PSCS provides students with a collaborative environment, community support, and ownership of their education.

Although many of the courses and activities at PSCS are cross-grade, PSCS is divided into two distinct but overlapping programs: middle school and high school. Students who fully embrace the opportunities offered at PSCS show consistent progress in self-expression, leadership, and skill building in almost any endeavor, and are starting to recognize they are part of something bigger than themselves.

Middle School (6-8th Grade)

Our philosophy nurtures in our 6th-8th graders a deeper understanding of themselves and their responsibilities to those around them.

In middle school, Advisors and older students act as coaches and guides in this process, assisting our youngest and newest to identify and pursue their interests while helping them to develop the skills they need to derive the greatest benefit from the community.

Middle school students are required to participate in some specific programs and activities, including Seminars and Projects, but are asked to invest most fully in discovering who they are as individuals and who they are in community.

High School (9-12)

9-12th grade at PSCS is focused on the concepts of self-awareness, self-direction, and goal-setting.

Students are challenged by their Advisors to participate in offerings because students find excitement and/or purpose in them. They choose classes, co-create the schedule, model the core commitments of the school, and start to define leadership for themselves.

Advisors help students a) identify short- and long-term goals (and map out strategies to achieve them); b) provide support in understanding and prioritizing required Seminars and WA State Graduation Requirements; and c) engage in a process of authentic self-reflection that supports them in moving toward their next goals, whether that be higher education, starting their own business, travel, or any number of life pursuits.

Graduating from PSCS

PSCS graduates demonstrate high levels of self-expression, motivation, and commitment to the community. A student’s senior year at PSCS is the culminating expression of the arc of the student journey and is structured to showcase these qualities.

In order to move into the senior year, 11th grade students must first complete our Junior Seminar process. The junior year is meant to scaffold a more intensive Senior Process, which includes a yearlong Project, a credo process, practicums, text studies, and more.

Seniors seeking a diploma are required to meet the PSCS graduation requirements, as well as the Washington State graduation requirements. High school students and families work with Advisors to create individualized pathways that satisfy these requirements.

PSCS Alum

PSCS graduates demonstrate a powerful knowledge of self, the ability to self-direct, and the passion to set ambitious goals. Our alum move on to do many things including traveling, working, volunteering, creating, performing, and pursuing higher education.

PSCS believes that college is one of many paths a young person can take after high school, but we’ve found that youth who have had ownership over their education, often wish to pursue college or university (most of our seniors apply to 4-year college or university).

If a high school student chooses further education, PSCS staff work closely with them and their families to develop strategies for getting into programs that interest them and fit their needs. This involves identifying entrance requirements and doing the work to meet them (which might include preparing for the SAT or the Common Application Process).

Where do PSCS alumni go?

PSCS grads have been accepted to, currently attend, or have attended, a wide variety of undergrad and graduate schools, including:

Bellevue College
Boston Conservatory of Music at Berklee
Cal Arts
Central Washington University
Columbia University
Cornish College of the Arts
DigiPen
Edmonds College
George Mason University
L.A. School of Music
Make Up Forever Academy
Marymount Manhattan College
Missouri State University
Montclair State
North Seattle College
New York University
Ohio-Wesleyan University
Oregon Culinary Institute
Pacific Lutheran University
Parsons School of Design in New York
Portland Actors Conservatory
Quest University
Reed College
Sarah Lawarence
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Seattle Central College
Seattle University
Shoreline College
St John’s College
St Martin’s College
The Evergreen State College
The New School
The School of Oregon Ballet Theater
University of Illinois
University of Evansville
University of Minnesota
University of Sarajevo Film School
University of Washington
University of Washington (Bothell)
University of Washington (College of Engineering)
Webster University
Western Washington University
Western Washington University (Fairhaven)
Whittier College

"I’ve gone to a school where my voice has been valued, where I've been given the opportunity to make my own choices and compassion has been paramount. A place with teachers who have actually care about me and how I'm doing. A place where I learned how to read. And when I say learned how to read, I don’t mean learned how to read, I mean I learned how to read.”

-pscs senior credo

PSCS Graduation Requirements

Senior Handbook (sample)

Featured Profile

Steve Morton

Steve’s daughter Gracie was enrolled in a public high school, but the daily homework load was interfering with her life’s passion, which is dance. When Gracie came to PSCS, the school worked with her to make dance a primary focus of her life. For the Morton family, school became a partner rather than an adversary.