Founding

Founded in 1994, PSCS is a Washington State–approved private school and a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Location

660 S. Dearborn Street, in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District.

School Hours

9am to 3:40pm.

Head of School

Amy Hollinger

Student/Teaching Staff Ratio

11:1

Grades

Our students are between the ages of 11 and 18 (grades 6–12 in more traditional schools). Most of our new students are enrolled in 6th-8th grades, although we will consider students entering 9th and 10th grades.

Enrollment 2020-21

45 students from Seattle and the greater metropolitan area.

Accreditation/Membership

Subscriber School, North West Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS)

Member, National Association of Independent Schools

Member, Washington Federation of Independent Schools (WFIS)

Staff

PSCS has 5 Teaching Staff members who offer a range of courses during the school year and 5 administrators, including our Head of School.

Volunteers

Typically 30–40.

Tuition Aid

PSCS is committed to allocating a significant amount of tuition aid to assist families with financial need. The school uses an impartial outside entity to evaluate and determine objective financial need. It is also our intention that enrolled students are able to fully participate in all activities for which they qualify, and that the cost of these activities is not a barrier to participating. We do not wish to nickel and dime families after they've been enrolled. In support of this, PSCS has a program aid fund available for families who need help with such expenses. PSCS

Grades/Testing

Students are not given letter grades at PSCS and are not required to take any standardized, performance-based, assessment tests either to be admitted to PSCS or during their time here.

Graduation Credentials

PSCS is a state-approved private school and offers graduates an official Washington state high school diploma (see PSCS Graduation Requirements).

Extracurricular Activities

There is no distinction at PSCS between “curricular” and “extra-curricular” activities. Art, music, math, grammar, conversation, play—all of these are part of our curriculum. But there are some activities that by nature are difficult to house in a small school setting. When students demonstrate an interest in pursuing these kinds of activities we help them find ways to get involved by joining a sports league, a student theater production, internships, apprenticeships, etc. These fall under the category of Independent Study and must be balanced with Community Hours.

Featured Profile

Deb Schaack

Deb Schaack

PSCS friend and volunteer, Deb Schaack, first got involved with PSCS in 1997 when, after completing a year of service with AmeriCorps, she earned a job as a member of the teaching staff. She taught at the school for nine years before becoming an entrepreneur. Now she runs a business, Central Physical Therapy & Fitness, with her partner, Jutta. Identifying the highlight of her time at PSCS is not easy. “As anybody who’s been involved with PSCS for any stretch of time will tell you, it’s very difficult to pick out just one memorable moment. It’s more like a stream of moments. A few that come to mind: sitting motionless with a couple students on a backpacking trip as we watch an obviously just-born fawn try out her legs . . . walking through freezing rain on a peace walk chanting with monks . . . working with students to create an in-school snack store.” Deb says this is exactly what makes PSCS so special. “PSCS is important because it pays attention to and values the subtle small daily actions of life, knowing that it’s the sum of these actions that create who we are as individuals and as a community. In a world that is practically bombarded by news of big ‘events,’ it’s important to give value to the little things as well.” Read More >