Olympia Community School

Posted: April 9, 2026

Posted: April 9, 2026

Posted: April 9, 2026

Posted: April 9, 2026

Posted: April 9, 2026

Posted: April 9, 2026

Posted: April 9, 2026

Posted: April 9, 2026

My daughter is in her third year at OCS and my family continues to feel so lucky to have landed here. Between the small, multi-age class sizes, the caring teachers and staff, the tons of outdoor time, the almost complete absence of technology and homework, and the many projects, field trips, and guest speakers curated by the teachers according to the school-wide annual learning theme, OCS is what elementary school should be.

Posted: January 11, 2025

Posted: January 11, 2025

Posted: January 11, 2025

Posted: January 11, 2025

Posted: January 11, 2025

Posted: January 11, 2025

Posted: January 11, 2025

We enrolled our daughter at OCS the fall of 2023 and we are so happy we did. This unique school is dedicated to enthusiastically educating its students in a small setting with a personal touch. We've been blown away with our daughters accelerated skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and especially in her social and emotional skills and developmemt. OCS meets the child where they are and ensures each students gets attention and support the right way for them at the right time. We've re-enrolled her already and look forward to watching her continue to achieve beyond the norm.

Posted: April 29, 2024

Posted: April 29, 2024

Posted: April 29, 2024

Posted: April 29, 2024

Posted: April 29, 2024

Posted: April 29, 2024

Posted: April 29, 2024

Posted: April 29, 2024

have sent my kids here starting in Pre-K, or as they call it K1. My kids have really enjoyed having the same teacher multiple years in a row. The classrooms aret 14 kids total for school total of 42 kids. They are grouped as K1 and K2, then 1st and 2nd, followed by 3rd, 4th, 5th. The K1 and K2 teacher does a great job making room for the kids to learn at their own pace and it works well for the younger kids to have some modeling from the older kids in the classroom. For some kids this is their first experience going to school or preschool at all, so having those older kids (Kindergarteners) that where here last year really helps. This system works well all the way through 5th grade as kids alternate from being the younger grade in the classroom to the older grade. My kids have always been sad to move in from their last teacher but also very excited for the next one as they heard such great things from the older kids.

The school also offers before and after school programs as well as afternoon programs on half days and a full day programs during most school breaks (winter, spring break etc). This makes it a lot easier for working parents to not have to find another solution for those times.

Posted: February 22, 2024

Posted: February 22, 2024

Posted: February 22, 2024

Posted: February 22, 2024

Posted: February 22, 2024

Posted: February 22, 2024

Posted: February 22, 2024

Posted: February 22, 2024

We enrolled our daughter at OCS the fall of 2023 and we are so happy we did. This unique school is dedicated to enthusiastically educating its students in a small setting with a personal touch. We've been blown away with our daughters accelerated skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and especially in her social and emotional skills and developmemt. OCS meets the child where they are and ensures each students gets attention and support the right way for them at the right time. We've re-enrolled her already and look forward to watching her continue to achieve beyond the norm.

Posted: December 2, 2020

Posted: December 2, 2020

Posted: December 2, 2020

Love it! Our daughter has absolutely loved her experience here at OCS. They have a wonderful job adapting to the remote schooling and are preparing to go back when practical and safe at a new location! Awesome job everyone!

Posted: December 2, 2020

Posted: December 2, 2020

Posted: December 2, 2020

Posted: December 2, 2020

Posted: December 2, 2020

Posted: September 26, 2019

This school has a CRC (concerned reports committee) that includes the teachers and 2 executive committee members who manage reports that are sensitive in nature. In my 5yrs as a parent we've had 2 incidents of bullying - one from a troubled student that was not able to return and the other; from the parent of a child who was perceived to be bullied. Due to our value of safety, inclusion, and social/emotional growth the school took action to invest in support staff with stronger credentials, shored up the procedures for activity, and communicated changes as they were made. It is sometimes a lengthy process, recruitment, hiring, convening board meetings can slow any process by way of 6 months or longer. OCS was able to implement the changes within 3 months AND over the course of summer break! Now that's teamwork!

