Established in 1982 and nestled in Mountlake Terrace, WA, Brighton School stands as a foundation of academic excellence and character development in its community. Led by Suzanne Adams, Head of School, Brighton is renowned as a Cognia Accredited PreK-8th private school, complemented by a DCYF Licensed Preschool & Prekindergarten.

Brighton School offers a rigorous academic curriculum that exceeds state and national standards. It emphasizes core subjects such as English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Honors-level courses in middle school challenge students to excel, preparing them for future academic endeavors in high school and college.

Central to Brighton’s educational philosophy is STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education. This integrated approach fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation among students, essential skills for navigating a rapidly evolving world. Despite the academic rigor, Brighton maintains a supportive environment where students receive additional support through tutoring, study sessions and personalized academic counseling.

Apart from academics, the establishment prepares students for success beyond the classroom. Guidance on high school applications, standardized testing preparation and the development of essential life skills are integral parts of the educational experience. Character development and values education are equally emphasized, aiming to cultivate well-rounded individuals who are both academically proficient and ethically and socially responsible.

Balancing Achievement and Well-being

Brighton School’s educational philosophy integrates project-based learning as a cornerstone, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving and practical knowledge application. In this educational setting, students delve deeply into subjects collaboratively, fostering a sense of ownership in their education. The school’s student-centered approach tailors instruction to individual needs, interests and learning styles, enhancing motivation and ensuring each student achieves their potential.

Inclusivity is fundamental here, ensuring all students access high-quality education through differentiated instruction and culturally responsive teaching. This creates an equitable learning community where every student feels valued. Brighton’s philosophy emphasizes rigorous academics, promoting mastery of essential skills and fostering intellectual curiosity.

Alongside academics, the school prioritizes students’ social-emotional well-being, fostering resilience, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills critical for success. The learning environment balances fun and challenge with engaging activities that excite while pushing students to exceed expectations. This approach ensures that students remain enthusiastic and motivated to achieve continually.

Fostering 21^st Century Skills

At Brighton School, the integration of 21st-century skills like creativity, collaboration and communication is embedded throughout the curriculum. Central to this approach is ‘Project-based Learning (PBL),’ where students engage in real-world projects that cultivate creative problem-solving and teamwork. The school’s interdisciplinary curriculum integrates STEAM subjects, fostering innovative thinking across disciplines.

In Brighton classrooms, technology is seamlessly merged into the learning experience, enhancing digital communication and technical proficiency. Flexible seating arrangements and group workstations promote a collaborative culture, while activities such as presentations, debates and creative arts programs encourage expressive communication and creative exploration.

To support these innovative initiatives, the school invests heavily in continuous professional development for teachers, ensuring they stay abreast of the latest educational strategies and technologies.

Extracurricular opportunities like robotics, coding clubs, debate teams, and drama groups further enrich students’ abilities in creativity, collaboration and communication. Through these comprehensive strategies, Brighton School equips students with the essential skills needed for success.

Educational Expeditions

Brighton School enriches learning through experiential projects that go beyond traditional classrooms. Students participate in diverse, hands-on experiences, including overnight trips to iconic locations providing immersive educational opportunities.

• Mt. Rainier: Ecology and geology exploration firsthand.
• San Juan Islands: Marine biology studies.
• Mt. St. Helens: Volcanic activity and disaster recovery.
• East Coast: American history and culture in cities like Washington, D.C., Boston, and New York City.

In addition to these iconic trips, the school organizes frequent field trips to local sites such as parks, farms, beaches, and businesses. These trips enhance students’ connection to their community and deepen their understanding of local ecology, agriculture and maritime activities.

Servant Leadership Projects: Community service initiatives are a cornerstone of Brighton’s experiential learning approach. Students engage in projects like supporting food banks, adopting parks, and maintaining storm drains. These activities instill values of responsibility and civic engagement, preparing students to make meaningful contributions to society.

Ensuring Equity and Accessibility

At Brighton School, an inclusive environment is fostered through diverse policies, practices and community engagement. The curriculum is designed to reflect various cultures and perspectives, ensuring all students feel represented and valued. “Clear policies against bullying and discrimination” are in place to promote equality, and staff receive regular training in diversity, equity and inclusion. This continuous professional development helps educators develop culturally responsive teaching methods and create supportive classrooms.

Community engagement is a significant emphasis here with active parent and community involvement in school events and decision-making processes. Partnerships with local organizations provide additional resources and support to enhance the educational experience. Student-led initiatives, such as diverse clubs and peer mentoring, further encourage a supportive and inclusive community.

The school facilities are adapted for accessibility, ensuring that all students, including those with disabilities, can navigate the school comfortably. Teachers employ inclusive teaching strategies, such as differentiated instruction and collaborative learning, to cater to different learning styles and abilities. Through these comprehensive efforts, Brighton School creates a nurturing and inclusive environment for all students.

