Sometimes I see online reviews for an item that someone just purchased, and has only experienced for 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. read more

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

Let me put it this way, attended webinar, per school staff's suggestion paid application fee and added to waiting list, then, they never informed any information regarding where we are, ok that's fine, more ridiculously, they never responded our emails to request info on what is the next step. Think about this, you paid and ask for next step, they just disappeared, it's been more than 1 year now! It's just terrible experience. read more

I tried to apply and ask some questions regarding with their positions! after a few weeks got a harsh response about how i need to re-format my resume/CV and basically telling me to not apply...and rudely giving me unwanted criticism :,( definitely not a warm welcoming environment! read more

I'm actually posting this for all parents-- I attended this school in 5th and 6th grade, as did my little sister, and will share that this school isn't for everybody, and has a laser focus on the students attending. That is why, when they feel they can't properly serve a child, they are honest about it. While one of the other negative reviews is completely about this, it's not a valid review because the child never attended the school-- they are just bitter because how dare TLS not accept THEIR child (much like I was not accepted at Bush-- better leave them a negative review now). However, The Little School isn't there to serve the egos of parents-- it's to serve the children. This model did not work for me, but my sister absolutely thrived in it. Why? I believe it's because, at that age, I had too much autonomy and really, really, really needed a great deal more structure than they provided at the time. My sister, on the other hand, thrived in this environment and truly did find her place educationally. Long story short, as adults we both find ourselves with degrees from the University of Washington-- I have a Masters and she has a Bachelors. However, I thrived in public schools and she thrived in a less structured private school environment. The beauty of private schools for those that can afford them is that, specifically, they don't have to serve everybody and therefore don't have to split limited resources amongst a huge diversity of students creating what, in public schools, has become a machine that serves the elite, serves the special needs, and absolutely does not serve a huge percentage of students attending. read more

Dear Fellow Parents, you should be aware that if your child has any learning difficulties or diagnoses such as ADHD, autism, SPD, OCD, etc., your child is NOT welcome at The Little School. My child has an autism diagnosis (very mild). She is highly verbal and good natured. She is not aggressive, disruptive nor loud. She responds well but only needed some extra guidance and attention with her learning. Isn't that why most people put their child in private school? I chose to apply to The Little School due to the low teacher student ratio. Foolishly, I disclosed her diagnosis thinking honesty is always best. But The Little School only saw the diagnosis, the scarlet "A", if you will. And they told me that she "wouldn't be a good fit", the ultimate diss-off. They said they didn't have "the resources she needed". That is utter b.s. We never asked for, expected, or needed extra resources. We only wanted a small class size. They didn't even bother to meet her. The Little School says it's all about "Progressive Education" and prides itself on being inclusive with a wide range of people from different backgrounds. They say they let the child develop at their own pace. Last time I checked, people with disabilities, learning difficulties and autism are a part of our community and deserve to be included in your $19,000+ annual tuition cost. I write this in complete truth. It is discrimination. Shame on you The Little School. Parents beware. read more

This school is a dream come true for parents looking to find a supportive, caring, educational, inclusive and knowledgeable environment where your kids will thrive. We were anxious to send our son to any school but the moment we walked onto campus and met a few teachers we knew immediately it was the right fit. Our son started at 4yo and was lucky enough to have Jackie as his teacher. To be fair, every teacher has been amazing. My son enjoys his creative movement class but truly loves his outdoor class (rain or shine!). The social-emotional learning is so important for our kiddos to feel confident, learn how to communicate their feelings & needs, and develop young adults who understand their feelings and can communicate them. All of the outdoor time students receive is amazing! The woods can be explored, bugs are found & analyzed, bird nets are spotted & discussed, and children learn about taking care of gardens and plants. Amazing! The campus is beautiful, the classrooms remind me of my childhood and are just what a child needs. Honestly, you won't regret sending your child here. We are so happy! read more

My daughter had a less than positive experience in our local public school, and The Little School was recommended to me as an environment which might be more positive for a bright, musical, energetic - but at the time, very discouraged - child. I toured the superb, tree-filled campus and knew it was the right place for her. The teaching staff is superb, and there are enough of them that children are able to receive the individual attention that they need. The art program was a source of much pride, allowing her to explore and express herself in a multitude of media. The library is just fantastic, with a large clawfoot bathtub filled with pillows for kids to climb into and read, and a pile of books that the children have written themselves, that other children can check out - a source of much pride for budding authors. After three years there, my daughter was accepted to her first-choice middle school, and all the kids who graduated with her seemed to head off to other excellent schools as well. Her time there was joyous and truly built her confidence and sense of self, and she has kept the friends she made there even though they are all off at different schools now. It was a fantastic experience and one of the best parenting choices I feel I could have made for her. read more

