Eton School, founded in 1978, is an independent school offering a comprehensive education for the whole child. Our approach is developmental, as we assist the unfolding of each child’s potential. We offer Eton Montessori for the needs of the student in pre-elementary through third grade and Eton Veladare Academy for students fourth through eighth grade. Five lower elementary classes are located in Eton School’s one and one half acre facility at 2701 Bellevue-Redmond Road. Six upper elementary and seven pre-elementary classes occupy the adjacent buildings. Eton is accredited by PNAIS, the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools and AMS, the American Montessori Society, and recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the U. S. Department of Education.

Eton Montessori, serving students age 3 to age 9 years in the pre and lower elementary levels, provides a Montessori education using both traditional Montessori and contemporary materials. By following the child, Eton Montessori encompasses both the Montessori approach as well as methods and curriculum consistent with current research. Within multi-age grouping (3 - 6 and 6 - 9) children receive both individual and group instruction, working at their own pace using concrete, “hands on” materials. Each child learns basic skills in an environment that promotes concentration, order, independence and a love for learning.

Eton Veladare Academy, serving students age 9 to age 14 years, continues the philosophy of educating the whole child in an increasingly teacher-directed approach. Recognizing the unique emotional, social and academic needs of fourth through eighth grade students, the teachers work as a close team to provide the opportunity for growth in a program that is developmentally responsive to these needs.

We believe strongly that children benefit most from their education at Eton School by progressing through both programs, as there is a continuity of philosophy from Eton Montessori to Eton Veladare Academy. Education is a process that follows a child’s growth through each stage of development. For optimal progress, each successive educational environment is required to meet the emerging needs of the growing individual. A child who stays for both programs will have a strong educational experience that responds to these stages in a safe and nurturing community from early childhood to adolescence.

The faculty have a variety of backgrounds, possessing Montessori and/or Washington State Certification. Many are experienced in the public schools and several hold Master's Degrees.

It is our goal to develop the child's intellectual curiosity and guide him/her to independence. Observers will note two distinct components of the classrooms - the students are working individually and are pursuing their learning with concrete, "hands on" materials.

At Eton School, students are guided toward independent learning. They find self-confidence by knowing that they are choosing material based on their own interests and by pacing themselves according to their own abilities. The environment is structured in such a way that, at a minimum, the state-required skills are developed.

Students often correct their own work, but it is always reviewed by the teacher. Pre-elementary students explore materials that are self-correcting, discovering their mistakes through exploration. Lower elementary students use materials that incorporate more abstract thinking and some activities require direct help when errors and processes need clarification. Completed Work Plans are sent home regularly. Upper elementary students are given daily assignments along with research projects requiring longer range planning. Parents of upper students receive informal reports bi-monthly. A written Progress Report is given to parents at all levels two times a year. We value home-school communication and hold formal parent-teacher Conferences in the Fall and Spring.

Parents are always welcome to observe in the classroom and their help is appreciated. The faculty request parents to monitor home study assignments and review weekly work with their child. There are opportunities to volunteer in the classroom, work in the library, help with special events, be on the auction committee and to become involved in a variety of other ways.

Students leaving Eton School are prepared for wherever they go. They have independent study skills and a love of learning. Horizontal learning has exposed them to a vast variety of subjects. Steps are taken to assure that all grade-level requirements are met, although expectations are beyond this minimum. Our students continue their success.

The curriculum is broad; (the curriculum for specific grades levels - pre-elementary, grades 1 - 3 and grades 4 - 8 - is outlined elsewhere.) Besides the self-contained classroom subject areas, specialists provide art, foreign language(s), music, library skills, physical education, physical science and technology.

In addition to classroom learning, the following activities are among those that have been made available to interested students:

• computer classes
• movement classes
• foreign language
• jump rope classes
• music classes
• Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts
• art classes
• sign language

Eton School offers several social events to help families get to know each other. New parents are invited to a Welcome Social to celebrate their child’s first day of the school year. Later in September, Eton kicks off the school year with its annual all school Hoedown including dinner, pony rides and entertainment. Most classes organize potlucks later in the fall so families within each class can socialize. Eton’s yearly fundraiser culminates in a gala event inviting parents to a dinner auction at a nearby facility. In the spring, the Ice Cream Social/Book and Art Fair is a well-attended evening that includes current families along with newly accepted families.

Current tuition rates are given with the admission information. The school day varies according to grade level with childcare available before and after school. Students bring a lunch with half-pints of milk available for purchase. Hot lunch may be purchased five days a week through a caterer. Transportation to and from school is not available. Families form carpools with the assistance of zip code lists provided by the school.

An application form must be completed and returned with a non-refundable $100 fee. Eton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, disability, national or ethnic origin or similar factors. Depending on circumstances and age of the candidate, the current school/teacher is contacted to help gather information regarding the match of the student to Eton School. Parents and students will be asked to visit Eton School for an interview with the Director and an age-appropriate evaluation. For Fall enrollments, parents will be notified of acceptance by the end of March, or after this date within four weeks of receipt of application. At other times of the year, applications will be handled on an individual basis. An enrollment position is secured when the first month's tuition is pre-paid. A detailed outline of the application procedure and timeline is provided with the admission information.

Eton School offers a full program from pre-elementary (3 years of age) through grade 8:

1. The self-contained classrooms for the basic subjects provide the following opportunities:
   continuity with previous work;
   leadership roles;
   small group community;
   controlled input during a time when attitudes toward self and toward school are set;
   increased self-esteem.
   
2. The Montessori mixed-age group:
   fosters self-reliance;
   allows sharing of talents, seeing others as resources;
   permits younger students to learn by observing;
   reinforces learning of older students by helping others;
   provides leadership experience at each age level.
   
3. The abundance of hands-on, sensorial materials that equip the classrooms at Eton School:
   guarantee success;
   recognize the variety of learning styles;
   make possible work with advanced concepts;
   ease learning and lead to abstraction;
   are not teaching aids to help the teacher, but materials used independently by the student of his/her own free will.
   
4. The individualized program:
   encourages creativity
   allows a personal pace
   fosters the human potential
   elevates self-concept
   develops independence and self-responsibility.
   

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