Breaking New Ground in Seattle
Green Dot Public Schools Washington recently launched their second middle school and welcomed the community in southeast Seattle. The school is set to open in fall of 2017 with a founding class of 6th graders. The middle school in southeast Seattle starts with 6th grade and will increase service to 6th through 8th grades over the course of the next three years. The middle school is part of a state-approved 6-12 charter public school that will be located in the Rainier Valley.
Taking a year to partner with the community
As part of the school’s planning year, Walter Chen, the founding principal, created a southeast Seattle Advisory Committee. The committee is comprised of local community members and together, they will help determine how to best meet the needs of the students in the area. “We’re excited to work with the community to build a school that reflects the diversity of the neighborhood and offers families another choice to help prepare their child for success,” said Chen. The school will be named by its Advisory Committee and families this spring.
“As a parent who lives and works in southeast Seattle, I love that my voice is being heard in creating the foundation for the environment of this new school,” said Natalie Hester, southeast Seattle resident and member of the southeast Seattle school community advisory team.
“This new school has an opportunity to collaborate with my community and provide another public school choice to serve the families and students in the Rainier Valley.”
Dedication to quality public education
As a Pacific Northwest native, Chen’s dedication to southeast Seattle has an extended history. Chen began his career in public education as a math teacher in Los Angeles. After some time away, he then returned to Seattle and taught math in Renton, became an assistant principal, and most recently was the principal at Graham Hill Elementary. “My connection to this community is personal, as a resident, husband, and father. I am deeply committed to the social, emotional, and academic well being of the children and families in southeast Seattle,” he states.
Chen and his team are diligently working to ensure that families are aware of their public school options. “Every student that walks through our doors will receive high-quality, personalized teaching from educators who know that all students can succeed.”
Stay connected
In its first year, the school will be in a temporary location, as the school is being built at 6020 Rainier Ave S. Stay up to date with the developments at Green Dot’s new Seattle middle school by connecting with us:
- Follow us on Facebook – Green Dot Seattle Middle School — https://www.facebook.com/GreenDotSeattle
- Get Email updates – https://wa.greendot.org/seattle/connect/
Enrollment
Enrollment is now open for our Seattle school. There are two ways to submit an application:
- Submit a paper application to 6020 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA
- Submit an electronic application at wa.greendot.org/enroll