Gatewood Elementary School

This school has had its ups and downs for years. We had two children there five years ago, and perhaps things have improved, but we were frustrated with lack of challenge for high-performing kids, as well as with lack of staff in areas like art and PE (the school has a great gym that has gone unused without a PE teacher). We were also taken aback to discover that our kids were being used to mentor underperformers from nearby public housing but weren't being coached to their own potential. Which may be why when we moved to another city, our "top performing" kids had some catching up to do. Gatewood does a decent job with a very mixed community, but if the school doesn't do more for its advanced students it will continue to lose them.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is in kindergarten at Gatewood. We were originally disappointed that we didn't get into a different school. But we couldn't be happier with Gatewood. The school is a hidden gem with a unique approach that promotes individual attention and challenges each child at their level (rather than an arbitrary one-size-fits-all level). Grades are banded together and team taught. So, K and 1st grade classes are teamed together with two teachers. This allows all kids to know more than one adult in the building well and for them to know each child. It also allows kids to go into different reading and math groups depending on their level. The community is a welcoming, down-to-earth group committed to quality education for all. Our PTA raises money to keep classes sizes smaller and develops after school additional enrichment such as Spanish, sign language, science bloopers, piano, etc.
—Submitted by a parent

Gatewood is a very progressive school, using real-life projects to teach kids basic skills and relevant knowledge. It has a very creative approach that engages kids at all levels. It mixes kids from different grades together. Both the faculty and the student body reflects the diverse neighborhood.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is great about not letting a child fall behind, or 'hide in the back of the class'. When we moved here at the end of the school year two years ago, I didn't know how much my son was not learning, because he was 'hiding in the back of the class'. He ended up repeating that grade, but I saw a huge improvement over the previous year. If parents are involved in the childs education, teachers will go the extra mile and then some. I was amazed how much just stating my concerns to the teachers during a conference made a difference. Now, because all the teachers in the school know how we expect all of our children to perform grade wise, the teachers are there to keep our three kids at that level. The whole staff is quick to respond to questions either by phone or email.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two sons, one whom has been through Gatewood K-5, and another who just entered first grade. Neither have had a great learning experience. The two year grouping rarely works. Neither of my boys ever had a teacher two years in a row and the homework is a joke. The staff seems more interested in the parent reading program than anything else. I would have just been happy with some proven, traditional teaching methods. I am switching my youngest son out as soon as I can'.
—Submitted by a parent

I just moved to Seattle this year and my son is in the Kindergarten class. He is an older kindergartener so I really appreciate that he can be challenged by the first grade level work. The teachers have been wonderful and he is very happy at this school. He is already reading at a third grade level and the teachers are very perceptive to his needs and give him materials that both engage and challenge him. The classroom environment is creative, nurturing, inviting and respectful. I am also very happy with the low student/teacher ratio which I have heard is very unusual in the Seattle school system
—Submitted by a parent

I have been with Gatewood Elementary for 2 years and I am impressed with the staff and teachers. They take time out of their day everyday for parents and students. I have enjoyed this school and my son loves going to school everyday. :)
—Submitted by a parent

For seven years we have been very pleased with the quality and caring of the staff and teachers at Gatewood. Now there is a new principal and the standards are even higher. The Gatewood Restructuring Profile is a great construct with which to organize a school, and it shows. Both my kids love going to school because it's fun to learn. Parent involvement has been growing by leaps and bounds. At least four new programs/activities are added each year.
—Submitted by A. Menin, a parent

I transfered to Gatewood in fourth grade. I felt so welcome and I really appreciated it. I really started enjoying to read when I started going there because they showed me that it all depended on the book I'm reading. If you are looking for a good school for your children, please do concider Gatewood Elementry.
—Submitted by a former student

Although the Seattle School District is known for having average schools that are not much to brag about, I was very pleased to find Gatewood. The staff has been very supportive of my son's learning challenges. He is doing well and excelling. There has never been a time when he has felt discouraged. That is key to successful students.
—Submitted by Joleen Russ, a parent