University Cooperative School

My kids attended this school from kindergarten through fifth grade and what a blessing! I should say that our entire family attended this school, because it is a school that includes and nurtures the whole family.
University Cooperative School has the most amazing teachers, and the great thing is that because they utilize a multi-​age approach for some subjects, the kids have the same group of teachers for three years. There is no substitute for this continuity — it enhances academic and social learning.
This school takes an approach to learning that gets kids involved and interested. The kids work hard on their projects and take pride in their work. The parents are included every step of the way.
The luckiest kids in Seattle are found at University Cooperative School!

I was a student at University Cooperative School (or «U Co-​op» as we called it) from 1996 to 1998. Back then, U Co-​op was in the original building and only taught kindergarten through 2^nd grade. Since then they have moved to a different building and added grades 3 – 5. As an alumni of this school, I passionately and wholeheartedly encourage you to send your kids to this school. You should also encourage your neighbors, nieces, nephews, and friends to go to this school. It IS that special.
When I went to this school, I loved it. Now I am in my 20s and when I think about everything this school taught me I am overwhelmingly grateful. Most schools can teach your kids math, writing, reading, and all of the other basics, but U Co-​op teaches all of that and more. U Co-​op taught me about respect, integrity, creativity, sharing with others, believing in myself and my capabilities, compassion, acceptance, confidence, and humility. It is a place where diversity is celebrated. I learned about the practices of many different cultures, spoke Spanish, made Native American fishing hooks out of soaked wood and honored Martin Luther King Jr. in a play.
I remember on Mondays we got to volunteer at the food bank. We didn’t interact with the public. Instead we helped prepare paper bags full of canned food, bread, and diapers. I don’t know if students still do this or not, but it was a wonderful experience. As 1^st graders we would vie for the chance to go to the food bank. Whoever didn’t get to go could go the following week but I think the fact that students would get really excited about helping the community is a huge testament to what U Co-​op instilled in us.
Honestly, I think of this school as my third parent because it shaped me into the person I am today just as much as my mom and dad did. I truly believe that the world would be a better place if going to the University Cooperative School was a requirement for everyone. (Of course, then the classes wouldn’t be as small!) The teachers, students, and families that make up this school are outstanding and they really come together to create a wonderful community. It is truly a gift. One of my best friends to this day is someone I went to this school with. So while I don’t know where life will take me, I know that when I have kids someday I will want to live in Seattle just so I can send them to this school.

University Cooperative School is a warm, caring, challenging, stimulating place for children to learn. The educators at U-​Coop are passionately committed to their vision that «Childhood is a Journey, Not a Race» and they create time and opportunity for kids to be kids, while still pushing each child forward at the right pace for their own academic progress. Each grade level is wonderfully small (12 – 14 children) but the students also get plenty of time in larger mixed-​age groupings. The school building is inspiring: reading lofts, large play areas, plants, animals, art spaces, music spaces, cozy spaces, open spaces… it’s the opposite of spending year after year in square, soul-​less classrooms. Being located a block from Cowen Park means the kids get outside every day.
U-​Coop is a true Co-​op: parents assist the teaching faculty in the classrooms, do all kind of jobs to keep the school running, and form a true community. My son just started kindergarten at U-​Coop in September, and already I know all his classmates and friends, and their families. I’m thrilled that our family is part of this supportive experience, and my son’s review is below:
«It’s really good, because you get to do a lot of learning, and playing tag, and going to the park. When you’re in Katy’s class, you do calendar, and it’s sometimes tricky because she makes us, like, memorize every day of the week. And we get to do music class once a week, art class twice a week, and Spanish once a week. And on Friday you can get pizza. If you know how to play four-​square you can play four-​square. And if you don’t, they’ll just teach you and you can play four-​squre if you want. That’s it.»

Each of my kids have their own way of learning and engaging in their communities. U-​Coop encourages each to be who and what they are, to find their passion. It is a school that strives to teach through experiences. I am jealous of my kids school and wish that I had had the opportunity to go here as a child. The only gripe I have is it being not a neighborhood school the kids do not know that many kids close to home.

University Cooperative has been nothing short of fantastic. The teachers are not only caring, but truly passionate about teaching. We had our son overseas with us for several years, and attended what many believe to be «the best schools,» one in Paris and the other in Munich. While the academics were very good and super competitive, we always felt something was missing. University Cooperative has filled that void. My unique, smart, and passionate child is honored as an individual, fully active in his own learning process by way of hands-​on-​learning, and above all, supported in a community as he strengthens his social and emotional skills along the way. University Cooperative is a special place and we are fortunate to be a part of this true work of art.