Partnering Schools

Partnership Highlight: Bailey Gatzert Elementary

In 2014, Seattle Children’s Theatre began a partnership with Bailey Gatzert Elementary, bringing interdisciplinary residencies to every classroom during the school year. Since then, SCT has worked with over 1,000 students in the Gatzert community.

We receive an overwhelming positive response from teachers in the school about the impact left in their classes:

“Students were challenged in their creative thinking. The lessons and activities required students to activate their brains in challenging ways that they were not used to. Rachel did a great job of supporting that thinking and honoring student responses. It was a great way for students to stretch their thinking and come out of their shells.” – 2nd grade Educator

“There are several valuable aspects to this program.  First, the students get to experience learning with someone other than their classroom teacher.  They also practice sharp listening and reasoning skills.  Andrew also led them to strengthen some of their social/emotional skills, as they needed to show compassion to each other and Andrew in order for each child to feel safe participating and performing.  Finally, theater provides an area of study for students to shine and feel successful; this is especially valuable for students who may struggle in other academic areas across the day.”– 2nd grade Educator

“I have only positive things to say about [this program].  My students have loved it and look forward to it every week. Students who are normally reserved or hesitant to participate in group activities were animated and joyful.”- Kindergarten Educator

In the 2018-2019 school year was the addition of 3 Sensory Drama residencies for students who have sensory seeking behaviors and needs. This program was first piloted in the 17-18 school year, before bringing it to every special education classroom in the school. Through the 18-19 residency, SCT has created a robust curriculum intendent for longer instructional periods that we can now offer to schools across the Seattle area. An educator from the Gatzert Special Education team shared:

“My students were engaged during every lesson. I have two non-verbal students who are difficult to engage. One student, who shows very little interest in others and rarely participates in group activities, took more and more interest as the weeks went by. She engaged with the sensory activities and she stayed at the circle (with adult support) throughout the lessons.” - FOCUS Educator

This partnership is generously supported by the Moccasin Lake Foundation and will continue to serve Bailey Gatzert Elementary through to the 2023-2024 school year.

Additional School Partnerships

Martin Luther King Elementary

John Muir Elementary

Hawthorne Elementary

Kimball Elementary

Beacon Hill Elementary

Seattle Country Day School

Issaquah Montessori School

John Hay Elementary

Lowell Elementary – Seattle

Roosevelt High School

Smith Elementary School – Sammamish

Olympic Hills Elementary

B.F. Day Elementary

Boren Elementary

Dearborn Park Elementary School

Westside School

Van Asselt Elementary

Daniel Bagley Elementary

Early World Children’s School

Illumination Learning Studio

French American School

The Evergreen School

North Beach Elementary

Brighton School

Thornton Creek School

The Island School

Evergreen Elementary

Parkside Elementary

Meeker Middle School

Lakeland Elementary

St. Benedict Catholic School

South Shore Elementary School

Maywood Hills Elementary – Bothell

Cascade Middle School – Sedro Wooley

Normandy Park Preschool – Normandy Park

Don’t see your community or school on this list? Contact educationoutreach@sct.org to learn about partnering in your area.

Click here to know more about what types of programming you can bring into your classroom.