The Meridian School

My two sons studied there after we moved from Azerbaijan to the United States, and at that time neither my children nor our family spoke English.The staff and teachers showed incredible care, patience, and support. Within just six months, both of my sons became fluent in English, which was an amazing achievement and a life-changing experience for our family.It has been almost three years since we left Seattle and moved to Philadelphia, yet both of my sons still remember Green Lake Elementary School with great love and appreciation. Ms. Nash (Rachel) continues to stay in touch with my son, and as a parent, this means so much to me. It shows how deeply the teachers truly care about their students.We are extremely grateful to Green Lake Elementary School for the kindness, dedication, and support they gave our family. I highly recommend this school to any family, especially those new to the United States.

Our son went to UCDS from K-5. We spent six amazing years at UCDS and were incredibly sad to leave the school at the end of our time there!We loved the focus on SEL, how they taught fundamentals and stretched skills across all fields of academics, and really emphasized on building a diverse and fun community. UCDS creates a yearly theme that guides their curriculum, seamlessly integrating it into all the activities for the kids. This approach ensures that what they learn in one subject can be applied in another, making learning a more interconnected experience. UCDS is a wonderful school and we valued every minute we were part of the school and community.

Our son thrived so well at U Co-op since Kindergarten in the pandemic. His love and passion of learning is the work and culture of the school. The teachers are skilled, thoughtful, very personal and meet every child at their level. Word can't say enough of the community. Strong parent involvement was strongly encourage. The community was like family to us! Childhood is a journey, not a race. We really wish every child in the world should experience their childhood at U Co-op!! The school is magical and truly helps shape children to make the world a better place!!

Northwest Montessori has been an incredible experience for our family. What stands out most to me is how much the school focuses on building the foundations of learning, not just short-term academic results.The philosophy is very child-centered and rooted in curiosity, independence, and experiential learning. What might appear like simple activities are actually very intentional building blocks. For example, when my son started at age three, he spent time polishing wood, metal, and leather. It might seem trivial but those exercises taught focus, care for the environment, and even fine motor control: using the same three fingers needed later for writing. The curriculum is designed to compound over time so skills introduced early resurface later in more advanced forms when the child is developmentally ready.I’ve been equally impressed with the academics. The reading program is grounded in strong phonics instruction and students build a deep understanding of math through hands-on materials like “Racks and Tubes,” which makes long division intuitive and tangible so kids actually understand what they’re doing instead of just memorizing steps.The school also places a strong emphasis on character and interpersonal development. In the elementary classroom, there is a structured conflict resolution process that helps kids learn how to work through disagreements. The school is also screen-free, which I’ve really appreciated, and kids are encouraged to use books, classroom materials, and even real-world experts. I heard a story where students independently (under the guidance of teachers) reached out to a local university professor to deepen their learning, which says a lot about the confidence and initiative the school fosters.Overall, Northwest Montessori is not just preparing students for the next grade. It’s helping them become independent, curious, and capable people. It’s hard to think of anything more valuable in today’s world.

We've had two kids at the Wedgwood campus and have known several families at Woodland Park, all in the primary program (ages 2.5 to 6, including Kindergarten). Our experience with Northwest Montessori has been overwhelmingly positive. The teachers are fantastic, striking a thoughtful balance between structure and play. My kids are constantly engaged in learning—without even realizing it—and developing new skills in ways that other play-based programs we've tried couldn't quite match.One of the things we love most is the mixed-age classrooms. Younger children get to learn from older peers, and it's incredible to watch them develop independence and leadership skills. There's something really special about seeing a 3-year-old patiently help a younger child put on their shoes.As for safety and behavior, the school takes a thoughtful and proactive approach. Preschoolers—no matter where they are—will sometimes struggle with social conflicts, but what really matters is how teachers handle those moments. At Northwest Montessori, the staff are skilled at anticipating and de-escalating conflicts before they become bigger issues. They provide kids with the tools to manage their emotions and navigate social situations, rather than resorting to punitive measures that don't actually teach the right skills.We've been at a school before where conflicts were met with isolation or discipline that didn't fit a child's developmental level, and the difference here is night and day. The teachers are engaged, responsive, and quick to step in when needed. I've personally seen a teacher—normally calm and composed—jump into action when a situation escalated unexpectedly.This school creates an environment where kids learn not just academics, but also emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and respect for others. We've been so grateful for the teachers and staff who make that possible.