Thank you for your interest in Epiphany School! Founded in 1958, we are an independent, non-parochial, NWAIS-accredited elementary school in Seattle serving students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Our vibrant and inclusive learning community is filled with talented faculty, engaged students, and involved parents. We work together to inspire and equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to grow into confident and courageous learners and leaders.
In these pages you will discover our engaging program, with learning and joy at the center of all we do. In this viewbook we highlight the full range of our academic, social-emotional, and extra-curricular offerings. As you explore, we hope you’ll see the many ways we bring our school’s mission to life as we “challenge and support all students to become confident, curious, and courageous learners through innovative teaching in a caring and inclusive environment.”
We are thrilled that you are considering becoming a part of the Epiphany School community. We look forward to meeting you soon!
Jenn Elkin Head of School
Greg Jones Director of Enrollment Management and Admission
“An Epiphany School education is personal, relational, heartfelt, and authentic. Here, children play an active role in their own education.”
—Jenn Elkin, Head of School
Why Epiphany School?
By
the Numbers
265 students enrolled in pre-k through fifth grade
2-3 classes per grade
6:1 student/faculty ratio
28 zip codes represented in our current student body
38% of our students identify as students of color
3,057 professional development hours invested by faculty and staff to stay at the leading edge of educational best practice
$16 million endowment underpins the school’s financial sustainability
$27,986 average amount of financial aid awarded
100% family participation in annual fundraising
17,850 hot lunches delivered to students
9 planting beds in our school garden
6 weeks of Epiphany School Summer Camp
2,600+ hours volunteered by our involved, dedicated families
67-year legacy of exceptional elementary education
Epiphany School is a vibrant community known for excellent academics, strong social-emotional learning, and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere in which every child is truly known. Our talented faculty weave the school’s core values of respect, responsibility, and resourcefulness into each grade’s learning experience, helping every student grow in character, independence, confidence, and leadership over time.
Epiphany School believes that close collaboration and partnership with students and their families is paramount to creating a learning environment in which children stretch, grow, and thrive. Our engaged parent body participates in school life in myriad ways, from volunteering in the classroom to leading demonstrations in our science lab to helping produce dozens of beloved events.
Whether attending our epic annual Carnival (open to all!) or exploring our campus on an admissions tour co-led by our poised and confident fifth graders, you will immediately sense the warmth and authenticity of the community we’ve built together.
We look forward to welcoming you to our school!
“We loved our time at Epiphany School. The school sparked in our daughter the love of learning and exploring—and the willingness to stretch. Epiphany encouraged public expression, presentation, and performance in a way that was nurturing and inclusive. She and her classmates grew in so many ways.”
—Rob Lilleness, Parent of Alumna
“When we relocated to Seattle, the most important decision we had to make was to find the best possible school for our pre-k son. Our first choice was Epiphany School. Why? Impeccable reputation, wonderful facilities, accessible administration, passionate teachers, and the list goes on. But what convinced me was, when I asked the staff and teachers ‘will you love my child?,’ everyone answered yes without hesitation.”
— Mark Fortino, parent
Epiphany School Campus
Student Gardens
Pre-K Playground
Boulders Play Space
Augustine Hall
Kindergarten Classrooms
Tech Office
Reed Hall 5th Grade Classrooms
Commons Play Space
Madrona Hall
Pre-K, 1st, 3rd, & 4th Grade Classrooms
Library
Outdoor Education
STEM Classroom
School Counselor
Advancement Offices
Fenced-In Play Area Game Courts
Gymnasium
Health & Fitness Art Studio
Sander-Alvord
Spock Hall
2nd Grade Classrooms
Learning Specialists
Math Specialists
Front Office
Head of School
Business Offices
Academic Administration
Chips Playground
Garden Rooms
Language Program
Music, Drama, and Movement
East Howell St
East Denny Way
Our Program
From pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Epiphany School students are nurtured and supported as they develop their own voice, build meaningful friendships, and learn how to take responsibility for their own education.
