Giddens School

A School That Truly Lives Its Values Giddens School has been an extraordinary place for our child and our family. Our son is a rising third grader who started at Giddens in kindergarten, and the growth we've seen-academically, emotionally, and socially-has been remarkable. Giddens is a student-centered school where every child is seen and valued for who they are. The faculty are attentive, thoughtful educators who genuinely care about the whole child. As we worked through the process of understanding and supporting our son's ADHD, the school was a true partner-collaborative, responsive, and committed to helping him thrive. They welcome different learning styles and support students in ways that feel personal and grounded in trust. One of the most meaningful aspects of Giddens is its deep and sincere commitment to equity and inclusion. As a queer family with three dads, we have always felt welcomed, affirmed, and included in every part of school life. The school community celebrates diverse families and identities, and we see that commitment reflected in the curriculum, the faculty, and the conversations that happen in and out of the classroom. Giddens also puts access into practice. Tuition includes things like after-school programs, field trips, snacks, and technology, which removes hidden barriers and ensures that every student can participate fully in the school experience. The school's mission of academic excellence, social responsibility, and equity isn't just a statement-it's something you can feel in the way the community operates. Another standout feature is the incredible caregiver community. Families are deeply engaged, and the sense of support and connection is real. We've made close, lasting friendships with other families-people we can count on and grow with. Giddens fosters this kind of community intentionally, and it makes a huge difference in the school experience. If you're looking for a progressive independent school in Seattle that balances academic rigor with heart, values diversity in all forms, and builds a strong, inclusive community, Giddens is a rare and wonderful place. We're grateful every day that we found it.

Giddens has been such a wonderful place for my child. The teachers and community are so kind and supportive, and they've been able to accommodate both the advanced and lagging skills my child has. I've been so impressed with the way the teachers have met my child where she's at and the way the specialists have been willing to work with us on all fronts to make school a good experience for her. We value the emphasis on community, the value of the individual, and diversity in all its aspects. We felt welcomed on day 1, years ago, and she is counting down the days to her own fifth-grade graduation.

Proud parent of a 3rd grader who's been at Giddens since she was just three years old. The school isn't just the right academic fit for our daughter but a place where we, as a family, feel a true sense of belonging. We looked at a few other schools, but as soon as we visited Giddens, we could feel it in our bones that this was the place for us. It's the educators and the kindness, patience, and intentionality with which they interact with their students. This is a school where our daughter-and every child-is seen, heard, and loved for who they are. It's not about making them fit into some mold or meet a one-size-fits-all standard. It's about supporting who they are, what they dream about, and helping them become the best version of themselves. We've seen firsthand how this school stays grounded in its values-even when the world outside feels anything but. Giddens doesn't shy away from big conversations. Our kids are learning about climate change, equity, mental health - all the big stuff. Giddens helps them understand the world they're growing up in and how to shape it with compassion and courage. They're not just teaching math and reading. They're helping raise little citizens. These last couple of years haven't been easy for anyone. But through every twist and turn, Giddens has stayed strong. And our daughter has thrived in a place where she's not just taught-she's known. A place where child-centered learning isn't just a philosophy-it's a daily practice.

From the first conversation with the founder of the school to this day, we are continuously moved by the caring and warm community of Giddens School. It is a place where academic achievement is so well balanced with social & emotional learning to raise the next generation of leaders who understand and care about making the world a better place. Giddens School builds confidence and competence for children to succeed.

A Truly Transformative Experience for Our Children. Giddens School has been nothing short of transformative for our family. Our kids have grown academically and blossomed into curious, confident, and compassionate individuals. What stands out most is how much our kids love learning. They come home excited to share what they explored in class, often connecting lessons to the world around them. The teachers nurture that natural curiosity and challenge students in a way that's both supportive and stimulating. Giddens isn't just a school--it's a community that believes in every child's potential. We feel fortunate to be part of it.

Giddens School is everything a modern, mission-driven school should be. Our family has been part of the Giddens community for several years, and our son is currently in 4th grade. We are consistently inspired by the school's deep commitment to equity, joyful learning, and whole-child education. The teachers are exceptional-warm, creative, and deeply attuned to each child's needs and strengths. In addition to providing a stellar education in math, reading, and writing, the school really shines with its inquiry-based approach to learning on display with its SPARK program and DREAM Lab. But what truly sets Giddens apart is its values. This is a place where children are not only challenged academically but also encouraged to grow as empathetic, curious, and confident human beings. You see this whenever Giddens kids gather; they are aware, kind, look out for each other, and stand up for themselves. It's remarkable and heartwarming. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of the Giddens community, where children are seen, supported, and inspired to thrive.

Giddens is a wonderful school and a real community. Our son is in kindergarten and has settled in so well, thanks to the excellent staff and teachers. He is always talking about what a good day he had or how much he can't wait to go back to school when on a long break. Giddens excels beyond simply offering our son a high-quality academic education; it is focused on fostering emotionally well-rounded, integrated kids and a real sense of community among families. We see the benefits of attending Giddens in our son with each passing week. His confidence in himself and his curiosity for the world and for learning have been stoked and nurtured so well at Giddens. Can't say enough good things about this school! Great campus and facilities, tons of enrichment classes. Excellent school.

