The Perkins School

9005 Roosevelt Way Northeast

Seattle, WA 98115

31 Reviews

School District
Grade

K-5
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on March 08, 2024

We have been at Perkins for 7 years (2 children). This school is an AMAZING place! If you're looking for an affordable independent school with a close-knit community that prioritizes high quality education - this is it!
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2024

My older child is a current 1st grader and began at Perkins as a "Kindie" (Kindergartener). I cannot say enough good things about this school, and how thankful I am to have Perkins as "our" school. We were zoned for excellent public schools and assumed our child would attend one of those. However, I had often driven past Perkins and I Googled it, and the rest is history as they say. We found excellent communication and transparency about who the school leaders and teachers were, and we were able to imagine the adults and the school community that would surround our child. Firstly, the leadership at this school is phenomenal. They stand outside rain, shine or snow, and personally greet each child every single morning. By the end of the first week of school, it was obvious that they actually knew each kid, and helped to create the most welcoming environment each one. Barry and the other school staff regularly roam the halls and classrooms, getting involved in class activities. This kind of presence and engagement helps the children to see that learning is full of helpful, caring adults, and that the classroom is not just a kids' world with a few teachers, but rather an open, flexible, and welcoming community for anyone.The teachers are amazing. They show up with huge smiles and bright spirits to all sorts of in-school and after-school activities, for example to admissions period weekend welcomes and curriculum nights for the parents. It's evident that they feel valued and important (as they are!), and they seem just as dedicated to creating a collegiate environment for one another as they do for the kids. This again exudes that sense of community that absolutely informs the tone within the school. The children are supportive of one another to a degree that really surprised me. My favorite example is the weekly assemblies where the entire school gathers for presentations by the children and staff. The fifth graders are attentive, kind and supportive for every younger child that gets up to speak, and everybody is thrilled to hear how children across the grades have been tackling their school work. I really enjoy the focus on process--for example the strategies they used to tackle a new question--rather than the act of getting an answer. It reminds me of college and beyond, and I know my child is being prepared for complex thought, the ability to articulate herself, and to do so in a collaborative and joy-filled fashion. Thank you thank you Perkins!
Submitted by parent on February 09, 2024

Our kids have loved their experience at Perkins! We've been at Perkins for five years now, and regularly make the 30-minute drive (one way) to school because it's such a wonderful place for our kids! Unlike many other independent schools, Perkins places a very high level of importance on building community within the school, and on the social and emotional health of each child. Perkins has a down-to-earth, kind and loving feel that runs through the faculty, staff, parent community and the kids. It's such a rare find! In addition to building a strong academic foundation for success, every Perkins student enjoys the experience of being truly known by every teacher, and most of the students know each other. This creates a truly "small town" community feel and one that is overwhelmingly positive! This school does differentiate for ability in the core subjects, and also provides enriching "specialist" subjects for a well-rounded overall education. We can't imagine our kids being anywhere else!
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2022

Perkins is an amazing school - I simply cannot say enough positive things about my experience after just a few short months! Our daughter is currently a kindergartner at Perkins and, like many others, we considered other private and gifted schools in the Seattle area. We poured a lot of effort into finding the right academic program that was differentiated, fostered a love of learning/curiosity, emphasized social emotional learning, and created an inclusive community. Perkins delivers on all these fronts, but what tipped the scales in favor of Perkins last year was the community feel and the type of childhood school experience my daughter would have at Perkins. It is the type of school where you drop your kids off in the morning and the Head of School is there to welcome them in, where teachers walk the halls drinking coffee and playing the guitar to wish everyone a beautiful day and quickly check-in, and where parents are welcomed to explore the latest and greatest projects covering the walls of the halls and the classrooms. The teachers and administration at Perkins have created a warm, welcoming environment that is filled with joy and celebrates the best of what it means to be a child - to love learning, to be curious, to develop empathy, and to get messy! It takes a lot to get all of those things right and after having parent-teacher conferences in late October, I was blown away by how the school did all that plus REALLY got to know our daughter. They summed up her strengths and areas for development - academically and socially/emotionally - to a "T" and it was incredibly clear through all their examples how they've been able to support her accelerated development in reading/math while making sure she's building strong fundamentals and learning how to work well with others to figure out a "math challenge". Our daughter is absolutely thriving in every way I hoped that she would and I could not be happier that we followed our gut instinct on what separates Perkins apart from other Seattle area private school as opposed to making a decision based on brand alone - it's such a special community that I feel our family is so fortunate to be a part of!
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2022

