Kindergarten at Graham Hill
Graham Hill students will become lifelong learners and problem solvers. They will work to get along with others and respect differences. Come join us as we begin this journey together.
Chris Morningstar, Principal
Kindergarten at Graham Hill
Kindergarten is such a wondrous time for you and your child. At Graham Hill, we have outstanding and experienced Kindergarten teachers to lead the way.
Our teachers nurture the sense of excitement generated as children start to make sense of letters, sounds, words and numbers on their path to literacy and numeracy.
Our Traditional and Montessori programs offer choices to meet the learning style of your child. All Kindergarten classes are full-day, from 9:10-3:15. The Montessori preschool and Kindergarten program is tuition-based, then free through 5th grade. There is no fee for the traditional Kindergarten program.
At Graham Hill your child will learn about math and science through hands-on inquiry based discovery, explore their place in a larger community through social studies, learn the importance of exercise, nutrition and what it means to be a kind friend and a good citizen in PE. Your child will also learn self-expression through visual art and experience the power of music with our award-winning music instructor.
Curious about what options exist for your child outside of class, and beyond Kindergarten, at Graham Hill?
- Traditional and Montessori programs, continuing through 5th grade.
- Noted Autism Inclusion program expanded in 2006.
- Chinese Immersion program taught by native Mandarin speaker in grades K-2.
- Tutoring available for every student not at level, in academic partnership with the Mekong Center and Communities in Schools.
- Scientific partnership with the Audubon Society, based in the Seward Park Environmental Learning Center.
- Professionally staffed on-site before- and after-school care available at Graham Hill Kids Company (725-3540).
- Kindergarten participation in Powerful Writers program. Young Authors’ Conferences and the Reading Is Fundamental program encourage children’s love for reading, with three book donations for each child throughout the year.
- Creative partnership with Pacific Northwest Ballet (”Discover Dance” and “Dance Chance“) challenges children artistically.
- Participation in the President’s Challenge fitness program in physical education.
- PTA-organized after-school break activities have included creative writing, music, dance, yoga, art, drama, circus, chess club, jumprope and more.
- Dynamic playground and modern building facilities renovated in 2004. PTA committee sets new goals each year to improve and update the grounds.
- Year-round community-building events have included the Fall Festival, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Assembly, Lunar New Year Assembly, Heritage Night and the Spring Sing.
2008 Kindergarten tour information – print our brochure
Graham Hill offers your Kindergartner dedicated and highly qualified teachers and staff including:
- an award-winning music teacher,
- a creative and kinesthetic PE teacher,
- on-site ESL teachers,
- a full-time counselor, teaching Kelso’s Choice and Positive Discipline curricula,
- a family support worker,
- a Chinese immersion specialist,
- special eduction (autism, speech therapy and occupations therapy).
Kindergartners participate in weekly physical education and music classes, as well as computer literacy. We feature a highly diverse student body, pre-K through 5th grade, and many opportunities for community participation and growth through an active and committed parent and family community.
In 2007, Graham Hill Elementary was honored as a “School of Distinction” by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Graham Hill was one of only five Seattle elementary schools to receive this award for meeting 2007 WASL targets and showing strong academic improvement over the last six years. The award reflects the top 5% of schools statewide who have maintained these standards of academic excellence.