Westside School

What Westside School does

Westside School is an independent, nonprofit preschool through 8th-grade school founded in 1981 and located in the Arbor Heights neighborhood of West Seattle, Washington. It serves approximately 393 students (2025-26) in three sequential divisions - Early Learning (Preschool & Pre-K), Lower School (K-4), and Middle School (5-8) - on a single 53,000 sq ft purpose-built campus with 27 classrooms, a 350-seat theater, and year-round turf fields. The school is accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) since 1996 and operates with an 8:1 student-teacher ratio across 286 employees.

The school's product is a year-round, inquiry-based educational experience that integrates world language instruction (Spanish and Mandarin, 10 years of study), arts, athletics (CYO league), experiential/outdoor education with overnight trips beginning in 3rd grade, and a formal DEIB program. Co-curricular auxiliary services include an Extended Day program (Before/Aftercare) and a seven-week Summer Camp. Technology infrastructure is conventional for the sector - Finalsite CMS for the website, Veracross for program registration, and a one-to-one Chromebook program in the Middle School - with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities.

Revenue is generated primarily through tiered annual tuition ($23,500 for PS/PK, $26,900 for K-4, $29,900 for 5-8 in 2026-27), paid either annually or over 10 monthly installments. Approximately 24% of students receive need-based tuition assistance with an average award of $14,500. Auxiliary revenue streams include Extended Day fees ($115-$575/month), Summer Camp tuition ($260-$500/week), and athletics fees ($180/season). Distribution is fully direct-to-consumer: prospective families enter a structured admissions funnel with weekly campus tours (October-January), the Ravenna Hub for sign-ups, applicant visit days, and decisions released in March. 90% of enrolled families reside within a five-mile radius of the campus, indicating a tightly localized catchment.

Name

Westside School

Legal name

Westside School

Website

https://westsideschool.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Westside School is an independent, nonprofit preschool through 8th-grade school in West Seattle serving roughly 393 students annually with tuition tiered from $23,500 to $29,900. It delivers an inquiry-based curriculum integrated with world languages, arts, athletics, and experiential education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent K-8 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM), Public Middle Schools (EDAJAAAC)

Keywords

• Independent school education
• Preschool pre-kindergarten
• Lower school elementary
• Middle school education
• Experiential outdoor education

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Westside School generates primary revenue through tuition payments for its independent school programs. Tuition for 2026-2027: Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten $23,500/year; Kindergarten-4th Grade $26,900/year; 5th-8th Grade $29,900/year. Payment options include annual payment (due July 1st) or monthly installments (May through February).
2. Extended Day Program: Before Care: $172/month for 5 days/week. Aftercare (PS & PK): $575/month for 5 days. Aftercare (K-8): ranges from $115/month (1 day) to $460/month (4 days). Drop-in Aftercare: $46/afternoon.
3. Summer Camps: Summer camps run 7 weeks (June 29 - August 14). Full-day Adventure Camp: $400-$500/week. Half-day camps: $260-$372/week. Non-refundable deposits: $125 (half-day), $175 (full-day). Aftercare available for $150/week.
4. Athletics Registration: Athletics fee of $180 per season per student. No fee for families receiving 60% or higher tuition assistance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Westside School is an independent preschool through 8th-grade school in West Seattle that delivers a full-day, student-centered, inquiry-based education supported by arts, athletics, world language (Spanish and Mandarin), and experiential outdoor programming. The school's core commercial offering is annual tuition enrollment, with tiered pricing of $23,500 (Preschool/Pre-K), $26,900 (K-4), and $29,900 (5-8), supplemented by fee-based extended day care and summer camp programs.

Product overview

Westside School is an independent preschool through 8th-grade school offering a unified educational program built around joyful, student-centered, inquiry-based learning. The core academic products include Early Learning (Preschool & Pre-K), Lower School (K-4th), and Middle School (5th-8th). These are supported by specialized programs including The Arts, Athletics, Experiential Education (outdoor trips), and World Language (Spanish & Mandarin). Auxiliary services include Extended Day Program and Summer Camp. The school also maintains a dedicated DEIB Program and Student Support services. All components work together to deliver a holistic educational experience emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, and global citizenship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Learning (Preschool & Pre-Kindergarten) Full-day preschool and pre-Kindergarten program with a play-based, emergent curriculum focused on experiential learning and social-emotional development for children ages 3-4. Tuition: $23,500/year.
• Lower School (Kindergarten-4th Grade) Lower school program for Kindergarten through 4th grade emphasizing inquiry-based learning, collaborative projects, and foundational academic skills in a student-centered environment. Class sizes 16-20 students with one lead teacher and 1-2 instructional assistants. Tuition: $26,900/year.
• Middle School (5th-8th Grade) Middle school program for 5th through 8th grade featuring a student-centered, inquiry-based curriculum integrating academics, arts, social justice, and social-emotional learning, with an advisory program and standards-based grading. Tuition: $29,900/year.
• Athletics Program No-cut athletic program offering cross country, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track and field for students in grades 4-8, participating in the CYO league. Athletics fee: $180 per season per student (waived for families receiving 60%+ tuition assistance).
• The Arts Program Comprehensive arts program including visual arts, music, theater, and dance education integrated throughout all grade levels with performance opportunities, supported by a 350-seat theater.
• Experiential Education Outdoor education program featuring overnight trips beginning in 3rd grade, including Camp Sealth (3rd grade), Islandwood (4th grade), and multi-day middle school adventures across 10 outdoor trip destinations.
• World Language Program Spanish and Mandarin language instruction program where students learn both languages in PS-5th grade, then choose one language in 6th grade with an optional international trip in 8th grade.
• Extended Day Program Before and after-school care program offering before care from 7:30 am to 8:15 am, aftercare until 5:30 pm, and expanded care on school closure days for students in PS-8th grade. Before Care: $172/month (5 days). Aftercare PS/PK: $575/month (5 days). Aftercare K-8: $115-$460/month (1-4 days). Drop-in Aftercare: $46/afternoon.
• Summer Camp Seven-week summer camp program running June 29 to August 14, offering Pre-K camps, Westside Adventure Camp, and enrichment classes including robotics (Bricks 4 Kidz), game design (BEAM Experiences), archery (1UP Recreation), and Killer Whale Tales conservation education. Full-day: $400-$500/week; half-day: $260-$372/week; aftercare: $150/week.
• Student Support Services Academic and social-emotional support services including counseling, learning specialists, and a seven-person Student Support team providing targeted assistance across all grade levels.

