Open Window School

6128 168th Place Southeast

Bellevue, WA 98006

20 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on November 28, 2023

Teachers are disengaged and rely on tech and screens way too much to teach even at lower grades.
Submitted by parent on October 22, 2018

I couldn't ask for a better experience. I felt compelled to write a review because I feel like MANY of the comments below are strongly worded one way or the other. If you're using this as a meter, then I would report that the school is caring and realistic about the academic and personal abilities of your child. They are careful to say that it isn't a school that tailors the education of each student, but I feel like the teachers put some serious effort into appropriately challenging each student individually.The teaching and counseling staff try really hard to find the strengths of your child and help them continue enthusiastically down the learning path. Equally, they get to know areas where your child has less confidence and help promote ways to improve. There isn't a question that the admissions staff tries really hard to vet children (and probably, to some extent, families) who will work well in a classroom together for 8 years. Alternately, the families I have seen leave or feel unsatisfied are those where the family is strongly (maybe ONLY) academically minded. Another problematic fit seems to be kids who have disruptive learning disabilities combined with ongoing, problematic social interactions (one or the other seem to be handled really well). If you are looking to help your child (and classmates) build character and develop true leadership skills (critical thinking, resolving conflict, brainstorming creative ideas, etc.) then I would wholeheartedly promote Open Window School.
Submitted by parent on September 29, 2018

Excellent!!! We are very lucky to have found Open Window (and we moved across the country). The whole community - from faculty, staff, students, and parents are so welcoming, not pretentious at all (for a private school), and have a passion for seeing everyone succeed.
Submitted by parent on March 16, 2018

I felt the school was no different than the public school. Still lots of bullying. The school spends way too much time asking for donations.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2018

My Kindergartener comments out-of-blue several times a week that he loves his school and said this morning he wishes he could rate it, so here we are :)I'm extremely happy with the school: It seems all the lower school specialists manage to work physical activity into their lessons, children are treated with respect and have SEL built into daily activities. The teachers and staff are highly conscientious, constantly revising their curriculum and methods based on outcomes, the latest in educational research, and community feedback. Just driving onto campus each morning feels good, because everything is done so well. The active and supportive parent community is wonderful. Lots of helpful parent Ed talks and resources (and plenty of nerdy, type A parents as you might imagine, that tend to knock whatever task they've volunteered for out of the park). Of course, each year is going to be different depending on the mix of parents, students, and faculty but the institutional structure of constant improvement and community involvement is one of the best I've seen.Reading the other reviews: I can empathize, but have to say 1) If pure acceleration is what you're looking for, keep in mind that reading ahead in a textbook will always be a cheap alternative that you can do on your own, but access to an enriched environment with excellent human resources, technology, and opportunities to collaborate are really valuable. 2) I can personally attest to the fact that reports of bullying are now taken VERY seriously. When my son was acting aggressively they contacted us immediately, provided counseling resources, and consistently followed up with us on any reoccurrences according to a signed intervention agreement to modify his behavior at home as well as school. And it worked! I also really appreciate the fact that my son is now middle-of-the-pack in terms of intellect and assertiveness, finding friends with similar interests and abilities. And I've been able to relax around the other parents who share similar experiences of parenting exceptional kids. Hope this is helpful; I know picking a school is a big decision and the cost is significant. All I can say it that we really love Open Window.
Submitted by parent on September 21, 2017

There is a great deal I love about this school which became more evident once my kids graduated and went on to public. They were more than prepared, not just with material but with an ability to time manage, study, write, work within a group and create. Even in honors classes at the high school, their ability to think beyond their peers was obvious. I credit the school and teachers for this.When we were there, the homework and projects (mostly done at home) were over the top. I nearly pulled my children out. However, we have another at the middle school and it has changed quite a bit for the better. It has been worth it for us!
Submitted by other on May 01, 2017

Our son went from K-8 at Open Window and had an excellent experience. The presentation skills, study skills, time management, interpersonal skills, and positive attitude towards learning were all instilled at OWS. He is now a junior in high school and consistently getting the highest marks and upper 1% on testing. He is typically 2 years ahead in his education. Most importantly - he still loves learning. If your child has behavioral issues, OWS is likely not your best option. If you just want constant drilling, this is not your school. If you have a bright kid and you want them to have a great K-8 experience - Open Window was a fantastic experience for us.
Submitted by parent on August 08, 2016

Wonderful school, truly caring faculty and staff, innovative and progressive curriculum, great community, fair and thorough admission process. I'm very disappointed in the pervious parent's review. The school makes a great effort to make sure everyone feels included. It's part of their mission statement! If this school can't meet someone's academic expectations I wish them good luck finding anything better.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2016

If your child is very far advanced, the curriculum will not extend far enough for them. We were told our child couldn't work further ahead because they didn't have the capacity to go that far in advance once he hit middle school. Not worth the $ if there is still not a challenge. Also felt it was very difficult to come in at a grade other than Kindergarten. Culture can feel exclusive.
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2016

