Lopez Elementary School
Educating the Whole Child
We understand that children mature academically, socially, emotionally, and physically at different times, in different ways. Trusting in each child's unique trajectory, we help them experience success at every grade level. Our students learn math, science, reading, literacy and writing in grade level groups and take classes in music, art, physical education, and garden with their age peers. With an average of only 14 - 15 students per class, they receive personal attention that naturally leads to caring relationships with their teachers, classmates, and classroom volunteers.
Our elementary school teachers are a self-directed, independent group who believe that children learn best in an atmosphere of safety, tenderness, and belonging. Committed to helping our youngest students get a strong start, they create cozy, nurturing classrooms where children begin exploring the meaningful work that will be theirs throughout the school years.
Teachers and Support Staff
Our teachers all have excellent credentials and continually seek professional development. As they define and refine the school's multi-age homerooms and age-level subject groups, they explore ways to marry the state's learning objectives to a program that engages, excites and involves youngsters.
The elementary support staff is exceptionally strong, often sharing the joys and responsibilities of teaching the children. People say that our elementary school is like a family. It is a description we love to hear!
Garden Program
Our L.I.F.E. garden is recognized as one of the premier teaching gardens in the country. Beginning in kindergarten, our certified garden teacher takes students outdoors weekly to sow, cultivate, and harvest their own organic produce. Back in the classroom, students learn math, science, reading, and literacy using fun, hands-on lessons based on Antonia Demas's award-winning Food Is Elementary curriculum. The L.I.F.E. garden is affecting lasting change in our children's eating choices. Once interested in fast-food and processed meals, they now choose fresh fruits and veggies regularly harvested from their gardens and served in the school lunch line.
LEAD (Lopez Elementary Adventure Days) and Enrichment
We offer a wealth of enrichment opportunities. In addition to weekly classes in art, music, physical education, garden, and TinkerLab, students participate in LEAD days and take regular field trips to such places as Seattle's Children's Theater, Boeing's Museum of Flight, the Washington State Historical Museum, and the state capitol.
Helping children develop age-appropriate skills in cooperation, respect, and team building is also a key focus. Playtime, physical education, and recess are venues to explore these issues and teachers use circle time to teach social skills such as fairness, decision making, and compassion.
Learn more about:
Elementary K-6 teaching team
2021-22 Elementary School Improvement Plan
2023-24 OSPI Elementary Report Card