Kapka Cooperative Elementary School

My granddaughter has been going to kapka for two years. She loves it very much, very happy everyday. "best school in the world" she says all the time. It is play-based, so she has a lot of fun playing games and exploring, at the same time, she has learned quite a bit in the last two years! Kindergarten class goes to the zoo every week, not so much to see animals, but to use places in the zoo as playground, for example, the african village, is a great imagine and play area. Of course, they will see some animals on their way there and back.There is a lot of focus in community as well, and outdoor play. When it snowed last year, K teacher was very excited that the whole class can get to play in the snow. It is great to see the passion in the lower grade teachers. Loving the school so far!
Nov 22nd, 2019

My wife and I marvel daily, it seems, at how lucky we were to find KapKa for our kindergarten son.Where to start, when describing this school? I think most of all, the word is COMMUNITY. The child-raising cliche is that it "takes a village", but wow, the village really IS KapKa. Your kid is embraced there, by all. Every teacher (at every grade) knows every child, their strengths and challenges, their growth areas, their hopes and dreams. It's a place where every kid genuinely comes to feel like they belong.Our kindergartner is my fourth child, and yet with every interaction I have with KapKa's teachers and staff, I feel I learn something new and grow as a parent. They are thoughtful, engaged, caring, wise beyond their years, empathetic to each individual. Gifted educators, all.What's interesting is that the aspect that gave us initial pause about coming to KapKa -- the coop requirement that each family participate in the community through a parent job and a parent work shift -- has turned out to actually be a blessing. It's turned the schooling situation into one where we're actively involved, informed, and helping shape what happens, to a far greater degree than it would be otherwise.We also like how, in this small school, there are countless ways that the staff integrates the different classes in various cross-grade learning activities. What's also notable is that even in this intentionally "play-oriented" environment for the younger grades, we've seen our kindergartner thrive academically. It seems that just about everything gets creatively incorporated into a learning opportunity, from the counting games on the playground to the careful labeling of the shelves in the "garden store" that the kindergartners set up for parents.We couldn't be happier that we chose KapKa.
May 28th, 2018

Social skills are paramount in today's high tech lifestyle - this one of the reasons we chose KapKa - we all must learn to get along and work together! KapKa does not ascribe to a particular educational philosophy but it does lean upon Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio Emillia in some of its approaches and traditions. There is quite a bit of project-based learning and plenty of hands-on activities. What that means is that children are engaged and never think about "learning" because it's fun (and work) in a very supportive, nurturing environment.
May 26th, 2018

We stumbled upon Kapka while exploring options in North Seattle for kindergarten.  Kapka felt right from the start.  The size is right, the philosophy is right, and the teachers are engaged and just generally wonderful.  Our son looks forward to going to school every day, which I don't know would be the case in a more traditional model.  At Kapka, the kids are encouraged to learn through exploration, with an emphasis on emotional growth.  My son feels really empowered and confident in this environment.We had some concerns about the parent participation levels, especially since we both work full time.  There are options for that, including a "pay out" if necessary.  But, in the end, it's worth the extra juggling.  Having a parent there for a few hours a week makes us part of the community and real participants in the kids' education.  Kapka has been a true gift for us.
May 16th, 2018

My wife and I marvel daily, it seems, at how lucky we were to find KapKa for our kindergarten son. Where to start, when describing this school? I think most of all, the word is COMMUNITY. The child-raising cliche is that it "takes a village", but wow, the village really IS KapKa. Your kid is embraced there, by all. Every teacher (at every grade) knows every child, their strengths and challenges, their growth areas, their hopes and dreams. It's a place where every kid genuinely comes to feel like they belong. Our kindergartner is my fourth child, and yet with every interaction I have with KapKa's teachers and staff, I feel I learn something new and grow as a parent. They are thoughtful, engaged, caring, wise beyond their years, empathetic to each individual. Gifted educators, all. What's interesting is that the aspect that gave us initial pause about coming to KapKa -- the coop requirement that each family participate in the community through a parent job and a parent work shift -- has turned out to actually be a blessing. Its turned the schooling situation into one where were actively involved, informed, and helping shape what happens, to a far greater degree than it would be otherwise. We also like how, in this small school, there are countless ways that the staff integrates the different classes in various cross-grade learning activities. Whats also notable is that even in this intentionally play-oriented environment for the younger grades, weve seen our kindergartner thrive academically. It seems that just about everything gets creatively incorporated into a learning opportunity, from the counting games on the playground to the careful labeling of the shelves in the garden store that the kindergartners set up for parents. We couldnt be happier that we chose KapKa.
May 6th, 2018