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 has 2 classes per grades in grades PK-4, and 2 sections in grades 5 & 6. Total current enrollment for PS-6 is 270 students. In the following year, the school will add 7th grade and then 8th grade in 2013.
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 Bush, Northwest School, Seattle Academy of Arts and Science, University Prep, Villa Academy, and Public APP and Spectrum programs.
School Hours and Extended Day Programs
What are the school hours? Kindergarten–4th grade start at 8:30am, preschool and pre-K classes start at 9am. Preschool dismisses at noon. Full day pre-K and Kindergarten classes dismiss at 2:45pm and all other classes dismiss at 3:15pm. The middle school day begins at 8:15am and dismisses at 3:30pm.
Do you have any extended day programs? You can extend your day at Westside with our before and after-care programs. Before care for K-4 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 lease on a school building in the Seattle School District. This building has a gymnasium and a multi-purpose room, which also serves as a lunch room. In addition there are two covered play areas. In addition there is a dedicated Early Childhood Education Center that serves our PS/PK programs.
Where do children play at recess? Westside has a large play area that suits all grade levels. There is a playground climber with slides, monkey bars, etc. and there is also plenty of space for a variety of individual and group games. On rainy days, Westside has a full-size gymnasium for children to use and also the two covered play areas.
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 4th grade, and a Mandarin Chinese program for K-4th. Middle School students select either language to specialize in from 5th grade and above.
What enrichment classes does Westside offer? Westside has a talented enrichment faculty that meets with all preschool-4th grades for Spanish, PE, Art and Music. Chinese starts in Kindergarten. Middle School students are offered similar programs as well as an Outdoor Education component.
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? All Preschoolers go through a Kindergarten Readiness Assessment that determines if they are ready for Westside School's Kindergarten program.
Tuition, Fees, Fundraising and Volunteering
How much is tuition? Tuition for the 2011=2012 school year is $10,800 for Kindergarten - 5th grade. Full-day PK is $9,750 and half-day preschool is $6500. Tuition for 6th grade is $12,900.
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 for families in grades K-6th. We use the services Independent School Management Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) Program for computation and evaluation of need. Families can apply for Financial Aid at the FAST website. Please see the tuition assistance section on this page for more details and to download Westside's Application for Tuition Assistance. Once the FAST 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.