The Meridian School

1.0 mi

My younger sister and I used to go to BF Day, and our baby sister goes there now, and let me tell…read moreyou, that is dang good school. It's a small-ish school (as most elementary schools are) in Fremont, near the Woodland Park Zoo. BF Day is rather diverse in all meanings of the word, and does a good job of teaching kids that everyone is important and loved. The parents are generally lovely, as are the teachers, though many of my favorite staff members have retired. It can be a bit of a hippy school, but that is far from a negative, it just encourages kids to explore their creative sides and embrace themselves. I haven't heard a single negative thing about BF Day, though I do know that due to some zoning issues, a lot of kids have lost their transportation, which is a majorly sucky, but I don't believe that the school is at fault there. tl;dr BF Day is pretty much the best and everyone who went there loved it

NOT CLOSED, people! Not at all! When I moved my boys and me…read morenorthward from Portland to Seattle, I had researched the "cluster" school system (never was a name more appropriate for a system or situation), though my research was clearly insufficient. Because I made certain that I moved into what I thought would be the perfect cluster for my kids' schooling needs and profile...I just failed to realize that would make no difference whatsoever to where they went to school. My boys are half hispanic, and I wanted very much to continue with the Spanish language education I only sporadically inflict on them at home. So I moved into the Laurelhurst-ish "cluster." What Seattle did not advertise is that its school zoning situation is not just a cluster, but the mother of all godforsaken clusters. They found no availability in any ONE school for both my boys. That's because clusters at the time were only "suggestions" of where kids could attend schools. Suggestions that were largely completely ignored, and no matter where you lived in Seattle, your kid could be bussed into nearly any zone at all. So you can basically move your family onto a tent settlement ATOP a particular school, and not be allowed to enroll in it until the 300-child wait list of kids from a school 15 miles away takes their priority. W, as the kids say, TF. So the last years have been a constant cluster indeed, with my boys in two different schools and and in and out of several. Having tried or toured quite a few schools in the area now, I can say, this one is my favorite elementary school in Seattle so far. My son has a wonderful teacher, Miss Jackson (and yes, it is so punishingly hard not to say, or at least think, "If you're nasty!" every time I say her name) who despite being forced, as all teachers are, to teach to a strict test curriculum imposed by the lowest-common-denominator-encouraging "No Child Left Behind" legislation, is still highly dynamic, wildly flexible, and very encouraging of creativity in all its manifestations. I absolutely love her, and I love the diversity of the students and the parents--a graceful blend of the privileged and the struggling, chaotic and the orderly, the uber-hippies and the uber-hipsters who all somehow manage to be very empathic and very likable. It also sits at just the right notch on the spectrum of academic rigor. We tried John Stanford International with Nico, and he called them "The Von Trapp Family Singers." Whistles to encourage hallway lineups? No talking in the corridors? Boys' and Girls' lines for 5th graders? No dark sarcasm? In the CLASSROOM?! Yikes. Plus every mom I met there without a single exception kind of gave me the impression that the only hard decision she has to make in any three-week period is whether to give her cook, nanny and housekeeper massages or Lush bars as holiday gifts. I'm extremely grateful for this school and for how happy Maximo is to attend it. Teaching excellence here is clearly valued, as is parental involvement. If you're in the area AND in the market for an elementary school, stop in and say hi. They're great people.

St Benedict School

4.9

(12 reviews)

0.3 mi

My child is thriving academically and socially at this amazing school. Our family love being part…read moreof the community. We highly recommend this school.

We have been happily attending this school for the last 2.5 years. We're a small warm school with a…read morefantastic community. Though it is a Catholic school, most kids are not Catholic. All are welcome.

St. Benedict School

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#seattle

University Cooperative School

(12 reviews)

0.9 mi

Coming back to stay I still love this school! Our family has been at University Cooperative School…read morefor 10yrs - my 15yr old attended K-5th grade, and I currently have a 4th grader and my youngest is in PreK. We are incredibly grateful for this school, the holistic education it's provided our children and the community that has been the anchor for our family life. The teachers are excited about what they teach, care deeply for the students. With enthusiasm for their subjects and the freedom and support they need to follow that enthusiasm they make engaging, responsive, project based learning the norm all through the program. The kids stay excited about learning, comfortable asking questions and learn to ask for what they need as a learner. Our modern lives are designed in a way that is isolating and can wearus down with the load of demands of parenting- but the model of cooperative school (that's very flexible/understands we work too!) means that you can build real relationships and community in a society where that can be incredibly hard. At U co-op our children end up with so many loving adults who know and care for them - I can't overstate how valuable that is. Especially when life brings rough seasons or crisis. We know each other's kids and support each other through this parenting journey. The nurturing, adventurous environment helps kids be comfortable and confident in themselves -quirks and struggles included. My kids love going to school and I love the joyful childhood it has given them.

