I feel a little crazy already trying to sort through elementary school options for my 3 year-old, but I’ve had far too many friends realize that most of the kindergarten seats at their private elementary school of choice were “locked down” for kids who’d been attending there since preschool — and so with that plus some of the challenges we’ve had with preschool, I’m looking into what elementary school options would be good to consider and whether they have preschool programs that would be a good fit for my child.

Ever since my house was re-allocated in Seattle Public Schools zoning back before my child was born, I’d always figured that my “default” would be to send a child to the Catholic school down the street — it’s a good school, has a diverse and caring community, I like that it’s K-8, and as a member of the parish there, I’d get a discount on tuition. But now that I’m watching my child’s developing gender expression, I’m no longer nearly as sure that it would be a safe/healthy fit. And while I’d also always thought of Licton Springs (previously AS#1) as my public school backup, I’m both no longer confident that it will be around for my child’s elementary years and also no as longer confident that it is as good of an environment as it once was.

Has anyone else here had their kids in Seattle area Catholic schools, and what was that experience like for them? Are there other private schools you’d suggest? We are in north Seattle, and a colleague at work has suggested Evergreen, which is quite close to us.

Thanks!

— Miki