Our two daughters attend TLS. This is the most amazing place we could put them in. EVERYONE is inspiring, the educational spirit is interactive, interesting and diversified. My daughter has made an amazing progress last year due to tremendous efforts of her teacher to attend her personal needs. Her teacher this year has a structured approach which also works great for her. Add to it a warm community of people who care and get the perfect place for our family. We love TLS!! read more

We love the little school. Our daughter (age 9) was at another private school and was doing well but struggled because she is highly spirited and also very dyslexic. She started the year off a little worried about how it was going to go, she had only ever been to her old school (since she was 3!). But the staff and kids made her feel right at home. I continue to believe that this was the best possible move for her. We love the little school and are so glad to be part of this loving community read more

We are on our second year at The Little School (TLS) and could not be happier. We choose TLS due to their progressive philosophy, their inclusiveness, their ability to be best practice and the overall joy and LOVE for learning that occurs very organically at the school. We have twin boys that are as opposite as you can be. Despite them being in the same class, they have developed their own learning style and we can see their learning differences and similarities. Never have my twins been compared to each other and their teachers work diligently to ensure they are created as individuals. Our experience has been incredible and I feel like The Little School has become a part of our family. I am often asked why I send my kids there (We do not live close to the school at all) and I sometimes struggle with putting into words what embodies The Little School. I know this much- my twins HAVE NEVER said in TWO years that they do not want to go to school (in fact, they want to be there early and stay late). Their faces light up when they see their teachers, staff, and their friends. Their academic ability is on par with their age, and in most cases, they are "above" their age group for academics. I highly recommend The Little School. TLS allows your son/daughter to explore their own learning style, their own learning interests, at their own pace- all meanwhile learning a ton of enriching content. Best wishes on this journey! It's a special journey. read more

This is our family's first year at The Little School and we have had a wonderful experience so far. My son is in third grade and his transition from his old school has been much easier than I expected. The small classes and attentive teachers and staff make the school an inclusive environment to a diverse range of kids. One thing that really sold us on TLS - aside from the curriculum - was the beautiful forested campus. Students learn in nature and have opportunities to build forts, climb into tree houses, and observe native plants and animals. We've found the academics very strong, and taught in ways that engage our son and build a true understanding of math, reading, and science concepts that allow him to build on his knowledge and skills to the best of his ability. Social Emotional Learning is integrated into every aspect of the school and the growth my son has shown in that regard since he started at TLS has impressed my husband and me. We consider ourselves lucky to have found TLS! read more

This is our family's first year at The Little School and we have had a wonderful experience so far. My son is in third grade and his transition from his old school has been much easier than I expected. The small classes and attentive teachers and staff make the school an inclusive environment to a diverse range of kids. One thing that really sold us on TLS - aside from the curriculum - was the beautiful forested campus. Students learn in nature and have opportunities to build forts, climb into tree houses, and observe native plants and animals. We've found the academics very strong, and taught in ways that engage our son and build a true understanding of math, reading, and science concepts that allow him to build on his knowledge and skills to the best of his ability. Social Emotional Learning is integrated into every aspect of the school and the growth my son has shown in that regard since he started at TLS has impressed my husband and me. We consider ourselves lucky to have found TLS! read more

My kids have been students at The Little School for several years. I love the small class sizes, which have given my kids the opportunity to be truly known by teachers and staff. Teachers can (and do) tailor the curriculum to the needs and interests of their students. When a class is fascinated by a particular topic (e.g. space, dinosaurs, Egypt), the teacher uses that interest as a way to explore all sorts of subjects (e.g. math, reading, science, art, music). Since the kids care about the theme of the lessons, they spend more time on and are more invested in their lessons than I've seen in other elementary-aged kids. Teachers are very responsive to the needs of the individual kids in their classes. Lessons are taught in many different ways - with conversation, exploration, and movement to name a few. Classrooms are set up in a way that allows kids to have some autonomy and take ownership of their learning. I'm continually impressed by the depth of caring and intentionality evident in every aspect of The Little School. My kids have had the opportunity to grow and learn in an environment that nurtures their inherent love of learning. I'm grateful for our years as a TLS family. read more