We have loved this place…read more We've been with U Co-op for the last two years, with almost a year and a half of that during the pandemic. I can't express how incredible the school has been. The most extraordinarily compassionate teachers and staff, and a parent community that has been supportive, resourceful, kind and caring. There is a warmth to the building (which we are thankfully back in - and masked) that we fell in love with from the first tour. It didn't feel cold or modern; it felt like creativity and childhood. There are nooks for reading, spaces for found art, paintings up everywhere. The teachers allow the children to follow their curiosity and even adjust the lessons to be relevant to the things that interest them. The kids are learning just as much as peers at other schools, but in a way that focuses on their self development and self esteem. This school has been a great find and has helped carry us through this difficult stretch.

University Child Development School

(2 reviews)

0.6 mi

You will wish you went to elementary school here. Check it…read moreout!

This is a wonderful school with an incredible faculty. They acknowledge and respect the many…read morevarious learning styles and personalities represented within the walls of the school. My son receives the amount of attention and support that he needs to excel as a student academically and socially.

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Bethany Bear's Preschool

(1 review)

0.1 mi

This is by far the most amazing environment for children. I was told by many neighbors that this…read morepreschool is phenomenal. My son is in his second year here and he loves it! The curriculum, special events, parent/teacher conferences, etc... All leave you wishing they had kindergarten classes as well. All ten of the parents in my son's class wish our kids could go here forever. Take a tour and I promise you'll fall in love as we have!

From the owner: We are a Christian Preschool located in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle. Children attend…read moreeither 3 or 4 hours a day. We are open Monday thru Friday, 9:30 to 1:30.

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Valentine's Day

Frantz H. Coe Elementary School

3.0

(1 review)

2.3 mi

Coe School is named after Frantz Coe (1856-1904). The school was designed by James Stephen and…read morebuilt in 1907. I attended Coe School in 4th to 6th grade. This is about Mrs. Jacobson, one of my teachers. For one of our exams we were required to name all of the elements that we knew, such as iron, copper, and calcium. I wrote down many elements including some elements that Mrs. Jacobson never heard of. Mrs. Jacobson marked me down because I wrote down these elements. Bad, bad, bad, Mrs. Jacobson. This is about Mrs. Scholl. For some of our classes she just read from a story book to us. Once Mrs. Scholl told us that when receiving mail or memos her name was sometimes written as "Mrs. School." I enjoyed making my term paper on South America, which included real paper money from a couple of countries. Once Mrs. Scholl was telling us about Brazil nuts and she told the class that they were sometimes called, "Nigger toes." Bad, bad, bad, Mrs. Scholl. We had an African-American boy in our class who lived in a nearby orphanage. When Mrs. Scholl said "Nigger toes," she commented that the boy was out for that day. Mr.Wingert was one of the teachers. Once, we had to watch a film on the shrimp industry. I was bored with the film, so I sucked on my hand and it was covered with saliva. In the middle of the movie, I had to go on a pre-arranged appointment to see my mother and on the way out, Mr.Wingert unexpectedly extended his hand to shake hands. So I shook hands and he got a handful of saliva. Mr.Wingert also read stories to us, including Huckleberry Finn. I was shocked when he read the "N-word" to us. We were required to go on bathroom breaks which involved marching down the steps to the basement. Sometimes I skipped steps, taking a long step to descend down two steps at once. I got in trouble for this. For punishment I was required to go up and down a flight of steps ten times. I did not see any sense in this because this type of punishment increases risk for accidental tumbling down the steps and breaking bones. For art class Mrs.Tapp gave me a B. I was the best artist in the class, and perhaps the best artist in all of Coe School. At that time I was exceptionally skilled at drawing trees, apples, buildings, monsters, and so on. I was puzzled when Mrs.Tapp gave me a B. Bad, bad, bad, Mrs.Tapp. Once during recess I paused to spit down the stairwell and watch my spit fall 50 feet down. Mrs.Tapp saw me do this and scolded me by saying "A son of a doctor is not expected to do things like that!!!" The worse thing was Mr.Bardal the principal of the school. Mr.Bardal roamed the hallways and the schoolyard carrying a large wooden paddle for spanking his students. The paddle had four holes drilled on the end to provide for a more painful whack (the holes prevented the air from cushioning the spanks). Once during volley ball I called to Mary Butler because she was holding on to the ball and not serving it. I exclaimed, "Mary But . . ." I stopped half-way in saying her last name because just as I was saying "Butler" she served the ball. But Mary Butler who was a fat girl and had a big butt thought that I was making fun of her big butt. She complained to Mr.Bardal and I got a spanking. Fortunately, on that day I was wearing thick woolen pants which cushioned the blows. In retrospect I now realize that I am a victim of assault and battery and slander. Mary Butler's behavior could reasonably be characterized as slander which is a tort as well as a crime. Mr.Bardal's behavior could reasonably be characterized as assault and battery. We also had dance class in the gym. Linda Mueller squeezed my hand so hard that it hurt my hand. When Linda squeezed my hand the flesh of my hand was compressed over the metal of my Smokey the Bear ring which caused extra pain. But I did not mind because Linda was a foxy girl. Brenda Cole and Diana Plank were best friends and they were good at drawing horses. At recess outside they played horsey. Once Brenda Cole made fun of my last name by calling me "Toady-Brody." But I did not mind. Once I called her "Bent-Butt" instead of Brenda. The best teacher was Mrs.Bradley who taught chorus. She had us all perform Christmas songs at a local television station. Bobby Gruber's mother drove me and Bobby to the TV station. A week later my family watched us on television. What a thrill that was. I noticed that I flexed my cheek once between songs out of nervousness. We also had air raid drills in case of nuclear attack and were required to duck under our desks and cover our head and neck. In retrospect I am not sure how that could have protected us from radiation burns and falling bricks. The schoolyard has nice tetherball courts, and a big dirt field, for playing racing games. Coe School has a great safety patrol program and I enjoyed wearing the uniform (white shoulder strap) and holding up the red crossing flag. Coe School has a cafeteria, but at the time I never cared for the stewed tomatoes.

