The Island School

Posted: April 19, 2022

The Island School is a wonderful school. I really wish I could have gone to this school. As soon as you walk in you can feel the comfy and caring environment. Excitement about learning and curiosity about the world are really paramount here. I am a parent who has honestly always been a bit skeptical and judgmental about private schools. But The Island School really changed my mind in many ways. I wish every kid could go to school in a place like the Island School. The tuition is reasonable compared to other private schools, and the financial aid program made it affordable for our family, though it is still a financial sacrifice that feels 100% worth it for our family. The teachers truly know each child and are excited about challenging and engaging them. There are no standardized tests, yet the teachers really know how each kid is doing and what they need to keep learning. They did an amazing job through the pandemic, really pivoting in impressive ways and modeling problem solving, resilience and caring for one's community in time of crisis for the kids.

Posted: April 19, 2022

Posted: April 19, 2022

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Posted: April 19, 2022

Posted: March 29, 2022

We moved to Bainbridge Island in part because of The Island School. The school has an amazing focus on social & emotional learning, enables children to understand the world around them with hands on activities, many outdoor actives, community events, enables exploration of other cultures via their annual Culture Study, and just makes learning fun! We have had two kids go there, and both loved getting up each morning to go to school! The Island School helped support their curiosity and appreciation of learning. We could not have found a better elementary school. The focus is not on standardized testing but on teaching children how to be well balanced people who can interact with the world around them.

Posted: March 29, 2022

Posted: March 29, 2022

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Posted: April 20, 2021

Our 8 year old son has been at The Island School (TIS) since kindergarten, and we are still as enthusiastic about the school as we were when he started attending. Part of our motivation was finding a welcoming, safe, and attentive environment that would both accept him for who he is while providing a stimulating and engaging framework to effectively learn and grow in.

Even with the challenges of the pandemic year in 2020 & 21, TIS has risen to the challenge with innovations like outdoor learning, class pods, and a return to indoor learning with open and properly vented classrooms. This proved highly effective for us as we were able to maintain the school community virtually during the initial stages of the pandemic, while soon returning to in-person learning in an outdoor setting and then finally back in person this past winter to the absolute delight of the kids and parents. In true TIS fashion, the outdoor learning incorporated outside elements like trees, farms, and shoreline to teach math, history and civics.

Through all of this years difficult obstructions, the leadership and staff at TIS has been impeccable in addressing the unique needs of the students, teachers, faculty and parents as we have collectively navigated this difficult response to the pandemic. Consistent and direct communication from the administration on the approach and execution of the strategy provided opportunity for input and feedback, resulting in a high level of confidence in the approach, continued education for our kids, and a safe learning environment throughout the process.

If you are looking for a truly unique and special place for your child to learn and grow, this is the place, come check it out!

Posted: April 20, 2021

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Posted: March 31, 2021

I am an alum of The Island School and know firsthand how it provided me with the educational and personal foundation which has carried me through my years. I now am a parent with two daughters at the school, and I delight in seeing the joy, energy, and commitment they give to their teachers and peers. They shine with curiosity, engagement, individuality, and empathy for the diversity and uniqueness of others. When they struggle, they're shown the tools necessary to figure it out. The faculty display flexibility and creativity. The relationships that flourish at this school provide a safe environment for learning, trying, and questioning. An Island School education provides the foundation for being an amazing, unique human being.

Posted: March 31, 2021

Posted: March 31, 2021

Posted: March 31, 2021

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Posted: March 31, 2021

Posted: March 31, 2021

Posted: March 31, 2021

The Island School is a longtime—close to 50 years—fixture on Bainbridge, educating multiple generations of curious, thoughtful, socially engaged students who've gone on to do great things. We've had two children at the school, and have been consistently impressed by the teaching faculty, overall school staff, sense of community, and a focus on meeting the children where they are in terms of their education. Highly, highly recommend.

Posted: March 31, 2021

Posted: March 31, 2021

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Posted: March 31, 2021

Posted: April 22, 2020

We had 2 children attend The Island School, one first grade through fifth and the kindergarten through fifth grade. This was a dream school. Educational, compassionate, character building and enriching in so many ways. The kids learn to love learning, amazing!

Posted: April 22, 2020

We were very appreciative of The Island School's deliberate intent not to burden young students with homework. No formulaic worksheets, busy work or homework just for the sake of homework.

Posted: April 22, 2020

Teachers at this school are effective because they love to teach. They are following their passion to work with students in a deeply caring and strong educational environment.

Posted: April 22, 2020

Integrity, compassion and respect are qualities The Island School focuses on developing in all students. It is an Island School mission to incorporate character development into coursework, activities and all-school events.

Posted: April 22, 2020

The Principal of the Island School is a strong, dedicated, caring and deeply experienced individual; chosen carefully by the Board of Directors to continue strong leadership. The teachers and staff all demonstrate leadership.

Posted: April 22, 2020

The Island School is amazingly supportive of students with learning differences. Students with learning differences are seamlessly included in all activities in a culture of respect.

Posted: April 22, 2020

The Island School actively and purposefully works to foster a culture of inclusion and respect between students of all grades. Rare instances of bullying were dealt with immediately by staff and resolved.