Teaches the skills our kids need to be successful citizens and leaders in our quickly changing world. We have two kids who went all the way through TLS and are now heading into 9th and 11th grades. They and their fellow alums show empathy, creativity, confidence, a strong sense of self, sense of responsibility and community, and a constant curiosity for life. In middle school and high school hey have been straight A students and more importantly: happy, well adjusted kids who are good at life. We owe it all to The Little School who lets kids be kids and learn according to their own developmental timetables -- not what the common core determines for them. read more

We transferred our child here in second grade. It's a sad thing when a young child dreads school, when their enthusiasm for life and learning, their confidence in themself diminishes. After seeing this happen elsewhere, we were cautiously optimistic to try TLS. Changing schools has been life changing for our child. Now that his developmental needs are met, that he feels valued, he's flourishing socially and academically. The administration and staff are wise and dedicated to working with each child individually, even at times when this is challenging. Learning is truly hands on and meaningful. Students learn more than just how to memorize facts, they learn to think critically, and they learn how to work with others. read more

What an incredible place for students and families! Children are so well known and appreciated for who they are -- and taught with their specific interests in mind. Outdoor learning abounds on this 12 acres of beautiful wooded campus. Teachers keep current on leading edge research about brain development and early learning and use this to shape their teaching practice each year. And the emergent curriculum means each class is totally unique, teachers shaping the lessons fit the needs and interests of the group. Kids are so fully engaged in their learning. And the many graduates we know are all bright, confident, community-minded individuals who see themselves as life long learners. We love it here! read more

The ultimate school experience is the first thought that comes to mind when I think of The Little School --- from my three children's preschool years which were rich, authentic, playful, vibrant, and responsive to their elementary experiences now running in the woods and learning deeply in a collaborative context, we feel so lucky to be a part of The Little School. I can see the depth of my children's academic understanding in the questions they ask and the conversations they initiate with me and share with each other. I am especially impressed by and grateful for the strength of my children's math and literacy foundation that they developed at The Little School. It doesn't look like my own education, but I am amazed almost daily by what my kids know and can do because of how The Little School teachers build on kids' interests and integrate skills and concepts using developmentally appropriate methods and science-backed cognitive approaches. My kids absolutely love learning, love reading, love exploring and they are good at it! The Little School really delivers on its promise of building on children's natural curiosity and unleashing their innate growth potential. And, all this takes place in the most beautiful woods setting in an empowering and supportive social-emotional context! I love how my kids are spending their precious childhood days and I know it is equipping them for the next phases of their lives inside and outside the classroom. read more

Hard to choose a number of stars, since the school itself offers a pretty good experience for younger children. As the kids progress the school is short on the supports and curriculum that older kids start to need. It has an overall shortage of programs and facilities, especially for the older kids. There is something appealing about their approach to organic learning that may work for some kids and families, but any child that isn't a typical learner won't find a school that is willing to support any learning differences at all. Moreover, they do assume control of a students class placement and parents are not welcome in that discussion. Tuition is high, but don't misunderstand that it buys you a seat at the table for discussing how your students education is being conducted. They will place your child where they place them, advance them (or not) based on the teacher's judgment, and you will be informed of decisions only after you have signed a financial contract and paid your first tuition payment. It's actually in the overall a good school for younger kids, but fails to embrace the way in which parents of younger kids need to be a partner with their kids school. If you get lucky and they get your kid right, you'll have a great experience. But if they don't, don't waste your effort. You aren't invited to be a part of that conversation. read more

My step-son attended this school for almost two years. This was the absolute worst possible school experience I have ever been a part of. The staff are reckless, irresponsible, and involve themselves way too deeply in personal family matters. My step-son was pathologized and reprimanded constantly for normal "boy" behavior. I never once saw his teacher smile and she would reprimand my step-son at almost every pick up and drop off. This was horrible on his self esteem. My honest opinion is that this school should be shut down or have its administration and teachers replaced. Now that my step-son has attended a public elementary school in the LW School District, he loves going to school and has never once been given a negative report on his behavior from his school, his summer school, his daycare, or his summer camp. This clearly tells me that the problem was with The Little School. Peter, the head of the school, is not approachable when trouble arises and does not involve himself appropriately during critical issues. If my step-son were to have stayed at this school any longer, his love of learning would have certainly been destroyed. Furthermore, The Little School said that he had learning and memory issues. Now that he is out of TLS, he reads wonderfully and has improved leaps and bounds. read more