Community School of West Seattle

Who we are:

The Community School of West Seattle is a genuine treasure- a nonprofit preschool truly centered in its values of inclusivity, equity and cultivating connection and collective care. CSWS is situated on the border of West Seattle and White Center, and is more than just a space for early education- it’s a safe haven for students, families and staff where community and diversity are deeply valued and celebrated.

Who we reach and how we teach:

The Community School of West Seattle is a Reggio Emelia-inspired, play-based preschool that serves students ages 2.5 through Kindergarten entry. CSWS is a place where children are encouraged to ask questions, investigate their interests, and build meaningful relationships with peers and teachers. Our educators observe children’s interests and use them as the foundation for learning experiences. On any given day, children will be found building with natural materials, creating art in our vibrant studio, learning science through inquiry based methods, reading together in community, singing and dancing together, and playing and exploring outdoors.        

The Community School is committed to accessibility in education. CSWS partners with the Seattle Preschool Program in two of our classrooms, and accepts a variety of childcare subsidies to help make our two private pay classrooms accessible to all. 

What makes us special: 

During a time when so many communities are under threat, CSWS regards our commitment to maintaining a safe environment where our community is celebrated for their diverse identities as integral to our work. Our classrooms and communal spaces are intentionally curated to incorporate materials and learning environments that help students of all identities feel seen, respected, valued and held in community. From books and materials representing children of various races, cultures, identities, abilities, and family structures- to environments incorporating sensory accommodations that benefit everyone including students with a wide array of sensory needs and neurotypes, CSWS truly feels like a place where everyone is included and honored. Setting a foundational education rooted in an ethos of collective care undoubtedly has a cumulative positive impact on the world around us as our students grow and move forward into their other communities.

In addition to being committed to creating inclusive environments for learning through collaboration, exploration and play, CSWS also offers on-site speech therapy and occupational therapy, and collaborates as needed with outside trainers and experts such as “child embodiment coaches”. These partnerships help to facilitate inclusivity and learning that fosters social-emotional growth in a way that is neurodiversity-affirming, which benefits our entire community.

Why we need your support:

As a nonprofit preschool, CSWS needs significant support from our greater community to help sustain our commitment to maintaining the most safe and inclusive learning environment that we can. Due to economic strain contributed to by cuts in grants and other funding streams, as well as the economic impact that the Covid-19 pandemic had on the school’s financial reserve, this year our school has had to reduce services like outside therapies and social-emotional learning coaches that help all of our students and teachers thrive. 

Your donation will increase our ability to restore more robust partnerships with organizations like Seattle Therapy Alliance and Children in Bloom, allowing us to more fully embody our commitment to serving students with a variety of needs. Donations in excess of our goal will go a long way to further building community partnerships that help to support students with diverse identities and needs, as well as to support us in maintaining our commitment to keep our preschool program accessible to all. 

Donate today!

Show up now for our racially and economically diverse student body! Show up for LGBTQIA+ families! Show up for neurodiversity-affirming learning environments! Donate today and help us meet and exceed our fundraising goal and ensure that this transformative and joyful preschool will thrive now and in the years to come!

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