Coming back to stay I still love this school! Our family has been at University Cooperative School for 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. read more

We have loved this place. 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. read more

My son goes to preschool with Teachers Christi and Susanne here, and they fill his day with a stream of such engaging, fun, educational activities. They share the most beautiful pictures of his day, and I'm in awe of how much they can fit in between 9 am and 1 pm. A typical day can include an art project (my son recently made planets out of papier mache), a food project (today was sushi rolls), time romping around Ravenna Park, circle time for songs and sign language, and story time during lunch. They even take the bus and light rail to visit different parts of the city. Christi and Susanne exude this amazing calm, loving, fully present energy with the kids, always observing and affirming their budding strengths. I honestly can't imagine a better preschool experience for little ones! There is the extended day option as well, which goes until 5, I think. read more

University Cooperative has been nothing short of fantastic. The teachers are not only caring, but truly passionate about teaching. We had our son overseas with us for several years, and attended what many believe to be "the best schools," one in Paris and the other in Munich. While the academics were very good and super competitive, we always felt something was missing. University Cooperative has filled that void. My unique, smart, and passionate child is honored as an individual, fully active in his own learning process by way of hands-on-learning, and above all, supported in a community as he strengthens his social and emotional skills along the way. University Cooperative is a special place and we are fortunate to be a part of this true work of art. read more

University Cooperative School - Elementary Schools Near Me - Seattle, Washington

University Cooperative School is a warm, caring, challenging, stimulating place for children to learn. The educators at U-Coop are passionately committed to their vision that "Childhood is a Journey, Not a Race" and they create time and opportunity for kids to be kids, while still pushing each child forward at the right pace for their own academic progress. Each grade level is wonderfully small (12-14 children) but the students also get plenty of time in larger mixed-age groupings. The school building is inspiring: reading lofts, large play areas, plants, animals, art spaces, music spaces, cozy spaces, open spaces...it's the opposite of spending year after year in square, soul-less classrooms. Being located a block from Cowen Park means the kids get outside every day. U-Coop is a true Co-op: parents assist the teaching faculty in the classrooms, do all kind of jobs to keep the school running, and form a true community. My son just started kindergarten at U-Coop in September, and already I know all his classmates and friends, and their families. I'm thrilled that our family is part of this supportive experience, and my son's review is below: "It's really good, because you get to do a lot of learning, and playing tag, and going to the park. When you're in Katy's class, you do calendar, and it's sometimes tricky because she makes us, like, memorize every day of the week. And we get to do music class once a week, art class twice a week, and Spanish once a week. And on Friday you can get pizza. If you know how to play four-square you can play four-square. And if you don't, they'll just teach you and you can play four-squre if you want. That's it." read more

I was a student at University Cooperative School (or "U Co-op" as we called it) from 1996 to 1999. Back then, U Co-op was in the original building and only taught kindergarten through 2nd grade. Since then they have moved to a different building and added grades 3-5. As an alumni of this school, I passionately and wholeheartedly encourage you to send your kids to this school. You should also encourage your neighbors, nieces, nephews, and friends to go to this school. It IS that special. When I went to this school, I loved it. Now I am in my 20s and when I think about everything this school taught me I am overwhelmingly grateful. Most schools can teach your kids math, writing, reading, and all of the other basics, but U Co-op teaches all of that and more. U Co-op taught me about respect, integrity, creativity, sharing with others, believing in myself and my capabilities, compassion, acceptance, confidence, and humility. It is a place where diversity is celebrated. I learned about the practices of many different cultures, spoke Spanish, made Native American fishing hooks out of soaked wood and honored Martin Luther King Jr. in a play. I remember on Mondays we got to volunteer at the food bank. We didn't interact with the public. Instead we helped prepare paper bags full of canned food, bread, and diapers. I don't know if students still do this or not, but it was a wonderful experience. As 1st graders we would vie for the chance to go to the food bank. Whoever didn't get to go could go the following week but I think the fact that students would get really excited about helping the community is a huge testament to what U Co-op instilled in us. Honestly, I think of this school as my third parent because it shaped me into the person I am today just as much as my mom and dad did. I truly believe that the world would be a better place if going to the University Cooperative School was a requirement for everyone. (Of course, then the classes wouldn't be as small!) The teachers, students, and families that make up this school are outstanding and they really come together to create a wonderful community. It is truly a gift. One of my best friends to this day is someone I went to this school with. So while I don't know where life will take me, I know that when I have kids someday I will want to live in Seattle just so I can send them to this school. read more

My kids attended this school from kindergarten through fifth grade and what a blessing! I should say that our entire family attended this school, because it is a school that includes and nurtures the whole family. University Cooperative School has the most amazing teachers, and the great thing is that because they utilize a multi-age approach for some subjects, the kids have the same group of teachers for three years. There is no substitute for this continuity - it enhances academic and social learning. This school takes an approach to learning that gets kids involved and interested. The kids work hard on their projects and take pride in their work. The parents are included every step of the way. The luckiest kids in Seattle are found at University Cooperative School! read more

Each of my kids have their own way of learning and engaging in their communities. U-Coop encourages each to be who and what they are, to find their passion. It is a school that strives to teach through experiences. I am jealous of my kids school and wish that I had had the opportunity to go here as a child. The only gripe I have is it being not a neighborhood school the kids do not know that many kids close to home. read more

I would have my kids attend no other school in Seattle. Each of my three children has attended UCoop, and each has become smart, creative, thoughtful, independent, and very successful, beyond my wildest dreams. The creativity of the teachers, specialists, and parents is inspiring, not just for the kids but for the community as well. The awareness that all of us develops toward social justice and thoughtful parenting is heartening, and strengthens our commitment to this wonderful place. To be sure, like any school, UCoop is not for every child. That's not to say it is an exclusionary/exclusive school: Each child has different needs. And it may not be for every family-- the commitment made and maintained by UC parents is a remarkable testament to the care and love we have for our kids and community, and requires effort and a willingness to support a largely volunteer operation, pitching in and "doing the right thing" sometimes without the kind of leadership and direction that larger, better funded schools offer. And that, my friends, is the UCoop Way. read more

My son attends this school, and we love it. The kids have the freedom to be themselves, and there is an emphasis on reading, and cultivating a joy of learning. We appreciate the outdoor playtime and activities (camping, biking, skiing) and the focus on growing empathetic, kind, active members of our community. read more

University Cooperative turned my son from a semi-engaged student into an enthralled student. Simply put - he loves the school, and so do my wife and I. read more

We are in our second year at U Co-op and absolutely love it! The teachers are phenomenal and so patient, caring, and loving. They are current in educational research and live the school's philosophy that "Childhood is a journey, not a race" every day. Jim Riley, the instructional program lead at the school, is so energetic and positive that it's near impossible to be in a bad mood about anything around him. The school places an emphasis on whole child education, with a strong emphasis on social-emotional development, as well as academics. They get outside a LOT and go on tons of field trips. There are lots of traditions to learn through, and because it's a co-op, you get to know the other kids and parents very well. My goal for my kids elementary school years was for them to graduate 5th grade loving school. We are well on our way! I had toured numerous public and private schools on my journey to selecting one for my kids, and I think U Co-op is one of the best that Seattle has to offer. read more