Posted: March 25, 2020

Posted: March 25, 2020

Through their own passions, and by example The Island School staff engender the social/emotional skills that have become fundamental to the school's curriculum

Posted: March 25, 2020

These characteristics are tenets of The Island School mission!

Posted: March 25, 2020

The Island School has a legacy of strong, experienced, compassionate leaders. Staff and administration value child focused, research based education.

Posted: March 25, 2020

Posted: March 25, 2020

10/10! Speaking as an alumni of the school, it is due in large part to The Island School community I believe that I am a capable, creative, and kind human!

Posted: February 12, 2020

This school was amazing for our kids and our entire family. The emphasis on social emotional skills combined with strong academics, a beautiful campus, and amazing teachers made it a wonderful place for our kids to experience elementary school.

Posted: February 12, 2020

The Island School aligns its approach with the best educational research, which shows homework has no value for elementary aged kids and can actually be detrimental. They don't give homework in most grades; it's introduced in 5th grade to facilitate the transition to middle school.

Posted: February 12, 2020

Island School teachers treat each child as an individual, getting to know their strengths, challenge, learning styles, and personal passions and adapting their teaching style to what each child needs. They are amazingly skillful.

Posted: February 12, 2020

The Island School has embedded social-emotional skills in its curriculum for decades - not just as an occasional unit but woven into every aspect of the school. Children are taught not just the concepts of respect, kindness, compassion, justice and equity, but how to practice these skills; teachers and staff model the behavior they expect of the students.

Posted: February 12, 2020

Posted: February 12, 2020

The Island School is amazing for its ability to employ differentiation. Kids are not expected to meet artificial timelines for learning progress - teachers teach to where the kids are, with appropriate interventions when they see areas of concern. I have one child who is a quick learner and mastered concepts quickly - his teachers gave him progressively more challenging material. My other child learns at a different pace, and was supported to continue making progress without being made to feel bad in any way.

Posted: February 12, 2020

Social emotional skills are embedded in the curriculum and kindness and compassion are intrinsic to the school's culture and philosophy. There is a no excluding policy that kids learn and practice from the first day of kindergarten. Bullying is not tolerated in any form.

Posted: February 12, 2020

Both my boys now attend the Island School and I we are thrilled to have found this gem nestled in the woods. My kids LOVE school, are thriving socially, emotionally, and academically, and are learning in growing in all those ways one hopes to see as a parent. The teachers are fantastic and the class sizes are small enough for plenty of one-on-one attention. Learning is hands on, project based, and full of real world application. Kids are KIND, inclusive, and feel safe to be different. Social-emotional learning, so important to kids' short and long term success, is deeply and thoughtfully woven into every aspect of the school and its culture. The playground has areas to play in water, get muddy, climb trees, build forts, hide, swing, and play soccer. I totally disagree with the earlier poster about gifted students. In the areas my kids are gifted the teachers enable them to stretch their limits, and my kids are also supported in areas where they need to work. Growth mindset is integral to everything they do. There is Spanish instruction here for five years, plenty of outside play, PE, art, music, tons of field trips, current events and social justice learning, culture study, and so much more. My 5th grader leaves for middle school next year and I am both sad to leave and so grateful and proud of his growth and progress. In public school I could see his light dim and the love of learning in him seep out. I am so glad to see the confident, resilient, curious, joyful kid he has become in his four years at The Island School, and I see this same progress in his younger brother. I only wish that all kids had the opportunity to learn in a place like this.

Posted: February 12, 2020

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Posted: November 30, 2018

Posted: November 30, 2018

Island School is a sweet little school with no learning philosophy and nothing in place to ensure that gifted students don't sink below grade level due to complete lack of anything for them to do. And the (painful) gravel playground and playing fields show the bizarre lack of attention to detail here.

Posted: November 30, 2018

Posted: November 30, 2018

Posted: November 30, 2018

Posted: November 30, 2018

Posted: November 30, 2018

Posted: May 19, 2017

I've not seen it exist at The Island School. The kids and adults don't tolerate it and everyone knows it.

Posted: May 19, 2017

Each teacher is able to help differentiate lessons against the needs of each student. The teaching teams of a lead and assistant teacher, combined with small class size, give plenty of time for individualized attention.

Posted: May 19, 2017

The Head of School, Board of Trustees and the rest of the staff are extremely effective, forward-thinking and are not only focused on the immediate needs of the school, its students and community, but also are looking toward the future and setting up the school for long-term success.

Posted: May 19, 2017

This is one of the top reasons we chose The Island School for our kids.

Posted: May 19, 2017

The teachers are absolutely effective in engaging every single student and helping them grow and achieve. They're the best!

Posted: May 19, 2017

There isn't any homework. At this age, research shows it's not important or effective.

Posted: May 19, 2017

My son graduated from The Island School and my daughter is currently enrolled there, and both have had phenomenal experiences. Not only are they well-prepared academically, but also they have learned to truly enjoy learning, and have developed inquisitive minds, compassionate character, and a more. The faculty and staff at The Island School, and the supportive community of parents, are committed to every single student and their growth and wellbeing. We're thrilled to have had the opportunity to be a part of The Island School.