Who We Are

Elementary School

Elementary Building (1905)

TOPS (The Option Program at Seward) is a dynamic and diverse K-8 alternative school in the Seattle Public School District, and has been one of the most successful programs in Seattle for the past 18 years. Our curriculum focuses on the integration and transfer of learning from grades K-8. We emphasize mastery in writing and math, as well as in reading, language arts, science, social studies, art and physical education. Instructional strategies encourage concept development, visual thinking, problem solving, communication, higher-level thinking and cultural diversity. Responsibility, respect and cooperation form the basis of classroom discipline.

Other Services

The TOPS Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program is a self-contained primary program for students with moderate to severe hearing loss. An exciting addition to TOPS in 2003 is the new Special Education Program, a self-contained program that serves a population of developmentally delayed students in both the elementary and middle school grades. The program emphasizes academic and social skills in a larger community setting. We also provide the following support: basic skills, special education resource room, counselors, a parent involvement coordinator, extended-day kindergarten and before/after-school care. Other special features include: City School, which explores the richness and diversity of the city; TOPICS, which are multiage gatherings of students in grades 1-4 to learn about topics of special interest; and an emphasis on public speaking.

Community Involvement

Known for strong parent and community involvement, TOPS is a vibrant and highly effective school community offering rigorous curricula balanced with a nurturing school climate. TOPS provides students with a variety of learning experiences to meet their individual needs, including cross-age student learning, multi-age choice learning time, as well as before- and after-school programs. TOPS has a proven track record of academic and social success.

The strong commitment of the staff and parents makes TOPS so successful for its students. TOPS strongly encourages all families to contribute of their time and energy to the TOPS community. As a guideline, we suggest single-parent families contribute 15 hours per school year, and two-parent families contribute 30 hours.

Parents, teachers and staff work closely together on all aspects of the TOPS program. In addition to providing classroom assistance for teachers and tutoring for students, parents help with curriculum support, communications, community relations, financial support and fundraising. A very active parent group and site council, in conjunction with the school staff and community, have developed a team commitment to school restructuring.

Middle School

Middle School Building (1917)

Facility

TOPS is housed in the historic Seward School in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood. The facility consists of three buildings—the original 1893 building housing the cafeteria and some elementary classrooms; the wood-frame elementary building, opened in 1905; and the brick middle school building, added in 1917. Originially named the Denny-Fuhrman school in 1893, the building was renamed in 1905 after William H. Seward, the Secretary of State under Andrew Johnson, best known for purchasing Alaska from Russia in 1867. In 1997-1998, the school underwent a major $20 million renovation, adding a new gym with a performance stage; a Learning Resource Center housing the library, conference area, offices, and computer labs; and state-of-the-art wiring throughout the school. The building is now a designated Seattle landmark. A more detailed history of the school can be found at HistoryLink.org.

Atmosphere

TOPS is a vibrant and highly effective school community which encourages all students to develop and achieve to their greatest potential. Respect, experiences and appreciation of the multiethnic diversity of our urban environment are fundamental to TOPS. Students, staff and parents have joined together in creating an academic setting defined by mutual respect, diversity and achievement -- a place where dreams and learning come together.

Summary of TOPS Programs and Offerings

Additional Information about TOPS

What Makes TOPS A Special School?

This is a question that many parents ask when they first learn about TOPS. It's not as easy to answer in the case of TOPS as it might be at a school that defines itself in simple terms such as academic powerhouse, or free school, or that has a particular focus such as multi-grade classrooms, technology, or art; or that emphasizes a particular ethnic heritage.

What we're trying to do at TOPS is more complex and more integrated than any simple catch phrase could convey. One of the cornerstones of our program is providing a very high level of intellectual challenge and academic achievement. But there's much more to the TOPS identity than that. Our mission statement identifies a number of the things that differentiate us from mainstream schools. Some of the most important points in that mission statement include our significant focus on:

Many other Seattle schools embrace some of these philosophies, but the TOPS vision is to bring them all together. We differ from others in that we really invest in a commitment to these ideals and recognize what we are not. We are not interested in rote instruction that excludes experience. Our teachers do not exclude parents and community to focus on a 'closed door' learning environment. We embrace new ideas and new approaches, and we challenge each other to clarify our visions on tough issues like race, sexual identity, and conflict resolution. We support fabulous teachers who might not fit into the molds found in other schools.

As a K-8 school, TOPS enjoys many privileges. The first is that only children whose families specifically ask to enroll them here are admitted--we have no accidental students. We enjoy a broader assignment area than most schools. We have grades K-8 because we want them. Our teachers have varied school training. TOPS parents and teachers work constantly to earn our school identity.