Rainier Valley Leadership Academy to Open in Seattle

Rainier Valley

Green Dot Public Schools is excited to announce a high quality middle school option for students throughout Seattle: Rainier Valley Leadership Academy is set to open its doors for the first time in August 2017. The name for the new charter public middle school was chosen by nearly 50 southeast Seattle area families, students and stakeholders to represent the values of the community and school.

“I’m so excited to have a school name that represents the qualities that we all want in our schools,” said Leah Africa, a Rainier Beach resident whose son will attend Rainier Valley Leadership Academy this fall. “I look forward to him enjoying his middle school experience and thriving academically at his new school.”

Rainier Valley Leadership Academy’s Principal, Walter Chen, said the school’s Community Advisory Team, which includes a diverse group of community members representing educators and professionals from local businesses and nonprofits, developed options for the name of the school. Each option represented their city, values and goals for students. In the coming months the Community Advisory Team and families will work on the school colors and mascot.

“I’m so excited to have a school name that represents the qualities that we all want in our schools,” said Leah Africa, a Rainier Beach resident whose son will attend Rainier Valley Leadership Academy this fall.

“The name of our school reflects the partnership we have with the Rainier Valley community to work together to provide the best possible education for southeast Seattle students,” Chen said. “Rainier Valley Leadership Academy speaks to our mission of preparing all students for success in college, leadership, and life and our commitment to supporting all students’ futures leading our school, community, and city.”

Chen and the Rainier Valley Leadership Academy staff have been working closely with families and the community for nearly two years to create an inviting school, free and open to all, that best meets the needs of students and the community and is a place where every family feel welcome. “Families chose a name for the school that spoke to them and the kind of school they want for their child,” said Emijah Smith, a Community Advisory Team member.

“Once we met the staff and Walter and learned more about Green Dot, it was an easy decision to send my child to this school.”

“Once we met the staff and Walter and learned more about Green Dot, it was an easy decision to send my child to this school,” Africa said. “We love the diversity of our community, and wanted the same in the school he goes to. We know this will be a good fit for him.”

Rainier Valley Leadership Academy is part of the Green Dot Public Schools Washington network and is a public, tuition-free school and is open to all students. Rainier Valley Leadership Academy is now enrolling incoming sixth graders for the 2017-2018 school year and will grow into a full sixth through eighth grade middle school over the next three years. Stay up to date with more information from Rainier Valley Leadership Academy by following us on Facebook or contact us with any questions.


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