Silver Firs Elementary School

My family cannot afford to live in our house anymore but we are finding every way to make it so my daughter can stay at this school. The staff is wonderful; principal, guidance counselor, teachers, etc. They all our so caring and make each and every student there fell loved and welcomed. I know if my daughter needs someone to talk to other then her parents she can meet with the amazing guidance counselor Kim Hirata. When I send my daughter to school I know she is kept in safe hands and don't need to worry about anything happening to her while she is there. The teachers there I find in every grade level do their best to make sure they find fun and exciting ways to teach our children which they bring home to share how learning is worth listening too. I applaud this school on their amazement and wish all schools are like this.
—Submitted by a parent

My 2 children attended another elementary school in the Everett School District and I am extremely pleased with this school. They were able to transfer to Silver Firs because our neighborhood school got low AYP scores. My older son needed special education and Silver Firs was right on top of it and have put a plan in motion to help him with his special needs where the last school did nothing last year to help him at all. I'm so glad we have found such a great home school and I feel very confident my kids will get the education and positive reinforcement they need to become successful adults.
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful School! My 3 children have attended starting from Kindergarten to Grade 5. When my youngest daughter needed an IEP they knew it and approached me with the special education she needed when I didn't know what to do. They have bent over backwards to help her. Mr. Minchew does a WONDERFUL job with the music program. He is so funny and has the children really love music. He's strict with the class, but a joker and makes it fun for the student. He's a joy to watch. All of the teachers my children have had were great. Very helpful, willing to give my youngest daughter the help she needed when she needed it. They support my faith when I need to take my daughter out for services, and my children really know their stuff! I've seen parents from other schools take their children out of those schools to have them come to Silver Firs because they knew how good it was!
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. I currently have two students attending, and next year will have three. The Principal takes an interest in all students, and the special education department is wonderful. The school is nestled away from the rest of the world in a peaceful, relaxing location, that gives parents a sense of security. I would recommend this school to all of those who are given a choice.
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are good even if I don't always agree with them, they get the kids to learn. The principal is always willing to listen and makes sure that bullying stops. There ware a lot of parent volunteers and we feel welcome.
—Submitted by a parent

My two children attended Silver Firs from 1997 to 2001, from 1st thru 5th grade. While individual teachers varied from o.k. to excellent, our overall experience with Silver Firs was that it is just an average, traditional school, and it doesn't really offer a lot of educational options. Coming from another (better) district, we know there is a lot of room for improvement at Silver Firs.
—Submitted by a parent

My older daughter attended Silver Firs from 3rd-5th grade and it was a great experience. Her teachers were wonderful and her 4th & 5th grade teacher whom she looped with really prepared her for the honors program at the junior high level. My younger daughter has finished k and 1st with equally nice results. Parents are very involved and the P.R.I.D.E. program establishes a wonderfully polite and respectful community for all involved. The music and PE teachers are very loving and enthusiastic as well as being very qualified.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Silver Firs is a fantastic school. The children are hard workers and do their best each day. They consistently do well on standardized test. We offer music, technology, gym and library to each child. We have a PRIDE program that encourages the children to take pride in themselves as well as our school. The PTA offers many other extracurricular activities and sponsors many family events. Our school offers foreign language classes and a chess club is beginning in the fall. We have a large PTA that is very supportive and involved.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best school you will ever find.
—Submitted by Kelly Schwend, a former student

Patty Gauksheim is a very hands on principal. She is out there with the kids in the lunch room, at recess, popping into the classrooms, etc. All of the teachers I've had the pleasure of working with have the best interest of their students. They have a math club where kids can join to get extra help - and it's fun. It's a positive experience, not a negative one. The PTA is highly involved with the school and seems to bend over backwards for the teachers and staff. Parental involvement is crucial to success and Silver Firs has a large share of parents who volunteer via PTA or classroom. We love our school and have had a wonderful experience for the past five years.
—Submitted by a parent