Geneva Elementary School

the teachers are nice i went there before and it was fun exempt for learning

Ten years with this school has been amazing. My children have thrived, learned, felt loved, made friends, and had wonderful experiences. Highly recommend!

You don’t get to pick the public school you get assigned, and when you buy a house before kids, and for us, it was just not on the radar. We feel so fortunate this is our neighborhood school. I am so curious about the negative reviews, as I’ve always felt supported and encouraged to volunteer and participate within the school community to make it better. It’s not perfect, nor am I, but if I see something I want different, I work to find a solution. I’d say overall I’m so thankful for the schools in this district, and especially grateful for Silver Beach Silverhawk family these past 3 years.

Northern Heights is a great school. All of the teachers we have had through the years have been really good. The principal Pam Pottle really cares about the kids and as another person said knows all of the kids names. The staff are friendly, helpful and make the school a fun place. Our kids love going to Northern Heights.

In my very biased opinion, this is one of the top elementary schools in our area. The current school score is skewed. The equity score is based off extremely bad data unadjusted for statistical variables related to the covid years. Additionally, the Bellingham school district goes above and beyond and they are well funded not only from the State but also through additional voted property taxes. The citizenry of Bellingham prefer, as evidenced by the voting records, to pay additional taxes to ensure public schools have plenty. Renters also contribute to this increased property tax through higher rental rates, which increase each time the property taxes increase.

I am an alumni parent of three sons who went through this school from pre-K to 8th grade. After having six years away from the school after my youngest graduated, I was asked to come back as their enrollment coordinator. I loved the school when my children were there, and I love it now... maybe even more. It is more poignant now that I can look back on it. I see what my adult children received from their time there. Apart from a solid education, and an incredible sense of community, they came away with an ability to think critically and creatively about things. They also carry a deep love for the planet and humanity. A child with a good education is a great, but a child with a good education and a lot of heart is greater.I have read through the reviews on this site, as I should being in my present position at the school, and I was sad to see some of the comments about a perceived deterioration of the school and programs, lack of community, and an exclusivism that denies children with challenging learning styles. I can speak from authority that, at the moment, the school is in the strongest position that I have ever seen in all the years of my connection with it. Enrollment is at an all time high, with wait list for the early childhood classes, the administration is involved, competent and caring, there is a pedagogical committee and pedagogical head that work with all the issues that any school may experience, and children that have learning challenges are always considered. Our main aim is to be honest about being able to serve a child's needs. Our teachers hold degrees as well as a Waldorf teacher training degree, but we do not have on site remedial teachers. It is something that we are striving for in the future. As such, we have to be honest about our limitations. We work closely with private and public school remedial teachers that come in every day to work with our children. The one thing Waldorf education really does understand, is that every child holds unique gifts, and that the world needs all of them. Not everyone can be a CEO or an academic. The teachers are trained to honor each child. If they love learning, it will last a lifetime. I hope that if you are considering Waldorf education, that you come see it for yourself. Take a tour, see the classes for yourself and ask questions. That is the best way to know if it is right for your family.

Bellingham Christian School has been such an incredible place for our children to attend. We love that it feels like an extension of our home, where they are not only getting an outstanding educational experience, but they are also surrounded by teachers, staff and families that share our core values, beliefs and attitudes. BCS has amazing leadership within the staff and such a supportive and involved group of families, I truly cannot imagine sending our children anywhere else.