Innovative and immersive lessons with classroom teachers focus on the core foundational subjects of Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Humanities, and Social-Emotional Learning. Our specialist teachers add richness and depth to the curriculum with focused classes on the following subjects for all students starting in pre-kindergarten:
• Art
• French
• Health & Fitness
• Latin (third through fifth grade)
• Library
• Music, Drama, and Movement
• Outdoor Education
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
Collaboration and Communication
Through intentional ongoing communication and collaboration, our teachers and specialists truly know every one of our students. This deep understanding allows us to support and challenge each child precisely where needed across every subject area.
Whether navigating the complexities of friendships or exploring creative ways to approach a math problem, our students find the confidence and courage to try new things, take intellectual risks, and speak up, knowing they have the full support of a caring community of peers and adults.
Teaching the Whole Child
Epiphany School’s curriculum is rich in content and subject integration to promote reasoning, knowledge, and skill development. For an overview of all subjects at Epiphany School from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade, see our interactive curriculum guide at epiphanyschool.org/curriculum or use the QR code.
Social-Emotional Learning and Student Support
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Attending to the social-emotional needs of students is a hallmark of Epiphany School. Our teachers and staff connect social-emotional and academic learning throughout the day to create an educational environment where students feel a sense of safety, belonging, and significance. Supported by a school-wide Responsive Classroom approach, our social-emotional program focuses on addressing five core competencies across every grade: cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, empathy, and self-control.
Counseling
Our dedicated School Counselor collaborates with teachers to provide weekly SEL lessons to each classroom. In addition to classroom work, the School Counselor may work with students in small groups or one-on-one to help further develop students’ social and emotional skill set. Our School Counselor is also available to provide referrals to outside mental and behavioral health professionals as well as various community resources.
Service Learning
Students at Epiphany School actively contribute to the well-being of people and the planet on both a local and global scale. Year-round community service projects include student-led donation drives, awareness campaigns, and hands-on service projects and fieldwork completed in partnership with nonprofits throughout Seattle.
Learning Skills
Some students benefit from the individualized support offered in our Learning Skills program. Learning Skills specialists work to leverage a student’s strengths and bolster emerging skills through small-group and one-on-one instruction. Learning Skills specialists create Student Success Plans and work in concert with the student’s teachers to integrate and create strategies for an optimal learning environment. The goal for all students is to develop a toolkit of learning strategies and an understanding of how they learn best so that they may become confident self-advocates in all academic settings.
“Our classroom and specialist teachers ensure Epiphany School students build a foundation for lifelong learning that is richly textured and clearly transferable to the paths they take in life.”
—Jenn Elkin, Head of School
Extended Day Program
Extended Day is designed to meet the needs of busy families—and students who just want to spend more time with their friends at Epiphany School! Run by a full-time Extended Day Manager, the diverse programming is designed to reinforce the academic and social-emotional learning that happens across campus during the school day.
Before- and After-School
Extended Day
Through a balance of structured activities and unstructured playtime, Epiphany School students interact with their peers and other students across grade levels before and after school. In the afternoon, children have the freedom to move around and explore both indoor and outdoor settings. Offerings include access to the library, an activity or craft project of the day, study/homework time, and supervised playtime on our turf-covered Commons, game courts, and Chips playground. Two healthy snacks are offered each afternoon.
Before-School: 7:00-8:15 am
After-School: 3:10-6:00 pm
After-School Clubs
After-school student clubs meet during Extended Day and offerings are updated throughout the year based on demand and interests.
Past after-school clubs have included:
• Ceramics
• Chess
• Coding
• Cross Country
• Digital Music Production
• Gymnastics
• Improv/Acting
• Kickball
• Languages
• LEGO Engineering
• Parkour
• Robotics
• Sewing
• Yoga
School Break, One-Day and Summer Camps
Extended Day offers engaging week-long camps during most school breaks as well as full-day programs during in-service and conference days. We also offer six weeks of summer camp, open to both Epiphany and non-Epiphany students in pre-k through fifth grade (see next page).
