Research Lafayette Elementary School public Schools in Seattle, Washington

“We just got word that my son has a new school next year. We couldn't be happier. We chose Lafayette for its reputation and we liked what we saw on the tour. When my son started the school, our opinion quickly changed when he would come home crying all the time. Fun and play is not part of the day in Kindergarden. They are so obsessed with test results that the kids are prepared for the WASL from day 1. The principal has a love it or leave it attitude. Yep- we'd rather leave it. So many families leave this school yet they would have you believe everyone loves it. There are a number of faithful, stuck-up parents who love it for what it does for their property value. We put our son on a waiting list for another school right away and we just got in. Yippee!”

“Our daughter has had a terrible experience at this school. She finished 4th grade in the spring after moving in from another district. It was a very hard transition and the staff and principal made no effort to make her feel welcome. She was told she couldn't join the jump rope club back in October when we moved because it was ''too late'', the club had already started and the girls would be ''too good for her level''. The school doesn't support the girl or boy scouts so there are no troops associated with the school or, indeed, the nearby area. The school has limited after school programs. The only positive thing I can say about this school is that the PTA is very active. Schoolwork is repetitive and boring and so is the homework. It's a miserable school. Avoid!”

“This school has changed dramatically over the past few years. My first child loved this school and we had a very positive experience. My second is now in first grade and having a horrible time. The principal is cold and uncaring and the staff are tired and bored. The school does not attempt to engage children and would rather families move on to other schools rather than work with them to resolve issues. Avoid this school if you can, don't be fooled by the WASL results, these kids train for that test from day one with stacks of worksheets. Hopefully, the school can turn around, it really used to be a nice school.”

“My son has been in this school for 2 years and it is not working out. The school day is very repetitive and he is picked on during play times. The staff are overworked and there is no sense of warmth in the school. I would recommend this school to families where rigidity and repetition are important.”

“Our daughter has attended this school for the past three years and we have been very happy there. Although it's a large elementary, our daughter feels very safe there. The teachers are very engaging and truly strive to meet the needs of their students. Most classrooms have parent volunteers or tudors nearly every day of the week. I also love the prinicple, Virginia Turner. She's straight forward, honest but really likes to have fun. She is everything you want in a principle and she fights hard for the school to get additional funding whenever she can! There are also a wide variety of after-school programs to choose from.”

“The school is a good fit, academically, for our 3 children. It is a primarily white middle- to upper-middle class school with corresponding values and limitations. Parent involvement in classrooms seems limited, and parent climate is not extremely friendly, caring, or inclusive. The classrooms are generally orderly, and the teachers are very good and, for the most part, provide an excellent education.”

“This is a very solid school, especially in the Seattle School District. They have a very strong PTA that backs up the education, but funding in the district limits the programs available for students. PTA is very involved and is trying to supplement the districts failings.”

“We're now half-way through kindergarten, and Lafayette seems great for most students, though not a great fit for my son. However, his situation is unique, as he tests in the profoundly gifted range. The teacher and administration, while not really able to accomodate his learning needs in the classroom, have been very flexible about letting us keep him home in the mornings to work on material which challenges him and keeps him interested. There is quite a bit of parent involvement; thoughtful, dedicated parents may be one of the school's greatest strengths. My son's teacher has a very rigorous academic program (most kids learn to read). Individual music lessons are available in 4th and 5th grades. There is a dedicated PE teacher. Private afterschool activities such as a science program, Mandarin, and Spanish are available on-site.”

“Awesome 6th grade teacher Mr. Ngobi - far advanced and strives to have all students excell. He's tough but so great with those kids. Parent involvement is high and welcomed. Programs are great as well as the physical education staff, musi/drama staff. Kids learn here in a safe and nurturing environment.”