Highland Park Elementary School

We love the positive and inclusive climate at this school. The class sizes are small (~15-16), the building is new, and the teachers and staff we've gotten to know have been kind and skilled, with excellent understanding of their students and the motivation to support them on their individual journeys. If you read the OSPI statistics you will see how this title 1 school stands out as a positive amongst others. There is a PTO too!

My child has been at roxhill since kindergarten and is now in 4th grade. It is a warm, supportive and diverse school. I appreciate the small size (about 2 classes per grade) which means all teachers and principal seem to know all students by name. It has a well curated library, a very passionate art teacher and weekly music class plus the addition of instrumental music in 4th and 5th grade which not all sps schools have. We have a new principal this year and she has been very available and communicative with parents. The teachers have been very consistent with many teachers having been at roxhill for 10+ years and are all passionate educators who are very invested in the kids they teach. I know parents often use this website to look at test scores. One of the things I love about roxhill is its diversity, there is not one majority minority culture but many different cultures and languages spoken and teachers encourage kids to share about their cultures. I think the test scores likely reflect the many ESL students who, as is the nature of public school, can join at any time in any grade and the ways that standardized testing may not capture a these students abilities. My child’s test scores have consistently been above grade level in reading and math without any extra support given at home so I feel confident the teachers are teaching the curriculum thoroughly and that the benefits of being at a school that supports kids social emotionally in a diverse setting cannot be captured in test scores.

At Westside, the student support team has provided truly exceptional, neurodiverse-affirming support for my children with ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. I am deeply grateful that this is a school where my kids are genuinely valued as full members of the community and are never judged for their differences.We chose Westside because we wanted an environment that prioritizes holistic growth—where learning extends beyond academics to include social and emotional development. My children certainly face challenges, but at Westside they are not defined by them. Instead, they are thriving, supported, and equipped with the tools they need to grow into confident, capable adults.

Three plus years ago, we were researching schools for our daughter to start Kindergarten. We went to an OPEN HOUSE, heard a great talk by Principal Temme, met some teachers and parents, and decided to have Annika start with Holy Family. 3 years later, we cannot think of any other school for her to be at until the 8th grade. Great faculty, active parents and local community, and an updated renovation of the school itself are just some of the reasons to give this a 5 star rating it deserves. The school takes ownership of every one of the students, and provides a safe and nurturing environment for all. The bilingual aspect is a piece of this as well, and Annika enjoys reading, writing and speaking in Spanish . Double thumbs up from the Obrien family, and GO FALCONS