Summer Camp
School may be closed over the summer, but the fun and learning continues on campus with Epiphany School Summer Camp, open to all students in pre-k through fifth grade. Our summer camps operate under the same guiding principles as our school-year program. As always, we create a nurturing environment that seeks to inspire and challenge children to be curious, courageous, and confident. Our talented staff cultivates an inclusive community that encourages empathy and respect toward all.
Each week-long session includes ample outdoor playtime, quiet reading and art time, and hands-on activities led by faculty, staff, and outside experts. Recent camp themes have included soccer, cooking, gardening, parkour, outdoor arts and crafts, theater, basketball, pop art, and early engineering.
Summer camp registration is open to Epiphany School and non-Epiphany School students alike. Join our community for the summer!
epiphanyschool.org/summercamp
How to Apply
Epiphany School’s online application process opens each September, but you can submit an inquiry at any time at epiphanyschool.org/inquire. Submitting an inquiry is the first step in connecting with our Director of Enrollment Management & Admission and, if you are interested, beginning an application. Once you inquire you will receive log-in information to access your personal Epiphany School Application Progress page. Here you can submit your application materials and register for a Small-Group Tour and Q&A, Open House, parent interviews, and a student visit. All materials must be submitted by the application deadline of January 16, 2025.
Age Requirements
Pre-Kindergarten: Applicants must be 4 years old by September 1.
Kindergarten: Applicants must be 5 years old by September 1.
Sibling Preference
Siblings of students currently enrolled at Epiphany School are given preference for admission consideration. Sibling applicants must adhere to the school’s age requirements as well as demonstrate academic and emotional readiness for admission.
Admission Information
Epiphany School’s Admission Committee determines which students are best qualified for admission, based on academic and social assessments through the school visit, review of the application materials, and parent interviews.
Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten are our primary entry points. First through fifth grade applications are also welcomed and encouraged.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For the 2024-25 academic year, tuition at Epiphany School is $36,085.
Epiphany School strives to be accessible to all, and we are committed to making financial aid available to families who qualify. For the 2024-25 school year, the average financial aid award is $27,986.
We have a need-blind admission process, which means that admission decisions are made independent of the financial aid award process. Only students accepted for admission are considered for financial aid awards.
For FAQs and to apply, please visit epiphanyschool.org/admission
Application Checklist
Like many independent schools in the Puget Sound region, Epiphany School uses a common application through Puget Sound Independent Schools (PSIS). To begin the process, first fill out the inquiry form at epiphanyschool.org/inquire. Then log in to your Epiphany School Admissions Progress page to submit application materials and register for a tour, open house, interview, and student visit. Please note that you can schedule your school experiences and submit forms at any point, including prior to completing the official application.
INQUIRE AND APPLY
Complete Household Profile through the online Inquiry form at epiphanyschool.org/inquire
Log in to your Epiphany School Admissions Progress page using the login information emailed to you
Fill out the Application and submit fee (you can request a fee waiver by contacting admissions@epiphanyschool.org)
FAMILY FORMS
(completed online via Epiphany School Admissions Progress page)
Parent/Guardian Statement (Puget Sound Independent School/PSIS Common Form)
Family and student photo
TEACHER EVALUATION FORMS
(completed online via Epiphany School Admissions Progress page)
Kindergarten through fifth grade applicants (two teacher evaluations required)
Evaluation #1 (current teacher)
Evaluation #2 (previous teacher)
SCHOOL RECORDS
First through fifth grade applicants only
Send records from your current school to registrar@epiphanyschool.org or upload an official copy to your Epiphany School Admissions Progress page
SCHOOL EXPERIENCES
(scheduled online via Epiphany School Admissions Progress page)
Parent/Guardian Small-Group Tour and Q&A
Student Visit/Assessment
Register to attend Open House (optional)
PARENT/GUARDIAN INTERVIEW
A 30-minute session with the Director of Enrollment Management & Admission (an opportunity for you to ask questions and for the school to learn more about your child and family)