Kapka Cooperative School - K 5

4.9

(15 reviews)

1.0 mi

Our kids have been at Kapka for close to 4 years. We're incredibly grateful for having discovered…read morethis elementary school when we were looking. Our two kids and their friends continuously impress us by how comfortable they are in various social situation, how eloquent they are in diffusing tensions and explaining what is on their mind.- whether they're in the play yard or in situations at home, and how curious and interested about the world they are and how resourceful they can be to entertain themselves and the people around them. Kapka has nailed social-emotional learning. If you're looking for a fantastic school for your K-5 child, and you'd love to be part of a warm, diverse, interesting and engaged community, Kapka will be school for you and your child.

We chose Kapka for its small class sizes and playful learning styles, but soon discovered the…read moredozens of reasons why Kapka is a magical place to be a kid. At Kapka, every child is known, and their uniqueness celebrated. We see our child's confidence growing weekly and her enjoyment of school has skyrocketed. As a parent volunteer, spending time with the kids and teachers is a highlight in my week. I marvel at the staff and teachers' ability to connect with the students, I'm inspired by their patience and I'm grateful for their presence in my child's life.

Our teacher to student ration is 8:1, allowing a lot of individualized attention.

Weekly "KapKa Connects" where the whole school gathers for songs and activities

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We are outdoors a lot! Kindergarten is a play-based program with nearly half the day outside. All other grades get 1-2hrs everyday.