Quantifiable outcome

• 44% of alumni respondents took honors math as freshmen in high school
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rainier ScholarscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Strong relationship since 2012. Each year, Westside welcomes Rainier Scholars into the Middle School community, supporting the organization's mission to cultivate future leaders.
• Camp SealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Camp Sealth (Campfire Seattle) for 3rd grade outdoor education. One-night overnight adventure at Camp Sealth's 400-acre waterfront campus focusing on teambuilding, self-management, marine and forest ecology, outdoor living skills, and team building challenge courses.
• IslandwoodcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Islandwood for 4th grade overnight trip. Islandwood is a highly regarded school and model for environmental learning programs. Students explore the extensive campus through classes on sustainability, stewardship, and environmental inquiry with highlights including the Suspension Bridge, Canopy Tower, and Night Hikes.
• People of Color in Independent Schools (POCIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud member of POCIS Northwest, a consortium of independent schools that connects, empowers, and strengthens Black, Indigenous and people of color through programming for education, growth, and community engagement.
• Bricks 4 KidzminorOthersExternal enrichment vendor providing Junior Robotics and LEGO Engineering summer camp programs for students in grades K-8.
• BEAM ExperiencesminorOthersExternal vendor providing Action Arcade: Platformer Game Design summer camp for students in grades 4-8.
• Killer Whale TalesminorOthersExternal vendor providing Killer Whale Tales summer camp focusing on Southern Resident Killer Whales conservation education for students in grades 2-6.
• 1UP RecreationminorOthersExternal vendor providing archery instruction during summer camp for students in grades 4-8.
• Equity & Inclusion Speaker SeriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local independent schools to sponsor the Equity & Inclusion Speaker Series, hosting 4-5 speakers throughout the academic year featuring recognized authors and speakers on equity, inclusion, and antiracist education.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Eastside Preparatory School: Independent K-12 school on the Eastside (Kirkland). Comparable NWAIS member with similar progressive, inquiry-based approach and identified as a high school destination for Westside graduates.
• Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences (SAAS): Independent 6-12 school in Seattle. Comparable NWAIS member with similar inquiry-based, social-emotional learning orientation, and a leading high school destination for Westside 8th-grade graduates.
• University Prep: Independent K-12 school in Seattle. Direct competitor as an NWAIS-accredited independent school serving similar Seattle families with comparable tuition and progressive academic programming.
• The Northwest School: Independent 6-12 school in downtown Seattle. Competes for the same progressive, arts-integrated, DEIB-focused family segment and is a recognized high school placement option for Westside students.
• The Bush School: Independent K-12 day school in Seattle. Direct peer as an NWAIS-accredited independent school with comparable tuition structure and progressive, inquiry-based pedagogy, also a top high school destination for Westside graduates.
• Epiphany School: Independent preschool-8 school in Seattle's Madrona neighborhood. Highly comparable as a similarly-sized, nonsectarian independent day school offering preschool through 8th grade with DEIB emphasis and inquiry-based learning.
• Lakeside School: Premier independent day school in Seattle serving grades 5-12. Directly comparable as a NWAIS-accredited Seattle-area independent school competing for the same family demographic, with Lakeside being a frequent high school destination for Westside graduates.

Others

• Ravenna Solutions: Admissions platform used by Westside School for tour scheduling and applications. Adjacent ecosystem partner rather than a competitor — illustrates the tech stack common to independent K-8 schools but not directly comparable as an educational service.

Regional players

• Holy Names Academy: Catholic all-girls high school in Seattle. Comparable as a Seattle-area independent high school destination for Westside graduates, though operating in a different segment (high school, parochial).
• St. Therese Catholic Academy: Parochial K-8 school in West Seattle area. Competes locally for the same family demographic but operates under a different funding/religious model, limiting direct head-to-head competition on tuition-dependent positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/westsideschool
• Instagraminstagram.com/westsideschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/westside-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Westside School