We couldn't be happier with Giddens School! The teachers are incredibly caring and dedicated, the staff is always supportive and professional, and the facilities are well-maintained and welcoming. The daily schedule is thoughtfully structured, and the enrichment programs truly go above and beyond to spark curiosity and growth. Most of all, the overall environment is warm, inclusive, and inspiring-a place where our child feels safe, challenged, and excited to learn every day. Highly recommended!

We love Giddens! Our kiddo started out in preschool with Steve, who was an incredible teacher and helped her grow and develop. We really like the community feel, the enrichment class options, and the focus on social-emotional learning. Despite some staff changeover over the last few years, our child is very happy and learning so much. It's the right place for us.

We tried our neighborhood public school and transferred to Giddens in 1st Grade. I exhaled within a week. Our twins are moving on to 6th grade in the fall, fully prepared for any challenge that will come their way (academically or socially). And they are nice kids that care about the world around them. We wondered if the Social Justice focus would in any way pull the focus on academics. Very pleased to report that isn't the case in the least. We regularly discuss how fortunate we were to land there.

Both my kids have had a great experience at Giddens, I highly recommend it! My daughter is in middle school now, but frequently comes back to visit. We've found Giddens teachers and staff to be caring, dedicated and committed to ensuring each individual students' needs are being met, both academically and on a social/emotional level. We especially love the social justice focus. My son who is there now is really happy and engaged in this diverse learning community and looks forward to going to school each day.

There are so many things I love about Giddens: the phenomenally talented teachers, the thoughtful way the administration works, the commitment to providing robust financial aid, the focus on social and emotional learning and academics, the way before and after school care are included in tuition (and don't require advance sign up!). This school has built an incredible, close-knit community of learners and I'm so glad my family gets to be a part of it.

We love Giddens School. We drive 20-25 minutes to school every day despite being in "the best school district in the state" because it is worth it. Our children are thriving in every way. Giddens School has an excellent academic curriculum taught in small classes with a focus on social, emotional learning and true commitment to equity and inclusion. The result is amazing. Our children absolutely love school.

Giddens has been fantastic for our family. It has a great program for students and amazing support for working parents. The homework is impactful and optional and (as much as it can be) fun for the student. When my son needed additional help with reading Giddens leveraged its small classes, help inside and outside the classroom, and deep and broad list of community referrals to make sure he went from lagging, to on track, to thriving. Every teacher goes out of their way to make sure each student (including mine) is met on their level and really understands the context of their instruction.

All 3 of my children have had great experiences at Giddens and continue to. I'd highly recommend this school to anyone looking for an inclusive and nurturing environment.

I am so happy to have found Giddens School. I have twins at the school who are currently in K/1; they started as Pre-K students last year. It's been wonderful to see their world's open up as they learn new things. Because of Giddens' focus on social/emotional development, social justice, and academics, they are learning how to manage themselves and their emotions, seeing how they fit into the world and how they can help neighbors in it, and gaining all of the foundational academic skills they'll need to be successful in life. In particular, I value the SPARK program which is a multidisciplinary program where kids learn how to apply what they are learning in science, engineering, math, and social science to create thoughtful art projects. Topics for the projects range from learning about good nutrition, to understanding ancestry through family trees, to learning about what 'home' means around the world and in our own city. This program gives them the ability to synthesize what they are learning from all of their classes and produce a thoughtful project from that knowledge--which is a valuable skill they'll need to be successful in life. The teachers and staff of Giddens are amazing. They are dedicated, effective professionals. My children know them all and feel comfortable, safe, and cared for at school. Again, I'm so very happy to have found Giddens.

Giddens has been a wonderful fit for my kids. My children are cared for in a loving, diverse community that truly embodies it's mission of social justice.

As a mother to two daughters (Kindergarten, 2nd grade), I was seeking an elementary school that would challenge and support them academically, while allowing them to grow their independence, compassion, and resilience. I was also looking for an opportunity for them to learn among children, teachers, staff, and parents with as much diversity and inclusion (across races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations/gender identifications, and economic status) as I could find in Seattle. Giddens School has delivered on those hopes, and as we start our second year, I'm really feeling a sense of community developing.My kids are thriving in small classes (12 - 16 students per class), multi-age classrooms (K/1, 2/3, 4/5) and through school-wide activities (e.g.,: family Spark projects -- multi-disciplinary art/science/social studies projects that run several weeks, each with a different theme (3-4 per year); Morning Sing, buddy programs (pairing 4th/5th graders with K/1s to support emerging readers), and grade band level field trips, art/music programs. Each takes two after-school Enrichment programs, including Parkour, Acting for the Camera, and Trendy Crafts.I was also looking for a non-competitive environment, where my daughters could get a lot of practice taking reasonable risks, socially and academically, and making mistakes (or, razzle frazzles). They are learning how to navigate conflict; how to stand up for themselves (without putting others down); and how to get to know themselves as people, and as learners (while recognizing that others learn and live differently from them). Even with somewhat high expectations, I've been surprised at how quickly even my kindergartner has begun exploring the world with rather sophisticated and complex questions. It's a joy to get to journey with them academically, socially, emotionally, and as citizens of their community.