Lafayette Elementary School

We love our school! We have great teachers and awesome parents. I wish we have better principal.
—Submitted by a parent

honestly after 2 kids going from k-5 at Lafayette and seeing the unfortunate leadership changes - I would say a lesser school wouldn't have made it through the over crowding and repopulating of the school. The glue that holds this school together is the parents - supper concerned and supportive. There are experienced and highly dedicated teachers. We only had 2 in 12 that weren't great. Kids learn what they should in a supportive community.
—Submitted by a parent

We have a kindergarten student who started at Lafayette this past fall. The school faculty and PTA have been nothing short of welcoming, genuine and professional. We've been very pleased with our daughter's teacher and, although disappointed that the leadership is changing, I don't fault the school for this. If you read through these reviews the most frequent negative comment is about a principal that hasn't been there for over a year. It's really not right that out-dated information is negatively impacting the ratings for such a fantastic school. We consider ourselves very fortunate to be assigned to such a great school and I can honestly say we haven't come across one case of "elitism". A school is as good as you make it. Reach out and be involved and you will have a better experience.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a grandmother of a child who will enter Kindergarten in the Fall and lives in Lafayette's neighborhood school area. I understand the school has undergone a leadership crisis over the last couple years with one Principal after another, the current one leaving soon. I was distressed at some reviews. Comment on lots of bullying, but in particular one or more comments indicating an elitist attitude: it's our school and if you don't like it as is, you may go elsewhere. What on earth is this? I hope it is not a majority view. Lafayette could use some attitude adjustment and people wotj power like the PTSA need to welcome new people and listen with an open mind to concerns. The school needs to fit the children, not the reverse. It is PUBLIC. It does not sound an appealing place to send a 5 year old if a couple of the comments reflect parental attitudes.

Where do I start... 1.We were told in 1st and 2nd grade to study for the MAP test so we can boost the school score. They provide websites with similar problems. 2.Our teachers (aside from our young 1st grade teacher)seem burned out and have no emotion with the students. 3.My wife (who assists in the classroom often) is frustrated with their lesson plans. 4.My son who ace s his spelling test is not allow to receive harder words. 5.Bullying is everywhere and they dont have resources to monitor over 500 students. 6.They have been through 3 principals in 1-2 years. 7. I have a feeling that the spectrum program is the reason for the high scores. Without those stuednets, the school would rank low. Do yourselves a favor and look into private school or Alki or Schmitz park.
—Submitted by a parent

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

Does not live up to its reputation. Large student teacher ratios with a 2-year K-1 population bubble that has created strains on personnel and resources. Emphasis placed on testing (presumably for the $ and recognition those scores represent) and the Principal is difficult - doesn't seem to understand elementary-age children. With a handful of notable exceptions, teaching staff is barely adequate, both in skill and in numbers. Lunches, recesses and other scheduling is too frenetic without enough oversight. Security is questionable. Fairly antiquated corrective action approaches, e.g. multiple-day punishments for younger students. Massive amounts of fundraisers. Bright spots are the new Vice Principal and great families. Make sure you pursue other options if you have them.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two students at Lafayette -- three years experience with this school -- and it has been nothing but the best pleasant surprise. The principal is highly involved, a great candid attitude and accessible to parents. There is an incredibly active parent and PTA base, for which - as a working parent - I am very grateful. My kids are performing at levels way above their class grades and they have been helped there by diligent and interested teachers who have gone out their way to make school interesting for them. I am grateful day in and day out for this school and know to cherish it as once my kids are out of Lafayette, it will be a more difficult public education. I wish the school had smaller classroom size and more spectrum availability but you can't blame the school -- that's our current U.S. economic situation.
—Submitted by a parent

Rock-solid, caring staff with a balanced focus on academics, teacher have creative projects to engage kids beyond rote memory of books, strong committed PTA, friendly families and wonderful student body. Building is a bit dated, and nutrition plan is getting better and much better than most district and American public schools, however there is room for improvement.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school! My children have been here for 6 years of education and I would have to say that they have really flourished in this rigorous traditional educational environment and are leaving very prepared for middle school. I have found the teaching and administrative staff to be very professional and enjoyable to be around. I am always pleased when I talk to the teachers to realize how in touch with my child's learning they are. I volunteer at the school as much as possible and see many other parents there. I think the parent community and PTA are very responsible in meeting the needs of the kids when the district falls short.
—Submitted by a parent

I have 2 kids at Lafayette and have been at the school for 5 years now. I have to say that I'm pretty surprised at the negative comments below. While no school can be perfect for everyone, I've had a wonderful experience at Lafayette. Yes, the principal is very direct, but I love that about her. She's honest and I'd rather have that over someone who's overly politically correct. She also fights incredibly hard to get resources for the school that aren't always available for a school the size of Lafayette. The teachers get along well w/ each other, too. Our major fundraiser, the Walk-A-Thon, is a wonderful example of the community feel the school has. Yes, the school is serious about academics, but not to the detriment of the kids. The teaching style is on the more traditional side, but it's clearly working for the majority of the kids.
—Submitted by a parent