Salmon Bay K-8 School

Salmon Bay School has high academic expectation but enhances this with art, drama, music, and everyday PE. Students and teachers respect each other (everyone at the school calls each other by first names-- even the principal). Kids are taught to work out differences. Families are expected to be involved in the school. It is a good place and the faculty work hard and really care. It is also a K-8 and I like the smaller middle school experience.
--Submitted by a parent

I went to pub school in Seattle & was hoping this would be a step up. Unfortunately, I found my experiences are very similar save for the overly rude, disrespectful behavior displayed by kids, parents & teachers. In 3 yrs I've seen kids use teachers 1st names, parents are more interested in social hour than education & the school draws wealthier people than most. We've had a very difficult time with the kids (bullying that has NEVER been adressed other than to say my son is "too sensitive") & their parents (very uninclusive & more interested in status). It's been said there's a lot of parent involvement but it's the same parents who volunteer - many do nothing. There are very few black people & I've heard statements of "those people" & use of the "N" word. When mentioned, I was told to go to a south end school?!? Average parent age is 45yo & they have a tendency to treat younger parents badly. The best thing I can say - the P.E teacher is awesome but he pushes them really hard (mile runs for kinders). There is a yearly fee, but I guess it isn't considered tuition as funds are for field trips. If you're looking for inclusion, diversity & a modicum of respect, look elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

This school had the diversity of a box of saltine crackers, and none of the taste. Not kind, not inclusive, not even safe.
--Submitted by a parent

Salmon Bay School is a wonderful learning community, where students are encouraged to reflect on their studies and think about how they relate to their communities and world at large. The administration and the teachers encourage experiential and service learning, and incorporate these into students' required subjects. My organization, Bridges to Understanding, has conducted Digital Storytelling programs at Salmon Bay for several years, and I and my colleagues are consistently impressed at the quality education happening at Salmon Bay.

My 2 boys attend the middle school program at Salmon Bay, and I love it. My son with a learning disability is integrated into the classroom and the teachers put forth so much effort into seeing that he excels to the level of expectations we set for him in his learning plan. He has higher self-esteem and a greater love of learning than at any other time in his education. My other son, who is very bright, is also challenged to produce his best effort and is blossoming under the rigorous curriculum. The teachers expect a lot, but they are so caring and understanding. They make sure the students have all of the tools and support they could possibly need to succeed. They communicate wonderfully with parents and make perfect teammates for parents striving to help their children have the best education within an inspiring environment.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a student and like salmon bay. Theres is homework so you do learn stuff. Its light on homework compared to other schools but thats a good thing. You dont hear kids complaining. Parents you need to let up. This school racks. Your not going there your kids are. Back off.
--Submitted by a student

i attended salmon bay K-8, i am a 8th grader now and i couldn't be happier, this school is everything a kid wants. you feel comfortable and confident. some parents don't like the school because its structure, but all the students will tell you they understand their role in the school and are being pushed to achieve. i am not in highschool yet but i feel more than prepared
--Submitted by a student

Principal shows distinct lack of organization and, sadly, minimal interest in students; vice principal is amazing, however! Super teachers, lots of parental involvement, and a palpable sense that the students care about each other make it a great school.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm a current (new) student at Salmon Bay. I've attended for seven days, an already observed that this school has an extremely long wait list, almost no new students, ect. It's so highly desired but I don't know why. It's a somewhat unique school in the way of extracurricular activities, but otherwise, it is completely normal. Nothing special.
--Submitted by a student

I attended Salmon Bay through two buildings, three names, four principals and grades K-8. I went to traditional highschool, and transferred to Nova this year. If your expectations are so high that even Salmon Bay's academics are shoddy, homeschooling is ideal. Another Salmon Bay alumna and I were apparently the only students to find the district-mandated highschool curriculum painfully redundant. When asked how high school compared, I replied with complete sincerity, 'I miss learning.' This was especially true where math was concerned. I learned everything from my 10th-grade biology class four years earlier. I'm having trouble grasping special-ed students being 'scary', because they're mostly Apsergers, i.e., generally uncommunicative. Once a boy threw a desk. He took math independently therehence. If they weren't integrated with 'regular classrooms' I wouldn't have my best friend, who, by-the-way, was neither a major distraction nor did he have daily breakdowns, or, in fact, breakdowns at all.
--Submitted by a former student