Pacific Crest School

3.7

1.6 mi

It is important for families to understand that if you enroll your child at Pacific Crest, you are…read moresigning a contract obligating you to pay the full year of tuition and forfeit your deposit regardless of how the school handles communication or concerns prior to enrollment. I believe it is important for prospective families to have a clear understanding of what they may encounter before making such a significant financial and emotional commitment for their child. We first attended an information session in 2025 and later met with the school with the intention of enrolling our four-year-old daughter for January 2026. During the admissions process, the director was attentive, responsive, and reassuring , effectively an excellent sales lady. We were repeatedly told that the school valued communication, community, and a child-centered approach, which strongly influenced our decision to enroll. Unfortunately, once we signed the contract in August and paid tuition, the level of communication changed dramatically. In November, I reached out to the school seeking guidance regarding our daughter's upcoming January start date, including next steps, meeting her teacher, and understanding what supplies or preparations were needed. I received no response. After following up a second time and again receiving no response, we finally heard back nearly three weeks and three emails later with a generic reply stating that the classroom teacher would contact us within two days with additional information. Unfortunately, that follow-up never came. By this point, we were becoming increasingly frustrated by the ongoing lack of communication and professionalism. Over winter break, the continued absence of communication led us to seriously reconsider whether this was the right environment for our daughter. It became difficult to feel confident placing our child in a school that struggled to provide even basic communication and follow-through during the enrollment process, especially after emphasizing those values so heavily during admissions. We eventually met with the director the same week our daughter was supposed to begin attending. She apologized for the communication issues and at that point, the alternative presented to us was a meeting with the financial department regarding our contractual financial obligations to the school. Wanting to remain open-minded and hopeful that the experience itself might ultimately be different than the enrollment process had been, we decided to move forward with a classroom observation before making a final decision. We decided to complete a classroom observation so we could better understand the environment and meet the teacher, whom we still had not heard from directly prior to our daughter's anticipated start date. Although the observation was brief, several aspects of the classroom gave us pause. Most concerning was the aloofness and emotional coldness the primary teacher exhibited toward the children. She appeared disengaged and minimally interactive with the students throughout our visit. More broadly, the classroom atmosphere itself felt unexpectedly disconnected. There seemed to be very little sense of joy, warmth, friendship, or community among the children -- something I would have expected to see naturally develop among four- and five-year-olds who had reportedly spent anywhere from six months to over a year together. As a parent, it was difficult not to notice how emotionally disconnected the environment felt overall. Frankly, the children did not appear especially happy, engaged, or socially connected. After the observation, we briefly met with the teacher. The director was not present at the school that day and was unavailable to speak with us. What ultimately solidified our decision not to move forward was the teacher's statement that she generally does not communicate with parents outside of scheduled conferences, though she could "make an exception" if necessary. As parents preparing for our daughter's first school experience, we did not feel it was unreasonable to hope for occasional communication regarding how she was adjusting socially and emotionally. Following the visit, we sent three follow-up emails to the director requesting communication regarding our concerns and asking whether our deposit could be refunded. We never received a response. Regardless of contractual policies, the continued lack of follow-through, responsiveness, and professionalism throughout this process was deeply disappointing and ultimately very upsetting for our family. On a positive note, our daughter is now thriving at a neighborhood preschool with warm, engaged teachers and a classroom culture filled with genuine connection among the children. The experience has only highlighted for us the stark contrast between the sense of warmth and community we now see daily and the emotional coldness and disconnection we witnessed during our experience at Pacific Crest

We believed Pacific Crest would be a strong fit for our daughter because of her independence,…read morecreativity, and love of learning. During the admissions process, the director presented the school as warm, welcoming, communicative, and child-centered. Unfortunately, our experience was the opposite. The communication from the school became extremely poor once we enrolled. After observing the primary classroom and developing serious concerns about the emotional environment, we reached out multiple times to discuss what we had witnessed. Despite several emails, the director and primary teacher never responded. I ultimately had to go to the school in person to address our concerns. During our 45-minute classroom observation, we saw multiple troubling interactions. One young boy sat isolated in a chair by himself for the entire observation without engagement, support, or invitation from the teacher to join activities. Another child arrived late and was completely ignored by the teacher -- no greeting, acknowledgment, or warmth. The overall classroom atmosphere felt emotionally cold, separated, and institutional rather than nurturing or interactive for primary school-age children experiencing their first school environment. When I raised these concerns in person, the director dismissed them and suggested that ignoring the child who arrived late may have been part of a "behavioral plan." We found that explanation deeply concerning and inappropriate for young children. What was most disappointing was not only the classroom environment itself, but how our family was treated afterward. Our concerns were ignored, communication was nonexistent, and the school refused to return our deposit despite the circumstances. I genuinely worry about the emotional impact this environment may have on children and whether prospective families are receiving an accurate picture of the school experience before enrolling.

Middle School Working at the Farm.

Primary work period.

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Rob!

Seattle Learning Center

4.6

(34 reviews)

2.1 mi

Our experience with Seattle Learning Center has been extremely positive. From the very beginning,…read morethe staff made our family feel welcome and supported. The teachers are caring, patient, and genuinely invested in each child's growth and well-being. One of the things we appreciate most is the balance between education and play. The daily activities are thoughtfully planned and help children build important social, emotional, and academic skills. Communication with families has also been excellent. Staff members regularly share updates about daily activities, progress, and any important information, which helps parents feel connected and reassured. SLC has created a positive community amongst the families. We are very grateful for the dedication of the teachers and staff and would highly recommend this daycare to families looking for a dependable and enriching childcare environment.

Both of our kids attended SLC from 2020-2026 and we have been incredibly happy every step of the…read moreway. The teachers are so nurturing and engaged. They work to build a community amongst families. They take them on field trips and to the park and pea patch. My kids have learned so much and were more than prepared for Kindergarten. The classes are small enough that every child is cared for and they also have plenty of opportunities to develop independence. We would recommend SLC to anyone looks for a daycare where their children will thrive!

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The Treehouse

(21 reviews)

7.2 mi

Women-owned & operated

Locally owned & operated

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!