Professional Development Initiatives

Inclusivity at the school is ensured through comprehensive professional development programs. School-wide sessions, individual training and area team workshops are regularly conducted to maintain a high standard of inclusive education.

“Additionally, our Shared Services Education Department offers specialized opportunities, equipping staff with essential skills in diversity, equity and inclusion.” This multi-faceted approach empowers educators to create supportive, culturally responsive learning environments. By doing so, Brighton School enhances the overall educational experience for all students, ensuring that every learner feels valued and supported.

Technology Driven Learning

At Brighton School, the integration of technology into teaching is achieved through innovative methods. Utilizing interactive tools like smart boards and tablets, the school blends traditional classroom approaches with online resources to enhance the learning experience. A notable aspect of this technological integration is the “1 to 1 student iPad program,” which ensures all K+ students are equipped with the technology they need to enhance their learning experiences.

Learning Management Systems, such as Google Classroom and Schoology, are used to streamline assignment management and facilitate collaboration among students and teachers. The school’s STEM programs are robust, incorporating elements like coding, robotics and digital projects. Additionally, assistive technology is employed to ensure accessibility for students with special needs, making the learning environment inclusive for all.

To support this integration of technology, Brighton School provides continuous professional development for teachers, focusing on the latest educational technologies and best practices. This commitment to ongoing training helps create a dynamic and modern learning environment that effectively prepares students for the future.

Engaging Parents and Community in Student Success

At Brighton School, creating an inclusive environment involves a collaborative effort across various domains: curriculum development, support services, policy implementation, professional development, and community engagement. The school values parents as essential partners in their children’s educational journey, ensuring their voices contribute to the school’s inclusive culture. The key initiatives are:

• Parent Involvement: Parents play a crucial role in shaping educational strategies that cater to diverse student needs, providing direct input that helps tailor support services and academic approaches. Together with parents, Brighton School develops and enforces “anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policies,” fostering a safe and respectful environment where every student can thrive.
• Staff Training: Continuous training in diversity, equity and inclusion enhances culturally responsive teaching practices, promoting an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding among the staff.
• Community Engagement: The school encourages robust participation from parents and community members in school events and decision-making processes, reinforcing a sense of community and shared responsibility for student success.
• Student Initiatives: Student-led initiatives, such as diversity clubs and peer mentoring programs, enrich the school’s supportive environment by nurturing collaboration and empathy among students of diverse backgrounds.
• Facility Accessibility: Accessibility improvements are made in consultation with students and parents, ensuring facilities are inclusive for all.
• Adapted Instruction: Teachers use differentiated approaches to accommodate various learning styles and abilities, guided by ongoing feedback from the school community.

A Well-Rounded Education

Brighton School enhances its academic curriculum with a rich variety of extracurricular activities, ensuring a well-rounded education for all students. These activities span a broad spectrum, catering to diverse interests and age groups. Younger students in grades 2-4 participate in sports programs like basketball, soccer and cheerleading, focusing on fundamental athletic skills, teamwork and physical fitness.

For older students in grades 5-8, Brighton offers competitive sports such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and track & field, emphasizing skill development, sportsmanship and fostering a competitive spirit.

Additionally, the school provides extensive after-school enrichment opportunities including art, gardening, dance, creative writing, band, debate, drama, robotics, and coding. These programs allow students to explore their interests, develop new skills and express their creativity beyond the classroom environment.

Forward Thinking

Brighton School has several future plans and initiatives aimed at continuing to improve the quality of education and inclusivity:

Curriculum and Technology Enhancements

• Diversify curriculum with more global perspectives and culturally relevant content including literature, history and social studies materials.
• Enhance use of educational technology by increasing advanced digital tools, expanding STEM programs and integrating virtual and augmented reality experiences.

Professional Development and Support Services

• Invest in professional development focused on inclusivity and equity.
• Provide regular training sessions on cultural competency, anti-bias education and inclusive teaching practices.
• Expand support services for students requiring additional academic or emotional support by hiring more specialized staff and offering individualized support plans.

Community Engagement and After-school Programs

• Strengthen community and parental engagement through regular collaboration meetings, parent workshops and community events.
• Expand after-school programs to offer a wider range of activities, including new clubs and sports teams catering to diverse interests and talents.

Brighton School is also committed to “environmental sustainability,” with plans to enhance recycling efforts, reduce energy consumption and integrate sustainability education into the curriculum. Upgrades to playground facilities will ensure accessibility and incorporate state-of-the-art resources.

The school aims to cultivate student leadership through workshops, student councils and peer mentoring programs, empowering students to actively promote inclusivity and community building within the school.