Frequently Asked Questions

What does your academic program include?
We offer a comprehensive program that includes reading, writing, math, geography, economics, history, Spanish, physical education and an award-winning science program. Music, art, movement, drama and technology skills are taught as tools for learning and communicating ideas.

What is your teacher/student ratio?
Our average teacher/student ratio is 1/12. Small classes allow the teacher to spend personal time with each student every day and to plan lessons with their individual needs and interests in mind.

Are your teachers certified?
Yes, all the K-8 teachers have a Baccalaureate degree and Washington State certification; several also have Master’s degrees. The teachers of the younger children have appropriate early childhood education. Some members of our team are published authors and leaders in their fields.

What ages or grades do you serve?
We serve children three years old through middle school age. Young children may start before they turn three but they must be able to use the bathroom independently and be ready to participate in a group setting. Our classes are non-graded and multi-age, which offers opportunities for children to learn at their own pace and to develop mature social skills.

What are your hours?
Class for 3 – 7 year olds begin at 8:30 A.M. and classes for the older students begin at 8:15 A.M. Dismissal for all students is at 3:00 P.M. We also offer before and after school childcare from 7:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Part-time schedules are available for 3 – 5 year olds.

Are you connected with a religion or a particular philosophy such as Montessori or Waldorf?
No. We are an innovative school with a philosophy based on the idea that each child is a unique learner with innate strengths and that inquiry is the heart of education.

Are you accredited?
Yes. We have NAEYC accreditation for the early childhood program and K-12 accreditation with the Northwest Accreditation Council (NWAC), which allows us to grant high school credits to advanced middle school students. We are also pursuing accreditation with the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS).

Where do your graduates go to high school and how do they do?
Most of our graduates go on to attend a public high school in the area where they live; a small number have attended private high schools in British Columbia, Seattle and Bellingham. 80% of our students finish middle school with high school credits in math and/or English which means they can move into higher level classes more quickly. 87% of our alumni pursue advanced placement and honors classes and take college credits while in high school. They are known in the local high schools as strong and independent learners who contribute to their communities.

Are you a College Prep school?
Yes, the education we provide gives students a strong foundation for success in college and beyond. Over 95% of our alumni go on to colleges such as Columbia, Whitman, Reed, Stanford, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Washington, University of British Columbia, Western Washington University, and Arizona State University. Again and again, our alumni, and their families, tell us that it was their WDA education that prepared them for college.

Do you serve gifted children?
Yes. Our multi-age classes, challenging academics, inquiry based learning and flexible placements serve gifted children very well. Children who are ready to move on in the curriculum are not held back by arbitrary limits such as age or grade level.

Do you serve children with special needs?
We consider accepting children with learning obstacles on an individual basis. Students who have been successful in our program include children with mild to moderate reading/writing issues and high functioning autistic children. We cannot serve children with emotional or behavioral problems that interfere with their ability to function in a group or with the learning of others.

What about cultural competence and global awareness?
Most of our students become proficient in Spanish and we frequently have interns from Japan, Korea, or China to share their languages and cultures. We draw on resources among our families to share various traditions and celebrations. Our students are involved in community service and environmental awareness activities.

What about personal development?
We pay attention to the development of the whole child. We use a curriculum that teaches empathy, anger management, social skills, decision-making and negotiation. We foster a caring community based on mutual respect and understanding. We use a discipline model focused on teaching and reinforcing positive behaviors and character traits.

How much does it cost and do you offer financial aid?
All students at Whatcom Day Academy receive some financial aid which we support through fundraising efforts. The cost of a child’s education at WDA is over $10,000 but the tuition is about $2,000 less. We offer additional financial aid to families who value a quality education but cannot afford the full tuition. We also accept children who receive a subsidy from DSHS.

Do you offer after school care or a summer program?
We serve the needs of working families by offering high quality child care before and after school, during the spring break, on professional development days and for 9 weeks of the summer break. We are open from 7:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M.

Do your students enjoy school?
Come and visit: You’ll see for yourself how engaged the students are, and you’ll hear spontaneous laughter and singing. You’ll also see how confident they are when sharing their thoughts and ideas. One new ten-year-old student said, after his first few months, “I like this school because you treat us like sparkling individuals.”

How do I arrange a tour?
We have several Open Houses scheduled throughout the year. You can also call at any time to arrange an individual tour.