“WE MUST REMEMBER THAT INTELLIGENCE IS NOT ENOUGH. INTELLIGENCE PLUS CHARACTER — THIS IS THE GOAL OF TRUE EDUCATION.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Two stellar Columbia City elementary schools have set a higher standard for education in Seattle. Although one is private and the other public, both share one common goal: valuing the individual emotional and educational needs of children.

ORCA ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL

With a diverse student body mirroring the demographics of southeast Seattle, the first tenet of Orca Elementary School is “We all belong.” The school fosters a multicultural curriculum designed to generate respect for oneself and others and empowers students to address issues such as race, civil rights, and the environment.

Orca’s classrooms encompass mixed ages, and offer a variety of instructional practices, respecting each child’s individual learning style. A strong arts program and innovative physical education curriculum reflect the school’s commitment to the whole child. In addition, the school features an award-winning garden which teaches environmental stewardship to students and hosts such seasonal events as a harvest festival and Mother’s Day plant sale.

One of Orca’s key strengths is its emphasis on family involvement, and the school enjoys a strong PTA and community volunteer base. Currently, there are 250 students enrolled in the school and admission is based on a lottery system.

ZION PREPARATORY ACADEMY

Zion Preparatory Academy was founded in 1982 with only $13, six students and one teacher. Today, enrollment at the Afro-centric, Christian-based private school tops 350. Zion Preparatory is one of the few private schools that does not require testing for admission and has a low annual tuition fee of $3,500 for the elementary school and $4,000 for pre-school.

Zion Preparatory’s student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1 allows teachers to work one-on-one with each child, helping them reach their full potential both academically and personally. In addition to its academic program, the school offers students a variety of life-enhancing programs such as art and dance, gospel choir, chess club, intramural sports and homework club. Many of the students go on to secondary private schools in the area, owing to the strong foundation they have received at Zion Preparatory.

Although the school offers a Christian belief-based environment, students need not be Christian to attend.