WELCOME TO THE LITTLE SCHOOL
Play this video to hear from one of our former faculty, Cindy Sorensen, about what makes TLS special for children and families.
The Little School Mission & Vision
The Little School cultivates authentic learning in community and the natural world, amplifying curiosity and expanding sense of self, belonging and possibility.
To foster vibrant understanding and promote action that advances sustainability, justice and joy.
What is the Essence of TLS?
Authentic Learning
Connected and Inclusive Community
We welcome children and families to join us in creating diverse and inclusive learning communities where students gain skills and perspectives to thrive in a global society.
Place & Project Based
Our 12.5-acre wooded campus invites children to play and learn in a natural setting where exploration and discovery connect children to scientific inquiry and stewardship of the earth.
Curiosity Driven Learners
We nurture students’ natural curiosity and innate desire to learn as they develop intellectual and social skills to be purposeful and passionate lifelong learners.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ)
TLS is committed to educating students from all backgrounds and nationalities. Our TLS community reflects our local area, which includes a large international community. Our faculty explores issues of diversity, equity and inclusion as these areas impact our work with students and families as part of our ongoing professional learning. We teach students how to express their own thoughts and feelings and to be curious about other people’s experiences and perspectives so that they can skillfully navigate our complex and global world.
The Little School admits students of any race, color, nationality and ethnic origin.
2022-23 Race and Ethnicity Data
Visit The Little School
We are so excited about our Rivers Building. Opened in January of 2021, our new building includes a large auditorium and gym, a teaching kitchen next to our learning garden and a new Art Studio and Environmental Science lab. Creating a front door to our campus, this building provides specially designed learning spaces for our specialist teachers and a gathering space for our whole community. We encourage to schedule a time for an on-campus tour and see our program in action!
What Does Progressive Education Look Like at TLS?
We nurture each child’s inner drive to discover and learn through play and structured choices.
We provide learning in a social and interactive context that teaches social and emotional skills to all ages.
We learn both indoors and outdoors through exploration and project-based learning.
We create small classes to ensure hands-on learning and deep connection with our students.
“We've found the academics very strong and taught in ways that engage our son and build a true understanding of math, reading, and science concepts that allow him to build on his knowledge and skills to the best of his ability. We consider ourselves lucky to have found TLS!”
How Is Our School Organized?
Our classrooms are spread across our 12.5-acre wooded campus in three, soon to be four, buildings that allow our children to explore many different places to learn both indoors and outdoors. Each child has a main indoor and outdoor classroom and moves around the campus to play outside about 2-3+ times a day.
Early Childhood = Preschool (3 years old) and Prekindergarten (4 years old).
4 classrooms of 13 students each
Elementary = Kindergarten (must be 5 by September 1), First/Second grade, Third grade and Fourth/Fifth grade.
2 kindergarten classrooms of 16-18 students each
4 first and second grade classrooms of 16-18 students each
2 third grade classrooms of 16-18 students each
3 fourth and fifth grade classrooms of 16-18 students each
How do we teach mathematics at The Little School?
We teach children to be mathematical thinkers who can discuss concepts and solve problems with skill and delight. Early Childhood students discover mathematical ideas throughout their days. With the Elementary students, we use Bridges Math Curriculum to help them grow and apply their mathematical skills. Follow this link to learn more about mathematics at TLS.
How do we help our students become avid readers and writers?
We integrate literacy into all aspects of our curriculum to develop skilled readers and writers who are able to share their ideas with others. We use the Center for Collaborative Classroom's (CCC) literacy curriculum which allows our students to grow their reading and writing skills at their own pace following their interests. Follow this link to learn more about literacy at TLS.
How does TLS integrate Science and Social Studies into our learning?
We know that children have a innate love of learning about new topics and we use thematic and project-based studies to explore concepts and ideas in depth. Whether it is discovering a butterfly in our garden and then learning about animal migration or reading a book about a child from Vietnam and then learning about the history of immigration to the United States, our students are developing an understanding of the complexity of our connected world. Follow these links to learn more about science and social studies at TLS.
What is the Educational Philosophy of The Little School?
TLS was founded over 60 years ago by Dr. Eleanor Siegel. She knew that learning grows out of each child's inner drive to explore the world around them. Based on the Progressive Education teaching philosophy first described by John Dewey, she created TLS to be a place that nurtures each child's natural curiosity and love of learning. Our philosophy inspires us to be adaptable and innovative in the methods and strategies that we use to educate our students. Follow this link to learn more about Progressive Education at TLS.
What are some of the TLS numbers?
Small school:
- 215 students with classes from preschool-fifth grade.
- Average faculty tenure at TLS is 5+ years with anywhere from 8-25 years of teaching experience.
Small classes:
- Early Childhood = 12-14 students with a teacher and teaching assistant.
- Elementary = 16-18 students with a teacher and shared teaching assistants.
School Hours:
- School Hours: 8:15 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Extended day: 3:00 p.m.-6 p.m.
Tuition and Financial Aid
- $29,400 all grades (inclusive of most school costs).
- Families can apply for financial aid if it would help make it possible to attend TLS.
Does The Little School provide lunch?
Families can choose to provide lunch for their child or to buy lunch through our partner, NEST school lunch. NEST provides a nutrious hotlunch that is delivered to the classroom locally sourced designed for young children. We also have a teaching garden and kitchen where children get a chance to try and cook new foods.
Accreditations and Memberships
The Little School is accredited by a number of different organizations to make sure that the high standards that we set for ourselves are verified by different external authorities. The Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) is a voluntary membership organization that promotes high educational quality for its schools through the establishment and advancement of comprehensive accreditation standards. The Little School is periodically assessed and accredited through a process that requires full disclosure and a peer group review process seeking to confirm the congruence between the school’s stated mission and its actual program and services. The Early Childhood Program at TLS is licensed through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Family Service (DCYF).
