After a thorough, international search, the board and school community enthusiastically welcomed Robert Schultz as our new head of school. Rob's interest in children and his previous experience in teaching, teacher training and school administration is serving the school well. During his first year at Valley Rob demonstrated an ability to connect successfully with students, staff and parents. With his engaging personality, he was also able to articulate a deep understanding of essential educational principles and a commitment to child-centered education, both core to The Valley School's mission and practices. He has shown the ability both to lead the school and to represent the school and its mission to the greater Seattle community in a professional and thoughtful way. Under Rob’s leadership this year, Valley is now a subscriber school of Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS).

June 8 (Wed)
Last day of school
Fifth Grade Graduation
No after-school care

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Robert Schultz is a native of Washington State and grew up in West Seattle near Lincoln Park. He is a graduate of Washington State University where he earned a B.A. in Human Development. He earned his Masters in Education at the University of Guam. More than 12 years ago he moved to Saipan to work with ESL students in the public schools. Rob was a full-time faculty member during his seven years at Northern Marianas College Lab School, and eventually became the principal of the program. He has taught child development, educational psychology, thematic planning, numerous methods courses, as well as supervised dozens of practicum experiences and student teachers. Four years ago Rob was recruited by Brilliant Star, a Montessori school based in Saipan, to be their principal. While there, Rob worked with staff trained in the practices of the Association Montessori Internationale. He added the Upper Elementary class, reclaimed two additional buildings from the jungle, and re-energized families.

Our Educational Mission

The Valley School believes that all children are created equal in their right to an unfettered start in life through a good education. We honor the proven developmental stages of childhood. Teachers treat the children individually and help every student grow to full capacity in all areas of development: cognitive, creative, social-emotional, and physical. Our educational challenge is to create an exciting intellectual atmosphere while still emphasizing basic skills acquisition. A diverse student body — ethnic, academic, economic — is our goal because we think it is the healthiest setting for young children.

Our School

The Valley School, a non-profit educational institution, was founded in 1985 by Patricia Overy and is approved by the State of Washington. Within 10 years the school expanded from a one-room preschool of 18 children to a complete elementary school of just over 100 children. The campus, located in an old Madison Valley orchard, has experienced an equally impressive growth and now occupies eight city lots with enlarged classrooms, library, art room, meeting hall, and administrative building and features an outstanding outdoor playspace. During times of construction and land acquisition, care has always been taken to preserve and enhance the outdoor play spaces for the children.

The growth of the campus has not significantly changed the population the school serves or its mission. Enrollment remains at approximately 100 children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, a size that supports its child-centered learning environment. The easy interaction between grades and careful communication between teachers and administrators are essential to the school's practices and principles.

In 2004, founder Patricia Overy retired as head of school. She continues to work at Valley as a consultant and reading teacher.