Our daughter is thriving at The Treehouse! She adores going to school where she plays with her…read morefriends, engages in dance and gymnastics, and gets to express herself through a wide variety of arts and crafts activities. It's been really wonderful seeing her express herself more clearly and forge lasting friendships with her classmates. The teaching staff is warm, friendly and genuinely has the best interests of the kids as their top priority. Their interest in getting to know our entire family and the kindness they show our younger son (who will soon enroll at The Treehouse himself) is truly heartwarming. I cannot recommend The Treehouse enough to families who are looking for a welcoming community and play-based learning environment.

Pre-K Dramatic Play Area

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Kiddie Academy of Seattle at Queen Anne

(20 reviews)

2.7 mi

We couldn't be happier our experience at Kiddie Academy of Queen Anne! From day one, the infant and…read moretoddler classrooms felt like a second home - bright, welcoming spaces where little ones are genuinely excited to spend their days. All staff and administrators deserve recognition for their incredible dedication. The teachers created such engaging, developmentally appropriate activities and truly enjoyed sharing them with the kids. They have this wonderful ability to balance fun with learning and created engaging, developmentally appropriate activities that the kids delighted in. The daily communication was fantastic too - we always felt connected to his day through detailed updates about his adventures, discoveries, and progress. Our son grew so much during his time at Kiddie Academy! We're filled with appreciation for our time her. Any parent searching for quality early childhood care should definitely consider Kiddie Academy - it's been everything we hoped for and more!

Absolutely loved our time at Kiddie Academy. We've moved a lot so had to go to three daycares in…read moretwo years (including many of Seattle's most expensive...), and our son has never transitioned so well and so quickly into a school. The teachers and entire staff are not only professional and dedicated, but provide the warmth and affection that makes young kid comfortable. Debbie runs a tight ship. Front desk staff are always full of smiles. We love our end of day reports and pictures, and the live-streaming videos so we can check on our son during the day. Miss Jamie and Miss Belle in toddler class are the best! If we didn't live a 50 min commute away we would have stayed!

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Cosmopolitan Kids - Uptown Academy

3.8

(21 reviews)

3.3 mi

Very positive experience 1. Teachers: Outstanding teachers…read morewho care deeply for the kids. 2. Learning and development programs: Lots of activities, even outside the major holidays, to keep the kiddos busy. 3. Flexibility: Staff works with the parents for requests regarding nutrition, pick-up timings etc.

It's quite late for me to post this review but I have had a good experience at Cosmopolitan with my…read morefirst born. Infant room teachers Khus khus and DG were great. Experienced and kind. Toddler room teachers were also nice. I'll recommend this daycare.

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Sunny Language Academy

4.7

(17 reviews)

4.1 mi

Good location, flexible. Kids are learning how to read and speak in mandarin a big plusread more

My son has been attending SLA for 4 months, and we couldn't be happier. The faculty is incredibly…read morewarm and professional, and we especially love the Chinese teachers --they are so patient and engaging. They helped my son adjust to the daily routine much faster than I expected. He loves the morning songs and He eats all his lunch there now. He actually asks to go to daycare in the morning! Thank you for making transitions so smooth.

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Pacific First Montessori

(5 reviews)

3.7 mi

My husband and I enrolled our son at PFM when he was five months old, as I was returning to work…read moreafter a long maternity leave. Naturally, I was concerned about this transition; anxious about the adjustment period and a little weepy that he would be under the care of others every day! This feeling of uneasiness quickly subsided. Upon our very first visit, the PFM team jumped into action and together we put a comfortable transition plan into place. The teachers in his classroom (as well as the Director and Assistant Director) were very warm and showed a genuine interest in our sons onboarding, providing personal updates throughout his day as well as advice on naps and feeding. Relationships quickly bloomed. The online portal that is updated by his teachers throughout the day documented sleeping, eating and diaper patterns, giving us full visibility to what his days looked like. All of this provided me with peace of mind, which is what you need as a new parent during this transition. Fast forward four months: we have an extremely happy child who lights up every day at drop off for school and is in no rush to leave at pick up time! Children cannot fake their excitement, so you know that this is genuine. The child-led philosophy of Montessori allows our son freedom in the classroom to "choose his own adventure" every day, while still providing him with a structured curriculum that has enabled him to surpass his milestones. Being a very active child, our son is thriving in this environment and we have seen tremendous growth in him, both socially and developmentally. It is evident that the team here truly cares about the children and love what they do. I would recommend PFM to any families seeking a child care experience that is nurturing, community oriented and child focused. It is so much more than just a school or day care, and has exceeded our expectations.

