Salish Coast Elementary

Posted: February 12, 2025

If you have a special needs child this is not the place for them. This school has ruined our lives in Port Townsend. This school put my child and others in danger repeatedly and then cover up data to downplay disabilities and deny support. They are understaffed and will gaslight you if you investigate into thiis matter. Please, protect your children, this is not the place for them.

Posted: February 12, 2025

Posted: February 12, 2025

Posted: February 12, 2025

Posted: February 12, 2025

Posted: February 12, 2025

Posted: February 12, 2025

Posted: February 12, 2025

Posted: July 31, 2022

My experience at this school has been amazing. Caring teachers, great administration, and a wonderful school community. My children have had great experiences. Whenever I have had a problem, it has been addressed immediately.

Posted: July 31, 2022

Posted: July 31, 2022

Posted: July 31, 2022

Posted: July 31, 2022

Posted: July 31, 2022

Posted: July 31, 2022

Posted: July 31, 2022

Posted: March 29, 2022

The main reason for this review is to address the topic of bullying, and how it would appear over multiple months that the administration values (or, to be fair, valued) its own reputation higher than the safety of the children in its care. There were several instances in which the proper authorities (or what I and several others thought were the proper ones to address these worries to) were notified of increasingly worrying behavioral problems between students, but these adults blew off any and all attempts to get the point across that something more needed to be done. Only after SERIOUS escalation happened did the administration seem to snap in place, only to turn around and try to cast blame on anything and anyone but itself.

Now, I write this as someone who originally came from a different part of the state; I didn't grow up here in Jefferson County, and I understand that the standards of conduct, standards regarding facility and staff, and those that draw someone to a position regarding teaching, SPED/Behavioral, or any other school role may vary widely. However, I couldn't and still cannot stomach how any adult on this planet can be so blind to the needs of their students and so arrogant when faced with what was and still is months and months after the fact overwhelmingly serious misconduct on the behalf of certain students and staff alike.

In all fairness, it has been some time since the main incidents that have me writing this review took place, and the vast majority of staff were and I'm sure are still a pleasure to talk to and with, but I can only hope that the administration itself has learned to better take responsibility for its action and its inaction. These kids deserve a healthy, safe environment to grow up and learn in and I can safely say I witnessed first hand quite the opposite scenario while there.

Posted: March 29, 2022

Posted: March 29, 2022

Posted: March 29, 2022

Posted: March 29, 2022

Posted: March 29, 2022

Posted: March 29, 2022

Posted: March 29, 2022

Posted: October 13, 2019

I love this school. We are so lucky to have such a caring group of people to support our children's learning in Port Townsend.

Posted: October 13, 2019

There wasn't a lot of homework for my child when she was in the younger grades but as she got older there was just the right amount.

Posted: October 13, 2019

There are wonderful caring teachers who really go the extra mile for students.

Posted: October 13, 2019

The school does a lot to help students learn good behavior. This year they have started a program called Second Step that teaches things like this.

Posted: October 13, 2019

The principal and office staff are amazing and always are there to help with anything.

Posted: October 13, 2019

The school works hard to help all students learn.

Posted: October 13, 2019

Most of the students are very kind and well-behaved. For the few students who have behavior problems the school does a lot to deal with these problems.

Posted: June 11, 2019

Kindergarten teacher was an inept rookie with excessive absences. When she was there, it was fun and games--including pacifying kids with video games. She taught my child nothing. First grade teachers taught the willing and let the rest doodle all day. Second grade teacher only wants to teach the bright kids; has no idea how to motivate reluctant learners.

Posted: June 11, 2019

No apparent character education, aside from drilling into students that they have no right to self-defense when attacked.

Posted: June 11, 2019

The principal is ineffective, both as an educational leader (teachers do whatever they want; there is no discernible curriculum) and as a disciplinarian (consistently fails to protect students from the school's few violent, vulgar kids who need psychological help). Silver lining: The new assistant principal seems smart, effective, and ethical.

Posted: June 11, 2019

Remediation is a life sentence. If kids don't learn to read through their Fountas & Pinnell "balanced literacy" (whole language) program , they get exiled to the Eagle Reading Room for even more practice with the same failed approach, executed less well by underqualified paraprofessionals instead of certified teachers. After my kid finished the 1st grade illiterate, he needed summer tutoring in phonics to learn how to read. He started 2nd grade reading at the 2nd grade level, but he finished reading like a middle-of-the-year 2nd grader--a half year's progress in 1 year's time. Shameful. Despite 2 years of math remediation, my kid remains below grade level in math. Looks like more tutoring this summer. Thanks, Salish Coast!

Posted: June 11, 2019

When challenged about their failure to control violent kids, educators shrug and say, "This is a public school." Oddly, many other public schools handle the problem more effectively.

Posted: June 11, 2019

Very little homework is assigned, K-2. Teachers do not care if students do it, and do not alert parents if homework is not getting done.

Posted: June 11, 2019

Lazy, arrogant teachers teach the easy kids and neglect the rest, treating parents with ill-disguised contempt, unchecked by an inept principal who lets bullies run rampant.