cath·o·lic
\’kath-lik\ adjective.
1. including a wide variety
of things; all embracing.
2. universal; involving all.
We are Inclusive. We are Compassionate.
All are welcome here. Half our families are Catholic; all share a belief in the value
of human kindness. We honor our founder, Saint Frances Cabrini, and our Catholic
heritage through our love of learning, commitment to service, and mission to educate
the whole child. In fact, service-learning is at the core of what we do. Through critical
thinking, reflection, and action our students grow in compassion and gain a deeper
sense of personal responsibility to their community and to the wider world.
Preschool
Lower School
•W
e believe in play with a purpose. Each child’s natural desire
to explore is enthusiastically encouraged and drives the
learning process.
• S mall classes allow our teachers to continually assess the needs
of each student and create dynamic and engaging lessons that
foster a love of learning and build a strong foundation in reading,
writing, and math skills.
• A s they prepare for Villa kindergarten, preschool students build
the academic and social/emotional skills necessary to thrive in our
challenging program.
• We challenge our students to think freely and across disciplines; they examine
complex, real-world issues, and work collaboratively toward solutions.
We are “Real-Life” Learners.
One student describes it as “the coolest project I have ever done!” Another
says, “It is an engaging and exciting learning experience.” Villa’s Mock Trial
process is a hands-on approach to constitutional law and the legal system.
Eighth grade history students spend months working with teachers and outside
experts, such as law enforcement, forensic specialists, and attorneys, learning
the components of a legal case. The trial delves deeply into American history
as students investigate Andrew Jackson’s role in the Cherokee Removal Act
and the Trail of Tears. Classes work together to prosecute and defend Jackson,
building cases from primary source material. They think critically every step of
the way as they analyze both sides of the issue, write witness testimony, and
develop complex legal strategy. Students then enact the trial as prosecutors,
defenders, and witnesses in front of a federal judge and volunteer jury at the
Federal Courthouse in downtown Seattle.
The fourth grade model home project incorporates math, science,
writing, and technology as students work in small groups to design
and build models houses with working light fixtures and switches.
Multiple meetings with a local architect informed and inspired
the students. Through trial, error and experimentation, students
became experts on electrical circuits and could build and create light
fixtures from a variety of materials (including various conductors and
insulators). The houses were built according to code and studentarchitects aimed to make as much profit as possible after given a
budget of $100,000. Upon completion, students wrote real estate
ads to advertise their new homes.
Coins for a Cause, one of our preschool service-learning projects,
takes plac e each winter as students work with the Wuqu’ Kawoq
Maya Health Alliance to support a Guatemalan child in need of
medical care. In addition to collecting coins to donate to the Health
Alliance, students learn about Guatemalan culture and geography,
including a short lesson in Kaqchikel, one of the Mayan languages,
an introduction to quetzal birds and howler monkeys, as well as a
glimpse into Guatemalan village life. The project is a very personal
one. Students view regular video updates from the doctors that
provide medical care to the child they are supporting.
400
• A research-based social emotional curriculum designed by Villa faculty leads
our students and parents through the challenges of the early teen years.
We are Architects.
We are Changing the World.
trees on campus:
• Our Faculty guide students towards increasingly independent and
self-directed learning.
• V isual arts, music, books, world languages, technology, sports
and fitness come alive as specialist teachers work in concert with
homeroom teachers.
•M
ore than a repeat year of preschool, Villa’s “More Time for Five”
program offers children continued preparation for kindergarten.
acres to explore:
• Our rigorous academics prepare students for placement in the finest
college-prep high schools.
• A s students progress through the Lower School, they are
challenged to build their knowledge of the world around them,
developing critical thinking skills with a cross-disciplinary approach
that enriches learning.
• R egular visits to the library, gymnasium, and theater for school-wide
events, as well as time spent with their upper school “buddy” gives
preschoolers the advantage of being part of a larger community.
number of students:
Middle School
minutes preschoolers spend
outside each school year:
total ms service hours:
31.2 1,522 10,680 6,430
hours 8th grade students
spend on culminating project:
215
% of faculty/staff with
advanced degrees:
50%
artwork pieces fired in the
kiln each year:
562
average number of forts
in the orchard:
10