I can't say enough positive things about Pacific First Montessori and it's staff. We've been…read moreenrolled for a little over 6 months now and it was the best decision we could have made for our little guy. He is learning, developing, and experiencing so much faster and more than he would anywhere else. The staff and curriculum at PFM are top notch and it shines through in my child. Every single day he comes home with new and exciting things to talk to me about. I know my child is getting the BEST experience there is to offer. Not only are the Montessori program and staff 5 star, but so is the classroom environment, meal plan, playground, community, owner and location. I wouldn't hesitate a second to think about enrolling your child in this school.

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2 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Anne N.

0

4

0

11 years ago

Meridian always had great teachers (well for the last six years we know they have) and caring parents and kids, but under the new headmaster (as of 2013) and director of customized learning, the school has really blossomed and the kids are doing better than ever. As the parents of "gifted" children (who learn very differently from each other), we have found the school fantastic about challenging them academically while nurturing the whole child, as hokey as that may sound. They aren't in a pressure cooker atmosphere of overly competitive parents or kids, they are stretched in areas they excel in, and have a supportive community for learning differences or other challenges that may arise too. The kids are prepared to succeed and thrive as they move on to the next stage, be it Lakeside, other independent middle and high schools, or the public schools highly capable program. Touring middle schools made me really realize how much they learned at Meridian. We love their Global Studies program too and our kids love it and have learned an incredible amount, including things I don't think I covered until high school. It is a best kept secret, almost a neighborhood school in its amazing secret garden of Meridian Park. read more

maria s.

0

13

0

11 years ago

I love this school. They've supported my child wonderfully throughout the years. A lovely, nurturing place.

The Meridian School - elementaryschools - Updated August 2026

People who viewed The Meridian School also viewed

Pacific Crest School

3.7

It is important for families to understand that if you enroll your child at Pacific Crest, you are…read moresigning a contract obligating you to pay the full year of tuition and forfeit your deposit regardless of how the school handles communication or concerns prior to enrollment. I believe it is important for prospective families to have a clear understanding of what they may encounter before making such a significant financial and emotional commitment for their child. We first attended an information session in 2025 and later met with the school with the intention of enrolling our four-year-old daughter for January 2026. During the admissions process, the director was attentive, responsive, and reassuring , effectively an excellent sales lady. We were repeatedly told that the school valued communication, community, and a child-centered approach, which strongly influenced our decision to enroll. Unfortunately, once we signed the contract in August and paid tuition, the level of communication changed dramatically. In November, I reached out to the school seeking guidance regarding our daughter's upcoming January start date, including next steps, meeting her teacher, and understanding what supplies or preparations were needed. I received no response. After following up a second time and again receiving no response, we finally heard back nearly three weeks and three emails later with a generic reply stating that the classroom teacher would contact us within two days with additional information. Unfortunately, that follow-up never came. By this point, we were becoming increasingly frustrated by the ongoing lack of communication and professionalism. Over winter break, the continued absence of communication led us to seriously reconsider whether this was the right environment for our daughter. It became difficult to feel confident placing our child in a school that struggled to provide even basic communication and follow-through during the enrollment process, especially after emphasizing those values so heavily during admissions. We eventually met with the director the same week our daughter was supposed to begin attending. She apologized for the communication issues and at that point, the alternative presented to us was a meeting with the financial department regarding our contractual financial obligations to the school. Wanting to remain open-minded and hopeful that the experience itself might ultimately be different than the enrollment process had been, we decided to move forward with a classroom observation before making a final decision. We decided to complete a classroom observation so we could better understand the environment and meet the teacher, whom we still had not heard from directly prior to our daughter's anticipated start date. Although the observation was brief, several aspects of the classroom gave us pause. Most concerning was the aloofness and emotional coldness the primary teacher exhibited toward the children. She appeared disengaged and minimally interactive with the students throughout our visit. More broadly, the classroom atmosphere itself felt unexpectedly disconnected. There seemed to be very little sense of joy, warmth, friendship, or community among the children -- something I would have expected to see naturally develop among four- and five-year-olds who had reportedly spent anywhere from six months to over a year together. As a parent, it was difficult not to notice how emotionally disconnected the environment felt overall. Frankly, the children did not appear especially happy, engaged, or socially connected. After the observation, we briefly met with the teacher. The director was not present at the school that day and was unavailable to speak with us. What ultimately solidified our decision not to move forward was the teacher's statement that she generally does not communicate with parents outside of scheduled conferences, though she could "make an exception" if necessary. As parents preparing for our daughter's first school experience, we did not feel it was unreasonable to hope for occasional communication regarding how she was adjusting socially and emotionally. Following the visit, we sent three follow-up emails to the director requesting communication regarding our concerns and asking whether our deposit could be refunded. We never received a response. Regardless of contractual policies, the continued lack of follow-through, responsiveness, and professionalism throughout this process was deeply disappointing and ultimately very upsetting for our family. On a positive note, our daughter is now thriving at a neighborhood preschool with warm, engaged teachers and a classroom culture filled with genuine connection among the children. The experience has only highlighted for us the stark contrast between the sense of warmth and community we now see daily and the emotional coldness and disconnection we witnessed during our experience at Pacific Crest