We spent a lot of time looking at our area's excellent schools, trying to find a whole-child approach to education, in which the school nurtures our daughter's character and curiosity as well as her intellect. We found it at Open Window. Teachers quickly respond to parent emails and go the extra mile to make sure my child is supported and happy. We are thrilled that she gets tremendous time for music, PE, Spanish, drama and art at least once a week. She has learned, from kindergarten, how to present her ideas and passions confidently and fluently. My child is happy and resilient, and much of it is due to the Open Window faculty that nurtures her curiosity and encourages her every step of the way.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2015

The curriculum is by far the most challenging and enriching for my child. He finished 2nd grade at 4th grade reading level and 8th grade math. My student was given exceptional attention which was a lost aspect, even in the best rated public school in Washington State. I will never send my child back to public school, especially these days when getting an education is paramount yet most competitive in the Seattle area as ever.
Submitted by parent on January 14, 2015

5th yr at OWS. I asked my kids," Should I rate your school?" This is what they said," Rate 100 stars! We love OWS!" Then started to sing their school song. I just wanted my kids to be happy at school. They are absolutely happy and love their school.
Submitted by parent on December 29, 2014

Our experience with OWS has been outstanding! We carefully considered 3 independent schools as well as our local public school, and we definitely made the right choice with OWS for our son. He is thriving in kindergarten- he loves going to school each morning, and raves about how much fun it is to learn! He is continually challenged at his "just right" level (class is divided into small groups for differentiated learning in math and reading). His kindergarten teacher is extraordinary! We've also been very impressed by his Science, Technology, Music, Drama, and Spanish teachers. Wonderful, welcoming community of involved parents who all highly value education. A+
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2014

This school should be avoided if your child is on the higher spectrum of giftedness. During the 3 years my child attended, the curriculum was mediocre and my child's teacher for 2 of the 3 years didn't make the grade. Teachers tended to focus more on the social aspect of giftedness and away from education, discouraging curiosity and exploring topics in depth. Also, don't expect your teacher, even with 2 teachers in a class of 20, to complete any reading or math assessments until late December. Very disappointing after paying over 20,000/ year! Now my child is in our local public school gifted program and assessments are completed within the first week of class. Don't walk but run from this school and seek getting your child into your local public gifted school program. Your checkbook will thank you for it!
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2013

Open Windows is a good school overall. The school is beautiful. Grounds are lovely and has amazing views. Teachers are friendly, professional and cordial. There's a new head of school now and he seems to be taking the school in the right direction. Our primary concern: how is OWS truly a gifted school? Our child is in the 99.9%tile and we hoped OWS would provide that differentiated learning approach for these minority students. Honestly, after several years now, we haven't seen it. There's no differentiation or special focus to enable the exceptionally/ profoundly gifted child versus the moderately gifted child whose parents want them on an accelerated track. At the end of the day, there's a vast difference in learning needs between the 99.9% child and the 95-97% child. There's also the overly aggressive parent to watch out for - they will send their child to prep classes/studies in the summer so the child will 'seem' advanced for the new school year...so one can comment there's a high level of parent involvement. These kids tend to bias the teachers to focus on acceleration vs depth and exploration. If your child is moderately gifted, then he/she will do great at OWS.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2013

The process of finding the right fit for our Kindergartner was a stressful one. We wanted a nurturing and supportive environment as well as academic rigor. We feel that we found that at OWS. He is supported and understood as well as encouraged and expected to do his best. What more could we ask for?
Submitted by parent on July 06, 2013

Our son is going into 8th grade at OWS and has been here since preschool. The schools mantra of "Children first, gifted second" is perfect for our son. The instructors have been excellent and definitely challenge all of the students. In a world where EQ and IQ are both vital, Open Window is the best K-8 school we have found.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2013

Prior to moving to Open Window, my son began to lose interest in math - a subject he had previously relished. We felt he was underserved at his prior private school. Open Window advanced him effectively 2 years in math immediately and he now says he loves the school. We have been thrilled to watch his math interest reignited. The teacher understands him well and looks out for him as she does all the other kids. Parent involvement has been great, especially in the chess team. (The kids scored a state championship 1st place trophy this year). The school is relatively young and just last year a new but highly experienced head of school arrived. As such, interest in and response to parent input is exceptional. An exceptional school poised to get even better.
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2012

After 4 years at this school, our whole family still LOVES it here. Great student/teacher ratios, differentiated learning at each child's just-right level, in a wide variety of subjects, amazing teachers and staff, and an engaged and supportive parent community make it a shining example of all that education--gifted or otherwise--can and should be. I wish every child could go to a school like this. A+!
Submitted by parent on June 24, 2012

This school looks beautiful to the drive by observer but the curriculum and teachers do not make the rank. Little emphasis on meeting a gifted child's individual needs, lots of time spent on group projects seeking to bring out creativity stopping short of in depth learning. Definitely an environment where donators are sought over educational excellence.... Too much precious staff hours spent on seeking out donations, ranking classes accoriding to parental donations, seeking parent financial support of building fund, and continuous publication of the latest family donations in the weekly newsletter. I chose to opt out after a couple of years of hoping the school vision would change!