charismatic social leader by the time he outgrew at the end of 5th grade. Their outdoor education/physical education program there nursed his athletic abilities and as a 5th grader he was helping the TLS mountain beavers win ultimate frisbee games in the local league, as well as teaching his classmates about other sports which he played outside of school. He is now an 8th grader at our local public middle school, where he is in advanced math, loves social studies, and was invited into their selective programs for young mentors and leaders.

As a family, we had a terrible experience with this school. I will not give details on this…read moreplatform. You can reach me if you have questions. dilanurkomar@gmail.com

We've had a wonderful experience at this school with our 2-year-old in the toddler program. The…read moreschool's dedication to the Montessori philosophy is evident in every aspect, allowing our child to develop independence, confidence, and a love for learning. The staff here is amazing! There's hardly any turnover, which provides a stable and consistent environment for the children. Plus, the abundance of supporting staff ensures that each child gets plenty of 1:1 attention. The program director is also fantastic--she's incredibly on top of things and always approachable for any questions or concerns. The classrooms are always kept clean, and it shows. Our child doesn't fall sick nearly as often compared to our friend's kids who go to other schools. This has been a huge relief. Communication at the school is excellent. We appreciate the verbal handoff we get during pickups, and the e-platform (Transparent Classroom) they use is a great tool for keeping us updated with hour-by-hour insights into our child's day. School premises feels very safe and secure by design. They have an always locked outer gate, and outsiders including parents have to be let in by the staff. Each classroom then has their own doors and separated from classrooms. The playground is also nicely secured by a strong fence. Lastly, we love the extra sessions they offer for parents. These are a great opportunity to meet other families and learn about important topics related to raising a child.

I was very unhappy with the way this school handled my son's behaviors. They did not have enough…read morestaff to manage the children and they immediately chose to reduce my son's hours when we had paid the tuition in full as a full time student. We ultimately chose to leave the school midyear and he was very successful at his next school. They also refused to give us the proper credit back for the tuition we paid. Do not recommend BMS at all

Three points is a wonderful, well rounded school. The level of parent involved far surpasses any…read moreother school I have been involved in. The community built at this school is truly special. Kids feel loved and seen because the staff truly cares. The teachers are incredible, caring, purpose driven individuals trained to teacher secular curriculum with a biblical worldview. Rather than telling the kids what to think the school encourages critical thinking and supports each student in their individual spiritual journey. Focus is on the whole student, and helping them to discover who God created them to be rather than trying to fit each student into the perfect mold. Academics are very strong and individualized but each students' natural talents are taken into consideration for growth of the "whole person". The school feels very safe with strong relationships with local Police. Safely policies have been used by other small schools as a gold standard. Extracurriculars are fun and varied. 5/5!

Bellevue Christian School has been a pivotal part of our family's success and happiness. Our…read moreyoungest has been at the Three Points Elementary campus for several years and absolutely loves it. The teachers and administrators watch each child to learn about their particular gifts and growth areas, and tune their teaching and classroom opportunities to best serve each child. The faculty and staff love the children and are strong examples of what the best of private Christian education can bring. Through our older kids, we've also been able to experience the other BCS campus in Woodinville and the junior high and high school campus in Clyde Hill. All are fantastic schools that produce well-educated, well-rounded kids that are prepared for life.

Words can't even begin to express by gratitude to the faculty and staff of Eastside Prep. My…read moredaughter began in 7th grade and now is a senior. My son started in 6th grade and now is a freshman. I am truly convinced that both of my kids are excelling in school and in life because of the enriching environment that this school has provided. The kids at this school are learning from experience. They are truly interested in the subjects they are being taught. I can tell from the highly intelligent debates that occur around our dinner table, that the education that they are receiving is engaging and inspiring. The teachers and staff truly KNOW who your child is, what their interests are, and what their strengths are. Each child is accepted and encouraged.

My child loves this school, she has been here for two years now and she has never been to a better…read moreschool. When I pick her up from school she says that she had the best time. She loves all of her teachers and I love them as well. I think this school is great for her and I am sure the same applies to your child. I would definitely recommend this school to the other parents out there.

After a year at KCS, I can honestly say I can't imagine my daughter going anywhere else. Picking a…read moreday care or school was one of the harder things I've had to do as a parent (so far). As a working parent, there's so much guilt about not spending "that" time with your child that you want to ensure they're given the attention and love you would have provided. I am impressed with the quality of the teachers in the school (specifically in the infant and toddler room), the genuine care and love they have for kids, and the well rounded curriculum, even at the toddler age. There isn't a day my daughter doesn't come home with a new set of words, or experiences and I love that they understand the capabilities of each child and are invested in helping each of them learn at their own pace.

My 5 and 3 year old both go to KCS.  KCS is like a second home.  Everyone is so warm, welcoming,…read morecaring, and genuinely love kids.  Many of the faces I see there were there when my eldest first started 4 years ago.  If I start naming names, it would be a huge list because everyone I have encountered at KCS have been amazing.  When we walk in the hallway even teachers from other classes tend to know my kids names and give us a warm welcome as we pass by.  I am always in such awe of the curriculum, and way they are always changing the layouts in the classrooms with exciting ways to play and bring alive learning experiences.  Their in house kitchen makes such delicious homemade food for the kids that I wish I could eat there as well! They have such an impressive array of outdoor/playground areas for the kids to enjoy in rain or shine. I could not imagine a more well run daycare!  They really know what they are doing!!! They were great at keeping up with latest Covid recommendations from the state for daycares and communicating the updates to everyone as clearly as possible. My friends with kids elsewhere would ask me about KCS Covid guidelines, and were always so impressed with how well KCS managed the craziness of the past couple years. I am sad that my eldest will be leaving KCS, but happy my youngest has another couple years.  Today was the last day of the school year, and my kids' teachers gave such touching cards and gifts to my kids for them to remember the year.  Thank you to everyone at KCS!  One of the best choices I ever made was deciding to send my kids here!

Our son has been here 2 years. Great staff and our son made…read moresome great friends and enjoys the teachers and playing here.

My kid started at 3 at this place and WOW this place is amazing!…read moreThis place provides the perfect setting for kids to develop and grow! On top of that we REALLY LOVE the TEACHERS! YES every single one! They love the kids and treat them with love!. Our kid have developed so much from this place. It was the best decision that we have made for our kid! We are really thankful to all the teachers that helped our kid grow and we are going to miss this place alot! Highly recommend this place!