Lafayette Elementary School

Lafayette is a GREAT school, so what's with all the 1 star ratings? I could understand a few low scores... you can't please everyone. But the volume of '1 star' ratings here smacks of an organized attack by a single person or small group. I have 2 daughters attending Seattle public schools. The oldest went to a different elementary school. She recently attended the science fair at Lafayette with her younger sister and she expressed amazement at the superior community participation and sophistication of projects at Lafayette. Then she absolutely fell in love with the 'Harry Potter' themed class room. By the end of the night she was literally upset, because while she had enjoyed her own elementary school experience, seeing Lafayette had made her a bit jealous. Check out the school for yourself. If you're sending your kids to school for a quality education Lafayette is an excellent choice. Our youngest loves the school. And as a parent I love seeing her score well above average on state assessments.
--Submitted by a parent

Yes, not every school is a good fit for every kid. But, to blame Lafayette for the over-enrollment or District-wide problems is un-informed. Nothing would make the staff and parents happier than having less kids at the school. But, the principal has nothing to do w/ enrollment. Yet, given the huge burden of an extra 110 students, she has done an amazing job. It's true she's not 'touchy-feely', but she fights for every penny she can get from the District to improve the experience our kids have there. I can only hope the new principal fights as hard! I have one kid in and one not in Spectrum. Kids rarely talk about it, nor do the teachers or staff. A few parents talk about it, but the Spectrum program represents only 1/3 of the school. It does not define the school. I have been at the school for 6 years - it's a wonderful school, w/ great parent involvement. My kids have never had any disciplinary action taken against them, and any shift in the discpline I would attribute to the Asst. Principal (who is also leaving). The majority of the teachers are top notch. In fact, one of their 2nd grade teachers (a non-Spectrum teacher), is one of the BEST in the District!
--Submitted by a parent

My child attends Lafayette and loves it there. All of the teachers have been excellent and passionate about their pupils' education. They certainly stress the academics, but isn't that the reason children go to school - to get an education? Fun & creativity aren't lost at all. My child's growth in reading, creative writing & art have been impressive at Lafayette. The principal is very candid and very accessible to parents. I can see how her personality may rub some folks the wrong way. However, we appreciated the strong leadership she provided during recent times of very high enrollment . We will miss her after she leaves for a different school in the fall. Parents are very involved through a very active PTA. Their fundraising supports school tutors, teachers and a huge playground improvement coming this summer.
--Submitted by a parent

disappointing, disappointing, disappointing. lucky enough to be able to withdraw and enroll elsewhere. seattle public schools are awful and lafayette is no exception.
--Submitted by a parent

Our kiddo had a good experience there, briefly. She's a sunny kid who made some friends at the school and would do well anywhere. But we feel that she was lucky to stay out of the radar of the principal, and this year we've enrolled her in another nearby school. We were unsettled by the treatment that the principal meted out to children. Yes, I know that many high performing environments are like that, and that capable people who are disciplined and berated beyond "reasonable" limits for their faults by highly demanding superiors do excel. An unkind and dispiriting series of disciplinary actions against a frend's child made up our minds, along with the wealth of good elementaries in the area. Academically, Lafayette is as good as others, but on a personal level we feel relieved to be out of there.
--Submitted by a parent

This school may be the "best elementary school in the district" but when you have a district filled with failing schools, budget cuts, and an embezzling superintendent, that isn't saying much! SEVERELY overcrowded school. Disciplinary action is over the top yet preventative action is lacking. Even the best teachers are given the short end of the stick with a full class and no aide, and the worst teachers are bound by tenure and not going anywhere. Excellent parental involvement, but really, what choice do parents have with such overcrowded classes? The idea of neighborhood schools sounds great, except they have closed so many other schools in the city and added so many out of neighborhood students that it dilutes the effectiveness. This school is getting worse by the day. We were lucky enough to remove our child from this school and go private!
--Submitted by a parent

We found Lafayette to be a rigid institution with a 'my way or the highway' principal and a preponderance of old school style teachers who seemed to relish taking disciplinary action at the slightest provocation. So happy to be out of there and in a school with a caring, accessible principal, a friendly, inclusive staff, committed teachers who don't freak out when five and six-year-olds act their age, and a parent community that isn't competitive and obsessed with getting their kid into Spectrum by any means possible.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm really disappointed with this school, cold principal and staff. Very limited after school activities and a cliquey parent group.
--Submitted by a parent

My kids have attended Lafayette for 5 years. I have one in Spectrum and one in regular. I have been happy with both programs. It does lack on creative learning, but covers reading, writing well and math very well. Kids are a bit stressed which I don't like at all, but the kids are learning the basics which they don't at other schools. My kids have great study habits, great friends and really nice families. Fundraising supports school tutors, teachers and playground improvements. Great additions are the school Play, music program and school Play.
--Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately, I can't give this school 0 stars so I'll give it 1 for the new assistant principal. Lots of super-competitive children and parents. There are some OK teachers here but, really, most are average and bowing to a principal with test scores on her mind. School work is harsh and creativity is minimal. I am looking around for a new school.
--Submitted by a parent