Serene Lake Elementary School

4709 Picnic Point Road

School District

Mukilteo
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 07, 2021

The teachers and staff are AMAZING! Our two kids have gone here for years and each has a different learning style and are both thriving. During the time period that we've been attending, I've noticed the school moving up the ranks and getting better and better with each passing year. Definite progress! I want to give a special shout out to the AWESOME librarian at this particular school. She goes above and beyond to support all the kids at this school, especially since having to transition to distance learning.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2020

My daughter loves her school and every teacher we have had has been amazing and dedicated to learning and the well being of the kids. Serene lake will hold great memories for years to come!
Submitted by parent on August 29, 2020

My daughter has been studying at this school for 4 years. She really likes her teachers. The school has a serious approach to teaching. As a parent, I am very happy with the school.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2018

Our family has had a very positive experience at this school to the point that I no longer trust school ratings. It seems rich areas have great ratings and less economically advantaged areas have low scores. In my experience at a “4” school the rating doesn’t reflect reality. I am coming from the perspective of having come here at the same time as the new principal Lori Bumstead, my son has been at this school for two years, and I volunteer weekly at the school library. The teachers my son has had and the others I’ve observed are excellent. They teach at each child’s level, challenging them individually while also teaching personal responsibility. My son’s teacher this year is renewing her board certification. As a job teaching is extremely busy, yet I have felt she takes the extra time to communicate with parents and teach the children as individuals. Very challenging to do but she does it well. The principal, office staff, PE teacher (they have PE almost daily), music teacher, and librarian are all excellent. They have made our family feel welcome and part of the school community in all interactions. My son often talks about his music and PE teachers, and although I haven’t witnessed those classes his stories relay wonderful educators. I can speak for the librarian Ms. Hall myself having witnessed her teach, and she is a major asset to the school. She runs an awesome program teaching the children at various levels how to access information, she sets up many author visits and Skypes, and comes up with creative ways to get the kids excited about learning and reading. I can’t speak to how this school handles learning disabilities or bullying since I haven’t had experience with either here. I can say my son has some attention issues (according to past schools he has been at) and he has excelled here.The only complaint I have about this school is I wish the facilities were more up to date. I know that depends on already strapped homeowners voting for capital bonds projects, but I do hope that is in Serene Lake’s future. We love this school community and feel very fortunate our son is a part of it. The educators and staff at Serene Lake care about the students and the school, and it shows.
Submitted by other on November 06, 2017

Great school with friendly and professional staff that makes it feel like family.
Submitted by other on October 24, 2016

My child has attended since kindergarten we love it! Great staff and a fun school filled with great resources for family's!
Submitted by parent on March 07, 2014

The leadership program is great and the parents are very involved; however I would like to see more of an emphasis on arts as they are just as important as science and math and can be used to compliment those subjects and increase test scores and engage students.
Submitted by other on March 06, 2014

I was very impressed with Leadership Day at Serene Lake elementary school! Children showed their leadership skills from kindergarten to 5th grade. You could tell they took ownership of their school, their learning and their behavior and they were extremely proud! This could not have happened without strong leadership, guidance and facilitation from the teachers and principal at Serene Lake. The learning environment at the school is very positive and welcoming. Our hope as educators it to see more schools following the footsteps as Serene Lake elementary school teaching and practicing the 7 Habits school wide. You can not put a price on this learning- life long character skills that will make a difference, not only to individuals but to society as a whole. The world will be a better place. -Parent of 3rd grader at Serene Lake & Director of MIA
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2014

Our family has been a part of Serene Lake Elementary (SLE) for 5 years. My kids really enjoy the office personnel and support staff (both at school and in the community) . The school atmosphere is positive and there is a well supported "no tolerance" for bullying policy. They have begun to integrate the "Leader In Me" (based on Steven Covey) program into the school culture recently with great success. And the best kept secret....it is one of the smallest (if not the smallest) elementary schools in the district which translates into a community oriented and neighborhood friendly school. I would like to see more after school programs for all ages and programs for the accelerated student at an earlier age.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2014

Serene lake- We moved to this school 2 1/2 years ago and have had several problems with no resolve from the principal. To start with the positive, the school has a few really good teachers and It is a "bully" free school. Now the negative. Front office staff is unpleasant. Impatient and intolerant school. Unwelcoming atmosphere. I have had several problems with my sons 3rd grade teacher acting rude, belittling, and completely unprofessional at conferences. My children's self esteem has dropped since attending this school. Needless to say we are changing schools.
Submitted by parent on January 13, 2014

This will be my last year at SL as my 5th grader moves on to OV MS. I have had 3 children move through this school so I feel I know a bit about the school & its staff. The office gals are fantastic w/ the kids. I have witnessed their interactions on numerous occasions & they are absolutely wonderful w/ students. My oldest daughter transferred in 3rd grade & her teacher did a fantastic job acclimating her to new surroundings while catching her up in a completely different math curriculum then she had in the past. My 2nd daughter started at SL in kindergarten & had phenomenal teachers, many of whom have been at SL for 15+ years. My son, being adopted, came to SL the beginning of his 4th grade year. He needed a great deal of nurturing along w/ substantial structure. His teacher, the music & gym teacher, para-educators & office staff all helped keep this boy on track-reprimanding him when he mis-behaved while encouraging him when he did well. Because of their support, he has much more respect for adults & himself. I worked w/ 6 different teachers, numerous para-educators & the office staff with no complaints. All have always been helpful! SL is a gem of a school in my opinion.
Submitted by parent on May 23, 2013

Serene Lake - The Office Staff is awful. I think the two secretaries up front might be in a competition to see who can be most condescending to parents. The teachers are wonderful and I have loved all of them! Great school for kids, just a bit scary for the parents who must deal with the office staff.
Submitted by parent on January 28, 2013

Serene Lake is a great school. I have two boys on complete opposite ends of the academic spectrum. One is in the advanced placement program and the other is on a 504 plan for kids needing additional services. I have been an active parent at Serene Lake for 5 years and the best thing about the school is the community. The PTSA, teaching staff and principal all work hard to do the best for our kids.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2012

Talk about feeling unwelcome! The Office staff, namely the Principal, is well known (just ask any parent who is at the school on a regular basis) for being extremely rude and condescending towards parents as well as for physically pushing and or grabbing a students arm as a way to 'direct' them. I have personally witnessed this myself. Take your child down the road to Picnic Point Elementary, where the staff is held to a higher standard.