Frequently Asked Questions
General Westside Questions
Is Westside a private school? Westside is an Independent school, which means that it is independently governed by a board of trustees and not just the Head of School, the State of Washington or the City of Seattle. This means that the Head of School is held accountable to a group of people who’s main responsibility is to ensure the long-term viability of Westside School. That being said, this independence also allows Westside the opportunity to define its own mission and the freedom to design a quality curriculum which best meets its mission.
Westside, like other independent schools, is also private. Our financial support comes from tuition-paying families and charitable contributions. Such support comes from families who recognize that their children are receiving a quality education. Our families value the fact that Westside works hard to create a community where students thrive.
A 1999 National Public Opinion Poll on Perceptions of Independent Schools commissioned by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) found that, "independent schools are seen as most different in offering a more personalized, customized education, and an environment that is civil and controlled. Small class sizes, individualized attention, values, manners, and discipline are the most particular factors describing differences perceived between public and independent schools."
Is Westside accredited? Yes, Westside is accredited by the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools or PNAIS. PNAIS requires a vigorous self-study and peer review process that looks at a variety of indicators, including curriculum, parent support, business practices, financial indicators, and more. A school is accredited if it meets or exceeds the PNAIS Standards of Membership, and has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purpose through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future.
How big is Westside School? Westside currently 2 classes per grades in grades K-3, and 1 class per grade in grades 4 and 5, and about 212 students. In the coming years, the school will continue to grow to two classes per grade in grades 4-5. We plan on keeping one PS/PK class and one PK class.
What is the student/teacher ratio? Our student to teacher ratio is about 1:10. Classes average 18-20 students, with one teacher and one assistant teacher in the classroom. This ratio allows students to receive personal attention and an engaging education.
What kind of education do the teachers have? Most Westside teachers have at least a teaching certificate, and many have a Masters degree. Plus, all teachers participate in in-service days and other workshops that keep them up-to-date on the latest educational trends, ideas and research.
Where do Westside students go to school after graduation? Our students are accepted into a variety of independent, private and public middle school programs. Recently, our students have gone to Billings Middle School, Bush, Explorer West, Northwest School, Seattle Academy of Arts and Science, Seattle Country Day School, Seattle Girl’s School, University Prep, Villa Academy, and Public APP and Spectrum programs.
School Hours and Extended Day Programs
What are the school hours? Kindergarten–5th grade start at 8:45am, preschool and pre-K classes start at 9am. Half-day preschool and pre-K programs dismiss at noon. Full day pre-K and Kindergarten classes dismiss at 2:45pm and all other classes dismiss at 3:15pm.
Do you have any extended day programs? You can extend your day at Westside with our before and after-care programs. Before care starts at 7:30am, and runs until the start of school. After-care starts at the end of the school day and runs until 6pm .
Facilities
What kind of facilities does Westside have? Westside has a long-term lease on a school building in the Highline school district. In addition, we have added portable buildings which house classrooms, music, art and a library. We also have an adjoining house which provides offices for business and development as well as space for parent meetings. We have an interim plan to manage our growth while expanding to two sections through the fifth grade. The board continues to look at long range solutions and we are committed to preserving our playfield.
Where do children play at recess? Westside has a large play area that suits all grade levels. Students can run in the fields, swing on the monkey bars, slide down the slides, play tether ball and play a variety of other active games. On rainy days, Westside has a full-size gymnasium for children to use.
Program Information
For more detailed information about our curriculum, please click here.
Do we have foreign languages? We have a Spanish program for all classes, PS through 5th grade, and a Mandarin Chinese program for K-5th.
What enrichment classes does Westside offer? Westside has a talented enrichment faculty that meets with all grades preschool-5 th grades for Spanish, PE, Art and Music. Chinese starts in Kindergarten.
Do students receive letter grades? Westside School does not evaluate students with letter grades. Parents receive a Progress Report in October, another in February and a final report in June.
If we attend Westside for Pre-kindergarten, do we automatically get into Kindergarten? Yes.
Tuition, Fees, Fundraising and Volunteering
How much is tuition? Tuition for the 2009-2010 school year is $9900 for Kindergarten - 5th grade. Full-day PK is $8900 and half-day preschool is $5940.
Are there extra fees for field trips, supplies, books or other expenses? Your tuition covers field trip costs, supplies, books and most classroom expenses.
Is financial aid available? Financial aid is available. If you are interested in receiving financial aid, please request a SSS form from the Business Office. Once the SSS requirements are received, the financial aid committee will meet to make financial aid decisions. Once these decisions are made, the applicants will be informed of the decision. Financial aid is need-blind, and does not affect the admission process.
What additional fundraising does Westside do? At Westside, like most other independent schools, tuition only covers 80% of the cost of educating your child. To make up for the other 20%, Westside conducts two fundraisers – the annual giving campaign in the fall and an annual auction in the spring. These two fundraisers together meet the additional financial requirements needed to run the school.
Does Westside require parents to volunteer? Parents are not required to volunteer, but we recommend that families volunteer at least 10 hours a year. Many volunteer opportunities are available, and vary from driving for field trips, to volunteering as a room parent, to chairing the auction or holding a WPO position.
Hot Lunch and Transportation
Do we have transportation? Westside does not provide transportation to the school. Parents are provided with a roster to arrange car pooling and other transportation needs.
Do you provide a school lunch program? Currently, Westside has a hot lunch program through Blue Plate Express.