A Parent Testimonial
It wasn’t until their daughter was unable to participate in her school’s holiday program that one family realized they might need to make a change.
E is a happy, bright child who seemed to be doing well at her previous school until about third grade. That year, she had a larger class, new teacher, and many students that needed extra behavioral support. Her anxiety manifested as stomachaches, trips to the nurse’s office, and the need for noise cancelling headphones during chaotic moments at school.
She began to get lost in the shuffle and her parents noticed her struggling. They had seen turnover year after year at their current school’s administration, and felt like they had tried all the avenues to advocate for help. E’s parents decided to explore other options for their daughter’s education, looking for schools where she could thrive academically and socially.
Then, a friend told them about Concordia Lutheran School. They liked the idea of smaller class sizes built for personalized learning. As they researched online and talked with current families, what stood out was Concordia’s emphasis on social-emotional skills in a faith-rooted community. They saw students who were confident, taking risks like signing up for an optional talent show, reading morning announcements over the intercom, and gaining academic confidence with personalized small-group support in math and reading.
They toured Concordia and shortly after made the leap, switching schools mid-year. It quickly became evident that the smaller, nurturing environment helped E feel safe to be herself.
That previous Winter, E was a ball of anxiety, unable to perform at her holiday program. Instead of singing with her class, she sat in the corner with noise cancelling headphones. “She was a shell of herself”, said her mother.
She transferred that spring. When Concordia’s Art Faire performance rolled around in May, E was found front and center, singing louder than most other kids onstage and having the time of her life.
She was thriving in a place she felt safe, confident, and able to be herself and it showed.
Many parents tout the unique involvement of Concordia’s staff in their child’s life both academically and socially. Working with each child, teachers can assess and customize weekly lesson plans via small group learning. Teachers also help students assess social emotional skills with a mid and end of year check in, where they celebrate strengths and identify growth areas in a way that feels supported and safe.
Unique involvement does not just stay inside the classroom, either. Teachers plan and execute monthly field trips tied to units like science, math and social studies. These trips take them to places like local museums, giving Seattle kids a chance to explore and learn through the many opportunities afforded to them in the city.
Another unique example of outside-the-classroom involvement is our third and fourth grade teacher, Katie Kohring. An alumni of Concordia Seattle herself, Ms. Kohring has been teaching at Concordia since 2015. She tells her students to invite her to their extracurricular activities. Ms. Kohring has been known to show up at soccer games, mid-week violin concerts, and Friday night basketball games.
Ms. Kohring is currently E’s teacher for the second year in our multi-age class setting, and has gotten a front row seat to E’s transformation at Concordia.
E’s parents continue to report that she is happier, calmer, and more confident at school. They cite the community and staff creating a culture of support and encouragement. They also point to the cross-grade connections building a sense of community.
“I feel like it’s just such a wonderful, caring environment,” says E’s mother.
The family now has both their children at Concordia, where they enjoy building relationships with other families and watching their students grow in a place they feel championed by the staff and community.
Hear more about E’s transformation on our Youtube Channel where you can also find more parent testimonial videos.
If E’s story sounds familiar, book a tour today and see how Concordia Seattle can help your child grow from anxiety to confidence.