Home Our Staff Our PTA Powerful Schools Kid's Corner

Why Choose John Muir

John Muir Elementary School is a culturally diverse school where students are nurtured and learning is celebrated. We are located in the beautiful Mount Baker neighborhood in the heart of the Rainier Valley. We feature free full-day kindergarten and the average class size in Kindergarten is 19 students. All classrooms place a strong emphasis on reading, math, and writing basics. Our curriculum includes an inquiry-based science curriculum from the National Science Foundation that is taught in all grades, beginning with Kindergarten. All students receive instruction in visual arts year round. We have computers in every classroom and state-of-the-art technology capabilities. Before and after-school child care is available at Kids’ Corner, an independent, on-site childcare facility.


Academics

John Muir’s statewide test scores are higher than many other Seattle elementary schools that are not as economically and ethnically diverse. (Check out GreatSchools.net to learn more about test scores.)

At every grade level and in every subject area students at Muir learn through the processes of investigation and inquiry. The student is an active participant while teachers help guide and focus student investigations. The result is students who have the skills and desire to be life-long learners.

Back to the top


Innovative Programs and Enrichment

Through the integration of art, technology and environmental concern in our curriculum, we strive to educate the whole child and establish the basis for life-long learning.

  • We offer Visual Arts, Physical Education & Instrumental Music classes.
  • Currently, we are providing Mandarin Chinese language immersion to students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade.
  • All classes receive grade-level appropriate health instruction as part of the physical education curriculum.
  • A free after-school sports program provides instruction and practice to participants in our performing gymnastics group.
  • All 2nd and 3rd grade students learn Chess through a "First Moves" Chess grant
  • 4th and 5th graders participate in the IslandWood outdoor education program.
  • The Powerful Schools program offers academic and recreational classes for our multicultural population such as one-to-one mentoring, tutoring and artists & writers in residence

Back to top


Features of the Academic Program

  • Spectrum Grades 1-5: our Spectrum classrooms are composed of District-identified students and students who are teacher-identified as being able to benefit from the rigor and acceleration of the Spectrum curriculum.
  • English as a Second Language (ESL).
  • Guided Language Aquisition and Development (GLAD) and National Urban Alliance (NUA) Literacy Strategies
  • National Science Foundation inquiry-based science curriculum.
  • Special Education Resource classroom and Special Education Behavioral Disabilities.

Back to top


Library Program + Tech Resources

The mission of the Library Program is to create a warm, welcoming environment where students are empowered to become lifelong learners, lovers of the written word and effective users of ideas, information and technology.

  • Our library has 7,399 titles and 12,600 copies with an average monthly circulation of 1,400 volumes. There are 3 current print encyclopedias at two grade levels and subscriptions to 17 periodical magazines.
  • The student to computer ratio is one of the lowest in the district at 3.5 students to computer (compared to the state average of 6.4).
  • Students have access to a computer lab with 25 computers
  • There are computers and internet access in every classroom.
  • Our computers are all networked, so students can save their work on the server and then open, view and work on their documents in their classrooms, in the library and in the lab.

Back to top


Diverse Community

We are located in the Mount Baker neighborhood, in the Rainer Valley, the most racially and economically diverse area in Seattle. The richness and diversity of our community is reflected in our student body.

  • About 89% of our students are students of color and over 15% speak English as their second language.
  • We celebrate our diversity through an integrated curriculum, assemblies, after-school programs, and special events.
  • At our last Cultural Diversity Potluck the Kindergarten students did a wonderful job singing “Hello” in 9 different languages and we were treated to songs and dances of SE Asia as performed by 1st – 5th graders!

Current Ethniticy Statistics

Back to top



Small Classes in a Nurturing Environment

We are a small, intimate school (313 students as of September 2007) where students are known and supported by teachers, staff, and parents.

  • The average class size is 19 students in kindergarten. Class size in the other grades varies from year to year, but is always within Dristrict Class size limits.
  • We have a full-time family support worker who provides students and families with access to social services.
  • The Star Program encourages students are encouraged to become “Self Managers” – showing responsibility and excellent learning behavior and earning special privileges.
  • We have adopted the Second Step and Steps to Respect programs on a school-wide basis to help children develop healthy relationships and ensure that they feel safe, respected, and cared for.
  • John Muir has a Conflict Resolution Program that consists of 30 trained 4th and 5th graders. Students are trained for 4 hours on mediation and communication skills to help Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders solve problems on the playground.
  • John Muir students wear uniforms to school.

Back to top


Experienced, Dedicated Staff

Inspiring, energetic teachers with strong leadership are key to creating an exceptional leaning environment. We experience very low staff turnover, resulting in very experienced and dedicated teachers.

  • 45% of our teachers have 13 years or more experience and 90% have advanced degrees.
  • Along with the certified classroom teachers there are certificated specialists in art, music, physical education, computer, library and reading.

Back to top


Community Partners

  • Our PTA is active and growing PTA – the PTA membership has doubled in the last year!
  • The PTA sponsors many programs throughout the year, including:
    • General Membership Meetings
    • Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) Book Giveaways
    • Book Fair to raise money for the Library
    • Field Trip Buses
    • Financial Support for Special Programs
  • We are part of Powerful Schools – a Rainier Valley program uniting students, teachers, parents, volunteers, and neighborhood resources into a powerful community dedicated to helping all children succeed in school.
  • The Mount Baker Community Club is partnering with John Muir to increase access to neighborhood resources and encourage more Mount Baker families to get involved with our school.

Back to top

©2008 John Muir Elementary