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.

first person here to review the school but its a very nice school with lots of recess very greatread more

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.

Teacher Nicole is great in the 3-5' class. She plays music every day to the kids during circle…read moretime. She is very warm and fun! Our child really likes her. The other thing we are happy about is that the school offers many field trips during the school year (Burke Museum featured in the picture below). Also, the preschool shares the playground with Bryant Elementary across the street, which is really nice. We are very happy with our co-op!

I've had two Children at U Ravenna Coop and I think it's an absolutely wonderful preschool. The…read morecoop model was exactly what my shy child needed, and I saw him blossom in that environment. But my outgoing and independent kid also declared it the "best school ever" and wishes we could go every day. The range of activities for kids to do keeps them thoroughly engaged as they play and learn. There is a great balance of free play time, outdoor time, and more structured circle time. Snack is also done in a way that lets kids be independent while getting the support they need. And often there is a 'cooking snack' that they get to participate in preparing - they love that! I'm always amazed by how creative and fun the activities are. It's never just pages photocopied out of a coloring book. And there is always something new to try. I'm not sure how they come up with all their ideas but I'm sure glad they get to do all those cool messy things at school and I don't have to do them at home! The best part of coop are the teachers and parent educators. You see right away that this is a passion for them, not just a job. The kids and parents immediately feel that they care about them and that they are in a supportive, safe environment. Coop follows a positive discipline method that gently guides kids to expected behaviors in a way that is always developmentally appropriate. Teacher Christi is an actual child whisperer. She leads them effortlessly and cheerfully, never raising her voice or showing any signs of irritation. She is endlessly patient and understanding and manages to be simultaneously sweet and firm when it's necessary. I honestly wish she could be my kids' teacher for as long as they're in school! I think I am a better parent for having been in coop with my kids. The teachers, along with the parent educators are there for us as well - not just the kids. It is truly a learning experience for all involved and provides a rich community that is supportive and caring. I recommend this coop to anyone with kids this age!

We moved our son to The Meridian School in 3rd grade after our former school was unable to meet his…read moreacademic needs. That move was the absolute best decision we could have made. The Meridian School offers intentional small group and experiential education grounded in proven science based academic strategies. Beyond core academic excellence and targeted support for all learners, The Meridian School excels equally in social emotional learning. Meridian learners and staffers live the school values of kindness and caring for themselves, for each other and for the community. We love being so close to many wonderful organizations in the Good Shepard Center and find the public park setting such a perfect way to be open to the neighborhood and the world. We wholeheartedly recommend The Meridian School to all families!

We have a 2nd and 5th grader at the Meridian School and could not be more impressed with the…read moreleadership, faculty and community at the school. The assistant head of school and interim head of school are very accessible, responsive and communicate effectively with staff, faculty and families. The board of trustees has a strong vision for the school rooted in its mission. We really appreciate the integrated curriculum featuring multiple specialist classes: music, health and fitness, creativity lab, science, library, Spanish, art. In the creativity lab, our children routinely have projects incorporating engineering, design, critical thinking, problem solving, coding, animation and robotics. Teachers regularly collaborate on project based-learning opportunities. The experiential learning takes the learning beyond the classroom. My daughter's grade has five field trips planned this year. Overnight grade-level trips begin in 3rd grade and by the time students graduate they have participated in a total of 5 overnight grade-level field trips around the Pacific Northwest. The trip to Mountain School at the North Cascades Institute was my son's favorite. All of these are included in tuition and covered by financial aid plans. The k-2 and 3-5 learning specialists are very dedicated. My 2nd grader has benefitted from extra academic support in the classroom. My 5th grader has received additional enrichment in math and language arts since he has surpassed grade-level benchmarks. The admissions director provides individual support to families as they embark on process of applying to independent middle schools in 5th grade. We found the community to be warm, welcoming and very engaged. Our family has made many lifelong friendships through the school.

We really enjoy Madison Park Co-op! The co-op model has been great. I love being involved in my…read moreson's preschool, getting to know the other kids and families and sharing in joys and triumphs as the kiddos grow. We attend from the Central District, and love to ride down to class on the number 11 bus.

We have been a part of Madison Park Preschool (MPCP) since 2012 and are starting our third child in…read morethe tots program this fall. I love Coop! More so, my kids love coop. MPCP is great for kids socializing but also helped me meet other young families in the area. The preschool makes you feel really connected with the other families and with the larger community. The families run the school (the coop model) and this creates opportunity to truly shape your child's education. Teacher Shannon is amazing! Kids really connect with her. My oldest just finished the 3/4s class and I know he will miss Shannon so much when fall comes around and he is not in Coop(luckily I have two more kiddos to send through)!

Greatest school ever. Son went there and now he is about to head off to college. They laid a…read morewonderful foundation for him and it will last his life time.

Bertschi is an incredible school! They truly care about and invest deeply in students. Kids are…read moreembraced as whole people and are developed on an emotional and academic level. The teachers are dedicated, capable and passionate, and the administration adds to the collaborative community feeling. The opportunities kids have for unique learning experiences is amazing. A built in drama, art and music program fosters creative learning along with math, science, reading, etc. Small groups settings are in constant use to ensure each kid is getting the specific material and attention they need to be challenged and supported. Most of all, they foster a community that values kindness and inclusivity. We are a proud Bertschi family.