Silverwood School, Poulsbo | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

Since reviews were turned off for schools during COVID, I received a notification I can post my review now and I’m very happy to share our nightmare of an experience.

The new Head of School (at least she was new when we were there), Lisa Heaman, failed to keep our daughter safe. When we expressed our concerns and filed a formal complaint (after we tried repeatedly to call her and exhaust all avenues with her), she disenrolled our daughter. Prior to Lisa joining the school, the school had a 100% reenrollment rate. Now they struggle to keep teachers and families alike. The teacher turnover was so bad that she herself has to teach and administration is pulled into teaching and other duties constantly. Since we left, we’ve met teacher that used to work under her and we’ve heard some horrifying stories. No surprise she can’t keep teachers. She refers to families that have decided to leave the school due to her ineptness as “toxic”. She removed the ability to leave reviews on Facebook and all positive reviews were prior to her joining the school. Much was revealed on Facebook about Lisa in the review comments, so she removed the review content completely, which is scary for incoming and prospective parents. We urge all parents to be highly cautious of this school while Lisa is there. Please also look at her past experience and read what parents have said about her there as well. We are so disappointed in this school and regret sending our daughter here due to Lisa’s inability to keep her safe from sexual harassment and getting physically hurt (our daughter isn’t the only one). We filed a formal complaint with the state. Throughout our experience, we’ve been shocked at how many families have had similar experiences with Lisa and have left the school (and labeled as “toxic”) or are afraid of saying something in fear of retaliation.

My daughter is a kindergartener this year at Silverwood. As a not quite five year old, my daughter wasn’t old enough to attend public school kindergarten, but she was exhibiting all the signs of readiness and really wanted to go to school like her older brother. We made the decision to send her to Silverwood and I can’t say enough great things about the school.

My daughter is very interested in math and science, but hasn’t ever shown much interest in reading or writing. Since starting Silverwood in September, my daughter has absolutely blossomed. Her love of math, science, and art are being fostered in ways I didn’t expect. But most impressively, my daughter who had no interest in reading is suddenly so excited about learning to read. As we drive around and as she talks, she’s started independently sounding out words and identifying how things are spelled. She’s started reading signs as we drive. It is so surprising to me and I am absolutely thrilled. She is still struggling with learning to write, but the teachers and aids at Silverwood are so patient and supportive of her.

My daughter has also become more independent and is learning lots of socio-emotional skills as well. She loves how active the day is, and how much freedom there is to explore. Every day she comes home explosively happy and with lots to tell us about her day. On the weekends she asks how many days until she gets to go back to school.

Silverwood has absolutely been a great fit for our family, and I am so thrilled with this investment in my daughter’s future. If you’re looking for a secular education for your child, I wholeheartedly recommend Silverwood.