Schools > Private > Bright Water School

Bright Water School in Seattle, Washington

Bright Water School Detail

(206) 624-6176
1501 10th Ave E Ste 100
Seattle, WA 98102
Levels: PK-8
District: Private


Bright Water School Census Data

Census InfoValueYear
Student Teacher Ratio:7.27% (2008)
White, non-Hispanic:86.84% (2008)
Black, non-Hispanic:0% (2008)
Hispanic:4.61% (2008)
Asian/Pacific Islander:7.89% (2008)
Native American or Native Alaskan:0.66% (2008)

Bright Water School Ratings Summary

Average Quality Rating3
Average Principals Rating4
Average Teachers Rating4
Average Activities Rating4
Average Parents Rating3
Average Safety Rating3

Bright Water School Reviews

Our son has attended since kindergarten and it's been a great experience for him (and us). The school is very strong on fundamental learning while going much farther than most schools to foster creativity. We also love all the teachers there.
This review was posted by a parent.

Brightwater is a new school. I believe under 10 years old. I really liked the teachers and families. However, the academics are not strong at the school. Lots of parents felt the need to tutor their children to supplement. I pulled my kid out because I did not want her to fall more behind.
This review was posted by a parent.

We are new to Bright Water, however we have been warmly welcomed and have been given plenty of opportunity to become more involved, which is refreshing. Our daughter is thrilled to be in the kindergarten and is eager to return to school daily. Her only complaint she says, 'I like my new school but the only thing is I cannot go every day.' Weekends are not the same as being at Bright Water during the week! We are all already very comfortable with the community at Bright Water.
This review was posted by a parent.

We approach our 4th year here w/a 2nd child entering the Early Childhood program this year. I am very encouraged at the flexibility of the administration in assisting our family with tuition, and in turn feel that we have many opportunities to help return the favor through volunteerism and participation on a wide variety of school events and committees. Even having been part of the school for three years already, we find that our family is still learning what it means to be part of Waldorf education. That being said, it's a lifelong learning process - for all. We're continually enthralled with the variety of offerings that touch all subject matter, bringing beauty and new interest to old hat topics. I am nervous and confident at the same time that our upcoming 1st grader will find a good match in instructor, as they keep them for 8 years, ideally.
This review was posted by a parent.

Bright Water faithfully cultivates the core Waldorf value of head, heart, and hand. Our babysitter graduated from Bright Water and whenever we came back from a night out our girls had had wonderfully creative and artistic evenings. Our oldest daughter is very academic and would have gone into the public gifted elementary school, but we felt Bright Water's Kindergarten curriculum would help balance her as a person. A wonderful decision - at 6 she was filling her days with knitting, sewing, and playing imaginatively with her sister as well as reading (though they don't actively promote reading in Kindergarten). The TV never comes on in our house and our 5 & 7 year olds don't know the word 'bored'. School governance and administration has matured and now seems quite effective. While one class has had ridiculous number of teachers, admin & faculty clearly prioritize teaching quality. A wonderful vibrant community.
This review was posted by a parent.

I think the previous review was placed by an administrator! It is to perfect and glowing. My experience with the school is less then perfect. In fact I often feel extremely sad about the way I am treated and the way our child is viewed. The school often feels very intolerant of differences and can seem racist at times. Luckily my child's teacher (who they have for their entire school life in a Waldorf program) is an incredible person who is very thoughtful and brilliant. With that said that is the reason why we stay because the individual teacher is marvelous. But in the bigger picture I feel kind of with drawn and ambivolent about our experience over all. The positives include a strong bases in art, thorough examination of a variety of historical periods of time, and the pace is very calming!
This review was posted by a parent.

Bright Water School is a vibrant, dedicated Waldorf School dedicated to providing the best experience for each child appropriate to their stage of development. They are interested and care deeply for each child. They are open to exploring what works and what doesn't and making progress as each year comes anew. They have a fantastic, conveniently located campus with great views and easy access to Volunteer Park to romp and play. I have children from Kindergarten to Eighth grade there and am please with the level of teaching, caring, and professionalism at all levels. The teachers listen when there is a concern, the students are happy and eager to be there, the administration is not only responsive but anticipates the needs of the parents and is very proactive about keeping us informed.
This review was posted by a parent.