About
Laurelhurst Elementary School
Laurelhurst Elementary School is located in the northeast section of Seattle, Washington.
We have 260 students in grades K-5. Laurelhurst is a place where children “learn to love to learn”. We create meaningful learning experiences which stimulate creativity and critical thinking while providing a firm foundation in the basics.
We have high expectations for all children and know that each will be challenged by the rigor and depth of our curriculum. We have a strong and active PTA and parent community that supports our school in many ways.
Laurelhurst has been certified as an ALO (Advanced Learning Opportunities) school. In 2009, and again in 2013, we received a Washington Achievement Award for Overall Academic Excellence from the State of Washington.
Did You Know?
Library
Did you know that each classroom comes to the library once a week for 40 minutes to participate in lessons and check out books? Students have access to over 10,000 books and thousands of eBooks and other electronic resources through Seattle Public Schools and Seattle Public Library. Students also participate in several different art projects with the librarian. This year each grade level is designing and painting a mural on the walls of the school.
PE
Did you know we cover many topics relating to health and fitness? In the primary grades we cover racquet and ball skills, throwing and catching, various tag games, parachute activities, cup stacking and more. In the secondary grades we address fitness testing and stations, archery, bike riding, unicycles, cup stacking as well as other fitness activities. The last Tuesday of the school year is set aside for an all-school Field Day at the Laurelhurst Playfield.
Computer Lab
Did you know that every Laurelhurst student gets an hour of instruction a week in the computer lab from an educator who has worked for almost 30 years in the field of instructional technology?
Students use new and ever-changing tools to enhance their learning. They learn the important life skill of keyboarding in second grade and practice often in the computer lab, aiming for at least 25 words per minute by the end of fifth grade. Students get experiences with coding, either with Scratch Jr. on their iPads (K-2) or MIT’s online Scratch on laptops or desktops. Fifth grade students take on the challenge of making original creations using the real-life architectural program of Sketchup.
Reading Specialist
Did you know that our reading specialist supports students whose goal is to achieve grade level in reading? She uses a curriculum that employs the latest research in a highly successful program for 40 of our students.
ELL
Did you know Laurelhurst has a strong and thriving English Learner Community? Currently, there are 19 different languages spoken among the English Learner Families attending Laurelhurst. When your child learns about other cultures, they benefit in a myriad of ways such as: developing a better understanding of the world; valuing & respecting other cultures; reducing stereotypes; promoting effective communication; increasing opportunities to meet new & interesting people; and having fun & new experiences.
Music
Did you know general music is a holistic arts program that teaches kids melody, rhythm, singing, folk dance, creative movement, and various instruments?
Our 3rd graders all learn to play the recorder and read music notation, preparing them for band and orchestra.
Our 4th and 5th graders will learn to play on brand new ukuleles this year, thanks to a generous donation from the PTA.
In general music, the K-5 students have exposure to a variety of genres of music, including classical, Broadway, jazz, folk, world music, pop, rock, hip hop and more.
Math Tutors
Did you know that on an average day our two math tutors see around 40 students in grades 2 through 5? During tutoring, they focus on the specific needs of students in small groups. They play math games targeted at specific topics and help the students work through problems.
WITS
Did you know that the WITS program, (Writers in The Schools), program of Seattle matches local creative writers with Seattle Public Schools and Seattle Children’s Hospital, where they engage thousands of K-12 students each year in discovering their voices?
Did you know Laurelhurst has been hosting WITS since the fall of 2017, and continued through the pandemic, adapting to remote learning? Each year, students have inked 8-10 different kinds of poems, finding their voices through various forms and experiments. Initially WITS was offered to third, fourth and fifth graders; but last year expanded to second grade as well.
Did you know that several Laurelhurst writers have shared their poems at large, city wide events such as the Broadway Performance Hall?
PTA
We are so fortunate that Laurelhurst is our neighborhood elementary school! The teachers are outstanding, dedicated, and they care deeply about the academic, social and emotional development of all students. Teachers know every student in the building, which fosters a strong sense of community across classrooms and grade levels. Our kids receive a well-rounded education, and the classes with specialists – library, PE, music, computers, and art – are always student favorites. The school’s PTA actively supports the principal and staff to create a wonderful educational environment for the students.
Our Mission
The teachers at Laurelhurst are facilitators of learning, posing questions that elicit creative and critical thinking, and nurturing in their students a life-long love of learning.
By engaging with each student as an individual and validating and building on their strengths, we work to create community within the classroom, the school, and the larger community, while promoting independence, confidence and responsibility.
We provide educational experiences for students which enable them to reach their highest potential and empower them to achieve their goals and dreams as successful, compassionate members of a diverse community. We provide stimulating, culturally enriching, creative experiences woven through a rigorous curriculum that integrates technology, science, and the arts.
Our Vision
At Laurelhurst School we believe in educating the whole child. Our aim is to create an inviting school community that supports each child’s innate passion for learning.
Our goal is to foster the development of responsible, effective, compassionate individuals who develop a strong sense of environmental stewardship and appreciate communities and cultures different from their own.
Principal: Tim Snyder
tjsnyder@seattleschools.org