Students

What makes Madrona students stand out from the rest?

Leadership:  High school teachers and principals consistently bring up Madrona kids’ maturity and leadership when discussing our children.  Kids seem to naturally rise to leadership positions on both a small group and school-wide basis.  This stems from two major aspects of Madrona life:  first, the small middle school student body provides an opportunity for each kid to shine in a school setting; second, the multiage, self-directed nature of all academic work at the school.  From their first year at Madrona, kids are encouraged to choose their own paths and pursue their own interests.  This prepares them for the challenges of independent-study and group projects.  Because they experience the freedom and responsibility that this carries, they also know how to manage projects among their less experienced peers.

Civility:  Being in a multiage setting in a K-8 school forces kids to get along not only with their peers but also with children much older and much younger than themselves.  The multiage, nongraded environment has children learning from the same teachers, in the same classroom, for up to 3 years.  This allows kids and teachers to really get to know, appreciate and trust each other.  With that familiarity and trust comes improved behavior.

Curiosity:  Self-directed work encourages children to follow their passions.  They are allowed to nurture their innate curiosity, instead of subdue it.  Madrona’s kids are willing to explore new concepts and ideas, wherever they meet them.

Self-confidence:  The support provided by the multiage classroom setting lets kids know that someone already knows and can appreciate their abilities.   The feeling of being loved and encouraged to find their personal strengths allows kids to become confident about themselves, while working on the areas where they are not as strong.

Community Service:  Madrona’s students have been involved in many community service projects over the years.  From their earliest years children are encouraged to think of someone other than themselves, and they shine at it.  Some of our ongoing programs:

  • African American Exchange Club:  kids have raised enough money over the past 8 years to build a school and a number of houses in a village in Burundi.  They learn about the culture in the village, and become more appreciative of the advantages we have in America.  Most members of this club are 7th and 8th graders.
  • Reading buddies:  Intermediate and Middle School students spend time every week with K – 3rd graders who need reading help.
  • Giving Tree:  Madrona School adopts between 10 and 20 families each year to ensure they have a happy and healthy holiday season.  Student leaders in this project are 4th – 6th graders.
  • Food to Flowers:  Madrona was named the first Washington Green School in the Edmonds School District, for its recycling, composting, and terracycling program.  The challenge has been to have successful trash-free lunch periods, and recycle and compost all appropriate materials.  Madrona is also a terracycling brigade for certain waste products that can be made into other goods.  The most committed students in this program are in the 2nd and 3rd grades.
  • Canned food drive:  Madrona celebrates the beginning of cold weather by collecting non-perishable food for donation to local food banks.  Leaders in this project are 4th – 6th graders.
  • Homelessness project:  children in primary centers have been collecting blankets and warm clothing for homeless families in Snohomish County.
  • Heifer International:  kids and their families partner to earn money to donate to this international agency which provides farm animals to communities.
  • Jump Rope for Heart and the American Diabetes Association’s Walk-a-thon provide an opportunity to raise money for these important causes.

Most Centers and Advisories at Madrona maintain their own websites.  Click your Center or Advisory’s name to see homework assignments, resources, etc.

Kindergarten
1st – 3rd
4th – 6th
Madrona Arts
Middle School
Skyward
Directory of District classroom pages