We believed Pacific Crest would be a strong fit for our daughter because of her independence,…read morecreativity, and love of learning. During the admissions process, the director presented the school as warm, welcoming, communicative, and child-centered. Unfortunately, our experience was the opposite. The communication from the school became extremely poor once we enrolled. After observing the primary classroom and developing serious concerns about the emotional environment, we reached out multiple times to discuss what we had witnessed. Despite several emails, the director and primary teacher never responded. I ultimately had to go to the school in person to address our concerns. During our 45-minute classroom observation, we saw multiple troubling interactions. One young boy sat isolated in a chair by himself for the entire observation without engagement, support, or invitation from the teacher to join activities. Another child arrived late and was completely ignored by the teacher -- no greeting, acknowledgment, or warmth. The overall classroom atmosphere felt emotionally cold, separated, and institutional rather than nurturing or interactive for primary school-age children experiencing their first school environment. When I raised these concerns in person, the director dismissed them and suggested that ignoring the child who arrived late may have been part of a "behavioral plan." We found that explanation deeply concerning and inappropriate for young children. What was most disappointing was not only the classroom environment itself, but how our family was treated afterward. Our concerns were ignored, communication was nonexistent, and the school refused to return our deposit despite the circumstances. I genuinely worry about the emotional impact this environment may have on children and whether prospective families are receiving an accurate picture of the school experience before enrolling.

North Queen Anne Childcare Center

4.7

(12 reviews)

The teachers are loving and kind. Food is made in house. Have access to many local resources…read moreincluding SPU, the ship canal and the Free Methodist Church's facilities.

Our toddler attended NQACC for almost two years and was a Purple Bunny and Pink Penguin. He loved…read morehis time there and we were very satisfied as his parents. From the accommodating hours (7-6) to the warmth of the staff to the included meals, all of our son's needs were met or exceeded. For example, re: meals - tasty breakfast, lunch and snack provided daily are prepared with love by the chef who has been with the school over two decades. Tuition very reasonable (and drops with toilet training). The only reason we left was our move to the east side made the drive prohibitive. But our son still asks daily if he can go back!

Northwest Montessori School

3.6

(14 reviews)

We love NWM! Great teachers and community I've sent both my kids here and they've had wonderful…read moreexperiences. Ms Wang clearly loves the children and is an amazing teacher. Maddy goes above and beyond, making all the difference for my son who had a hard time adjusting to preschool at first.

Comprehensive education with great communication from teachers! My kid's self confidence soared.read more

Victory Heights Coop Preschool

(7 reviews)

I wish I had more stars to give. We love this community. The teacher, parent educator, kids and…read moreparents make this such an amazing place to bring your child. We've attended for two years now and watching my daughter's growth has been such a blessing. Thank you teacher Aria, parent educator Helen and all the parents at Victory Heights co-op!

This coop preschool has an amazing location with an outdoor play area into the Victory Heights…read morepark, super cute brick school house with big windows, and best of all the wonderful Teacher Marianne. My daughter has really loved coming here this past year and I've enjoyed the community the other families have created. The play is set up in sections of the classroom and there are areas for dress up, a play house, library, puzzles, blocks, art, science table, sensory box, and a daily changing station. The kids do seasonal projects and field trips.

Northwest Montessori School

4.7

(3 reviews)

Northwest Montessori has been a transformative place for our family. After a difficult time at a…read moreprevious early childhood program, we found a school that welcomed our son with open arms. The educators here are not only exceptionally skilled, but also deeply compassionate, committed to seeing and nurturing the best in every child. The school fosters independence, confidence, and a strong sense of community. Some preschools strike me as chaotic, while others seem a bit too library-like; I think Northwest Montessori strikes a thoughtful balance between academic learning and play, ensuring a structured yet lively classroom environment. We've seen our kids develop a broad range of skills--motor, executive function, literacy, math, creativity--within a highly cooperative setting, and they have of course made many close friends. I also think that the Northwest Montessori team is deeply committed to INCLUSION, embracing children of all backgrounds and needs including neurodiverse learners. I've always felt that every staff member at NWM, from teachers to administrators, is dedicated to creating a space where each child feels at home and can reach their fullest potential. The Wedgwood campus has three classrooms, each mixed-age from 2.5yo to 6yo (thru Kindergarten). I wasn't sure how a mixed-age classroom would work at first, but honestly it's been so awesome--it's super cool to watch kiddos learn to mentor and teach one another, and my kids have picked up so many leadership skills from being in a mixed-age environment. They have a lovely little playground that is both secure and offers a wide variety of equipment, and the kiddos always have a wonderful time. This school has not only supported our child's growth, but has helped our family heal from previous bad experiences. Our older child has since graduated and is thriving in public school, while our younger one is still benefiting from this incredible learning environment. We couldn't be more grateful for the dedication of the educators at Northwest Montessori, and we wholeheartedly recommend it to any family seeking a nurturing, inclusive, and empowering early education.

