“The question has been repeatedly asked” What makes Pathfinder K-8 School so unique? Pathfinder K-8 School stands as a vital part of public education here in West Seattle. It is the only alternative K-8 school in the region.
Pathfinder K-8 offers an important option for non-traditional learners. It provides a unique quality education for families. These families seek a more exploratory and holistic public education experience.
This school builds community by honoring all traditions. That is the fundamental principle behind Pathfinder.
The Delridge community built this vision during neighborhood planning six years ago. Paul Fischburg said the vision has grown tremendously through art partners. It will soon come to life with arts, education, cultural sharing and community.
At Pathfinder K-8 School classes are organized into three halls. These halls are Earth Water and Sky. Rather than divide students into grades the multi-age classes are distinguished by clans. These clans are named after an animal. Examples include the Coyote Clan Blue Heron Clan and Orca Clan.
Studies among the clans are interconnected. They are also hands-on. These studies offer a world perspective. For instance in practicing arithmetic students may investigate the food needs of an African Village. This allows the children to answer mathematical questions. It also lets them see how math can resolve issues on a broader scale.
Pathfinder K-8 also hosts a monthly Culture House. At the Culture House students parents and teachers learn about different cultures. They listen to music share food and make native crafts.
The Pathfinder K-8 community is extremely grateful. The District supports keeping the program open and intact. This is the most important thing to the Pathfinder K-8 community.
The community is disheartened to be put in a position. Advocating for its program directly puts other schools and programs at risk. For the last four years Pathfinder K-8 has surveyed prospective parents during enrollment tours. They discovered their thoughts about what the school offers. Overwhelmingly respondents rate programs curriculum and teachers highly. They rate the building very low. The facility poses a large obstacle for families. These families overcome this obstacle when choosing Pathfinder for their children.
Pathfinder K-8 has been on the receiving end of five preliminary recommendations. In the last four years the recommendations involved moving its program to a different building. This came after a district-mandated change from a K-5 to a K-8 school in 1999. There was little additional funding to provide for an upgrade in facilities. The upper grades sixth through eighth have been in portables ever since. Despite this challenging situation the staff and community persevered. Today the school has strong and cherished upper grades.
Last spring and summer the Pathfinder K-8 community rolled up its sleeves. They did what they could for its kids and community. Volunteers spent over 1000 hours in five months. They spent weekends and summer break painting its six double portables. Thousands of dollars of paint and supplies were donated by the community. The staff hand-painted a new sign for the portables. Eighth-grade students began the work of reclaiming planting beds.
Pathfinder K-8 educates students. They become passionate lifelong learners. These students respect themselves others and the environment. Pathfinder K-8 a place where community culture and learning intertwine.