Posted: September 26, 2019

Posted: September 26, 2019

Differential teaching; teachers meet the children where they are at in the learning process.

Posted: September 26, 2019

Posted: September 26, 2019

This is a parent run school - parents get out of the leadership what they put in. In my 5 yrs as a parent and committee member I've seen a few families that would thrive in a different environment where they do not need to be accountable for their own action (or inaction). But for those families that want to be active in the well being of ALL the students, then this is a great leadership community for them.

Posted: September 26, 2019

Posted: September 26, 2019

My experience has been fulfilling, very busy, and at times frustrating. Governing a school, volunteering and being PROACTIVELY involved in your students education is not for the faint of heart. But this year my son graduates 5th grade and I couldn't ask for a more compassionate, independent, and globally aware person in my life. His communication is over the top, his ability to feel good in his own skin, and his ability to evaluate a situation and take appropriate action are the best foundations a young person can have as they progress into puberty and middle school. I am forever grateful for the many years we've invested into OCS.

Posted: September 24, 2019

OCS has a bullying policy, but does not address bullying issues in a proactive or timely manner. We withdrew our child due to these issues.

Posted: September 24, 2019

Education was awesome. Safety, administrative, social/emotional well being of students and bullying are weak points at this school.

Posted: March 12, 2018

Other private schools have tried to replicate the education model of OCS, but what they lack are the years of experience teaching, supporting, and inspiring young learners to explore their world and trust their learning process. The social/emotional development is by far the most important foundation this school provides, I see it and experience it daily with my 3rd grader. He has the ability to think and problem solve with compassion and fairness and sees himself in more dynamic community roles as his time at OCS progresses. Invest in your child while they are young, and if needed ask about the school's tuition reduction programs, it's how we've been able to attend.

Posted: March 12, 2018

Posted: March 12, 2018

The teachers personalize the curriculum to the individual child making it purposeful creating a deeper understanding of the content.

Posted: March 12, 2018

Posted: March 12, 2018

Posted: March 12, 2018

Posted: March 12, 2018

Posted: November 9, 2015

Posted: November 9, 2015

With such small class sizes, the teachers are open to working with what the parents want and will customize the work load to a certain extent.

Posted: November 9, 2015

OCS has the highest quality education in Olympia in my opinion. My girls have both gone here and both are above their peers, not only academically, but in their social/emotional intelligence as well. Small class size and caring teachers. Over the years my family tried Lincoln, ORLA and Waldorf but settled on OCS as the best fit. I love that they are expanding through 5th grade so we can continue through to middle school!

Posted: July 16, 2015

Extraordinary teachers! Every child fully engaged and excited about learning! This school is what the modern day educational system ought to be modeled after.

Posted: July 16, 2015

Posted: July 16, 2015

This school does a lot to promote emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and how to be a good citizen of our community and planet.

Posted: July 16, 2015

Best school ever! Our kids are receiving the best education available and love everything about this amazing school.

Posted: June 13, 2011

The school's motto, "Where the love of learning grows" speaks volumes to me. OCS fosters the natural inquisitiveness every child has by personalizing their education and introducing them to new things in the community. In addition, teachers recognize that students also bring many experiences with them so students are expected to share their knowledge with their peers through workshops and presentations. The education at OCS is what every parent wants for their child!

Posted: June 12, 2011

Our two kids attend OCS and love it! The teachers are amazing and it is a really nice balance of structured academics, while teaching kids at their own pace and as individuals. We love that they aren't limited by the state testing curriculum. The kids get to help choose their theme and it is carried throughout the curriculum. Very strong reading, math, science, language arts and social studies learning. Wonderful emphasis on non-violent communication, empathy, problem solving, critical thinking, social responsibility and community.