Our older son goes to the Perkins School since first grade, and we pulled him out of the Catholic school in our neighborhood because he wasn’t being academically challenged nor encouraged to speak up his mind (we are not religious). Being one of the highly capable children, Perkins is able to meet him at his level and provide more challenges academically and support him emotionally. He loves going to school every day and he likes every teacher there, also he enjoys spending time with all the animals in school quite a bit. When we toured we were very impressed with the science, math and music teachers, and we appreciate the warmth and passion coming from the head of the school Barry and the admin team.
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2022

I have two children at Perkins. We love it! The teachers keep content fluid and relevant to what the kids are interested in. As they get older they are given more responsibility, which my child thinks can be unfair at times. However, Perkins is setting them up for future success in Middle School. The teachers are always available to listen to parents and are flexible to meet children at each level individually. There aren't any "groups" at the school like "smart kids" or the "dumb kids" they respect each other's mistakes and successes. There aren't uniforms however, the kids all dress modestly. No showing off of characters on their clothes or mocking someone for holes in their pants. In fact, kids come dressed to get dirty. Holes in their pants are a fond reminder of the time they did a cool new trick on the ropes outside that resulted in the hole they now wear proudly.
Submitted by parent on December 10, 2021

Both my children go to Perkins. They absolutely love it from day 1. Strong focus on science and math. Kids love the animals they get to cuddle. Awesome teachers with diverse backgrounds. My kids have not complained about any teachers they have met so far in their learning.
Submitted by parent on December 06, 2021

Perkins is an amazing school! The teachers, administrators and staff are warm and very invested in the students, as well as having great communication with parents. Our daughter had an incredible experience at Perkins. Highly recommended!
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2021

After several wonderful years at a play-based outdoor preschool, our family was looking for an elementary program that embraced the joy and wonder of childhood while also challenging students academically and cultivating a genuine love of learning. Perkins has exceeded our expectations in all respects. We have been especially impressed with the quality of the teachers and the general warmth and connectedness of the school community. The head of school (who is phenomenal) greets students by name each morning, and the entire faculty and staff work together to create a positive and nurturing environment. Perkins has a state of the art science building, a community garden and a fantastic playground with real dirt, water, and places to climb. Students spend lots of time outside (rain or shine!) and also have PE every day. Perkins is a small school, but the administration manages its resources well and invests heavily in teachers and teaching. Unlike most peer schools, the kindergarten class is taught by two full-time lead teachers (as opposed to a teacher and an assistant), along with a robust team of learning specialists who push into the class throughout the day. So, for example, for literacy they are able to split the class into three sections of 6-7 students (based on reading level). Both of our children have thrived at The Perkins School - they love their teachers, have wonderful friends, and have skyrocketed in confidence and academic ability. I have also been impressed with how Perkins has handled the pandemic. They made significant investments (hiring additional teachers, upgrading the HVAC, purchasing additional technology) to be prepared for both in-person and virtual scenarios. Thanks to these investments, the school was able to further reduce its (already small) class sizes and offer full time in-person learning for almost all of the 2020-2021 school year.Note: the information on Great Schools appears to be somewhat out of date. Current enrollment is approx 110 students.
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2019

Having worked in private schools in Seattle, I highly value education and was very discerning when choosing a school for our daughter. After touring most of the private schools in the area, Perkins stood out as a place where our daughter would grow to love learning and would be able to step out of her comfort zone and take on new challenges. Despite being accepted into other better-known private schools, the Perkins School was our first choice. Since starting Kindergarten here in the fall, this school has far exceeded our high expectations. Until this fall, our daughter was a perfectionist, typically avoiding any activity that was difficult for her. During the first few days of kindergarten, our shy daughter barely said a word. In just three months at Perkins, she has transformed into a confident and sociable risk-taker who loves learning. She now looks upon difficulties as learning opportunities. The girl who used to beg to stay home from school last year now pleads to go to school even on the weekends! This school is really thriving under Barry Wright’s leadership. The teachers work hard and create a welcoming and caring environment for both the parents and students. The students here are happy and the hands-on learning environment sparks their curiosity and keeps them engaged. The after-school program here is also excellent. I can’t say enough good things about this amazing school!
Submitted by parent on December 02, 2019

This is such an amazing school for my daughter. It's STEM based with art integrated with pretty much everything they are studying. They teach the kids about emotional intelligence, how to deal with difficult situations, sustainability, and other social issues. The school is small so the student to teacher ratio is about 10:1 and they put kids in different math groups based on each kid's learning style and progress. Could not be happier with Perkins.
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2018

