Welcome from the Head of School
UCDS has a rich history of educational research and innovation. Founded in 1911 at the University of Washington, UCDS originally served faculty members' children as a preschool and lab school. In 1976 the Child Development Research Group at the University received one of six national grants funded by the U.S. Office of Gifted and Talented Education to conduct a comprehensive examination of giftedness in young children. Interested parents and educators formed a private, nonprofit organization in 1981 to enable this unique school for academically capable children to continue.
Since then our teachers have continued to conduct educational research in their classrooms. UCDS teachers develop curricula and a variety of teaching strategies that allow children to develop and demonstrate understanding. In each subject area teachers create programs that require children to master multiple methods for solving a problem. Using this approach, our teachers gain a deep appreciation for the unique talent, ability and learning style of each individual student. Our goal is not the creation of a single perfect curriculum or spectacular lesson, but rather, to offer a provocation, observe individual children carefully and to create instructional strategies based on what we see.
We believe that effective schools are founded on a deep respect for students and that children thrive when they are challenged. At UCDS, we encourage children to take risks and to tackle difficult projects. Teachers use complex concepts and interesting problems to teach the basic skills and content of each academic area. In our classrooms the teacher acts as a coach for students and models thinking, planning, risk-taking, and reflection. UCDS is committed to providing an innovative learning environment centered around partnerships with our faculty, students, parents, trustees and greater community.
Our teachers express confidence in children, sharing a conviction that all children are naturally curious and want to learn. We organize our classrooms, curricula, and programs with the expectation that children learn differently. We believe that each child has unique talents, ways of thinking and levels of understanding. Our teachers look for every opportunity to work with individual students, to coach and assess a child's level of thinking. Our teachers share insights with one another. At UCDS, there is a constant flow of conversation about children between faculty and between faculty and administration.
Teaching at UCDS demands the highest level of professional commitment. It is an expectation at UCDS that teachers set high expectations for every student, inspire students to go beyond self-imposed limits, ask probing questions, and support students with specific and constructive feedback. Every teacher, administrator and staff member at UCDS is an important role model and takes responsibility for the character development of our students. Our teachers maintain a constructive dialogue with parents and are careful to protect sensitive information.
Paula Smith
Head of School