Was referred to this childcare from my son's other center, Lil People's World Seattle, by another…read moreparent. Wow, what a difference! NW Montessori is all that I hoped a child care center would be and more. The teachers obviously love what they do, the director and other staff are the best at what they do, and I feel more at ease knowing that there is an option in Seattle like this establishment. My son has only been there a couple months, but I think its the best decision I have made. He is much happier there than Lil People's World.

Bright Horizons at South Lake Union

3.1

(14 reviews)

This center is wonderful. Julz is an amazing director and leads a team of kind, skilled educators…read more Our child has been there for two years (so far) and is thriving.

Not many recent reviews here, so adding ours. Awesome location (walking distance from anywhere in…read moreSLU) and super safe - they require everyone to get buzzed in or have a unique passcode. Compared to other daycares our son was previously at, two strengths here in the toddler classrooms are (1) everyone eats and does everything family-style at one large kid-sized table (not separate little tables) and (2) lots of time spent running around outside regardless of weather. For #2, it's nice to see our son taking such good naps since he is thoroughly exhausted from running around! Only con is that the teacher at dropoff tends to be different each day (if dropping off before 8am) since the main teachers don't always come until 8:30 - took our son a bit longer to get used to, but not the end of the world. P.S. super responsive program leadership, more so than at all our previous daycares - it's nice sending an email or asking a question and getting a response back from Julz the center director immediately (even when we were just looking at options before we'd enrolled).

Laurel Academy

(10 reviews)

Our 5 year old daughter has been at Little Laurels and Laurel Academy since she was 2 years old…read more(toddler room through Kindergarten) and we have absolutely loved the school. Our daughter has thrived in the small classroom environment, and we have found the teachers and administration to be thoughtful, organized and wonderfully responsive. When our little one was ready to move into Kindergarten a bit early, the teachers and administrators communicated proactively with us, and helped make sure the transition was smooth. I feel so grateful to have been a part of this community, and strongly recommend the school.

I cannot say enough great things about this school. The amount of attention the kids (and parents)…read morereceive, the positivity from teachers and staff, the cool events put on by the school, and the after school extra-curriculars they offer....I'm so thankful we decided to send our Kindergartner here. She's thriving and LOVES school. Thanks for all you do, Laurel Academy!!

Sand Point Child Development Center

(3 reviews)

My daughter loves SPCDC. The teachers are all really passionate about teaching and the entire…read morecommunity of kids and parents have been incredible. Dropping off our kid everyday, we feel confident that she's in the best care possible and is surrounded by love and care. SPCDC has had a hugely positive influence on the confidence, intelligence and social skills of our child and we highly recommend it.

Our daughter went to SPCDC (pre-pandemic) and we loved it! Diana, Paul and Shameika were incredible…read moreteachers that went above and beyond with all the children. The school was cognizant of ensuring diversity in their enrollment plan which made the experience culturally rich and relevant for our student. Additionally they had a strong belief in extracurricular activities like discovery walks to Magnuson, and weekly singing/music class, gymnastics/rhythm class, and swim lessons at the local indoor community center. We have one more child and hope he can attend when it's time!

Seattle Learning Center

(8 reviews)

We had such a great experience with SLC (Montlake) from 2022-2025. Both of our boys absolutely…read moreloved going there every day. The teachers are incredibly caring and truly invested in each child. Ms. Lily has built an amazing program with a great balance of learning, creativity, and fun. What really makes SLC special is how personal it feels. It's a close-knit group of teachers where you actually know everyone -- not a big, impersonal center. That warmth shows in everything they do. The activities are engaging and thoughtful, and even now our kids keep asking if they can go back and visit their teachers. We're very grateful for our time there and highly recommend it.

We loved our time with Seattle Learning Center so much. Our daughter attended SLC from age 1.5 to…read more5, and she became such a thoughtful, helpful, self-aware child in their care. The teachers and staff at SLC are wonderful; they really were "our village" for those years. I appreciated their focus on play-based learning and social emotional growth. My daughter's kindergarten teacher remarks on how mature and helpful she is in the classroom now, and I know SLC was a big part of that!

Matheia School