Our daughter *loves* being a Kindergartener at Perkins. She adores her teachers, enjoys the hands-on approach to science, and appreciates the personalized, ability-based reading curriculum. She comes home excited about what she's learned that day, and frequently announces to mom and dad that she loves learning. I am thrilled to see my daughter be so excited about school, and I credit Perkins for instilling that passion in her.
Submitted by parent on January 12, 2018

Perkins is one of a kind. It sets the bar of what schools should be like for students so they stay deeply passionate about learning in an environment that is thoughtful, caring and meaningful. The teachers are deep thinkers who look at my child as a special individual, helping her develop confidence and be happy. I wish I had attended Perkins; I would have had a better attitude about school.
Submitted by parent on December 12, 2016

We have been thrilled with Perkins! After Kindergarten, I thought we can't top this year. First grade did. Second & third grades were just as fabulous. Teachers are thoughtful in their approach to education with meaningful projects, a variety of teaching methods & styles, and a gentle, loving demeanor that makes students want to rise to their expectations. Teachers meet the individual academic needs of students while addressing their social/emotional needs. Barry, the Head, is approachable and fun-loving. Perkins is a gem!
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2016

We have been so thrilled and grateful for our two children having attended and attending Perkins. For us, three values of Perkins make the school truly stand out - community, curiosity, and commitment. The staff, teachers, and families strongly believe in the school and together built an inclusive community of lots of laughs and respect. We were drawn to Perkins values of nurturing and expanding the innate curiosities of the children. And we have seen our children flourish as indenpendent thinkers with natural inquisitiveness at the world around them. The staff and teachers are committed to their work, and engage each student's unique strengths within a community of mutual respect and shared values. It's a remarkable school that nurtures, encourages, and inspires each child to grow and discover.
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2016

We have one child in 3rd grade at Perkins and a recent graduate. They have flourished in every grade level at Perkins--academically, physically, socially and emotionally--and both have developed a genuine love of learning. Our oldest left well-prepared for success in middle school as an advanced learner. The small class sizes and teacher/student ratios allow students to be challenged to reach their full academic potential, regardless of ‘level’. P.E. every day is an invaluable outlet that contributes success in the classroom. The teaching staff is empowered and engaged which is evident in their teaching and integrated curriculum. There is constantly a ‘buzz of excitement’ at the school whether it be students conducting a hands-on science experiment, solving a complex math problem, hosting a French café, playing a new instrument, or learning or experiencing something new. The school culture is inclusive and accepting which creates a uniquely warm and caring school community. I HIGHLY recommend Perkins to anyone looking for a well-rounded, engaging and nurturing elementary school experience!
Submitted by parent on November 30, 2016

I have one child currently attending Perkins and one who graduated from the school. I believe the school's integrated focus on socio-emotional growth along with a strong academic curriculum creates engaged learners who are not only advanced academically, but also know how to question and think critically. My husband and I wanted a school where our childeren would love learning. Since school has always been fun to them, I didn't fully appreciate how well-prepared Perkins graduates are until my oldest child entered middle school and had academic, analytical, and organizational skills beyond those of many of her new peers.
Submitted by parent on November 29, 2016

I have been so happy with Perkins for the past two years. Each new project or lesson makes me wish I were enrolled myself. I really wanted my son to walk away from elementary school with a zeal for learning and I think Perkins has been a great fit.
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2016

We have two daughters attending 1st and 3rd grades at Perkins. Both girls love to go to school! My older daughter attended a different school for kindergarten and 1st grade. At Perkins, she has come alive in a way she never did at the other school. Perkins teachers are outstanding, the curriculum is integrated and well thought out, and the school culture is joyful and warm. We appreciate all of the school specialists (music, art, PE, French language, and science) as well as the quality of the core teaching staff. We are delighted with our experience at Perkins and highly recommend this school to others looking for a small, progressive school that fosters a love of learning in children.
Submitted by parent on November 28, 2016

I have a student who has spent the past 4 years at Perkins and is excited about spending all of the elementary school years there. We came in as a family with high academic expectations paired with a genuine love for learning and community. We found all of the above at Perkins. Our child loves the science program (the Perkins science classroom and experience is one of a kind), the caring community that brings out the best in all children, and especially the 1:1 attention that succeeds in supporting each child to perform at their highest level. I am already confident that our child will enter middle school with above average academic readiness, a passion for learning, and, most of all, happiness and confidence. We looked at a lot of independent schools, and this one stood out by far.