The Bertschi Difference
We’re not going to take credit for what’s already there—just for helping bring it to the surface. Our students are individuals whose “job” is to get to know themselves, explore their unique character and share it openly with their world.
Get Us at a Glance
- Located in Seattle’s North Capitol Hill neighborhood
- Grades PreK-5 / 240 students
- Average class size: 19
- Student/teacher ratio: 7-to-1
- Faculty: 38
- Tuition: $29,351 (Financial Aid available)
- Bertschi kids are curious, enthusiastic, cooperative, open to new ideas, and comfortable making transitions.
- Our strong curriculum integrates core academics with art, technology, science, dance, music and drama.
- Our urban campus exhibits our commitment to sustainability and nature with living buildings designed to teach and demonstrate social responsibility.
Her legacy of dynamic, multi-cultural, community-centered early childhood education began back in 1975.
The Bertschi Story, 1975–2016
1975
Brigitte has a Vision
In one leased classroom in the basement of Lowell Elementary School, Brigitte Bertschi brings dynamic, multi-cultural, community-centered early childhood education to 15 students on Capitol Hill.
1976
Permanent Digs
Bertschi School moves 10 blocks north to its current Capitol Hill location—beginning with just one building.
1980
Growing Up...
Grades 1 and 2 are added. Two classrooms for each grade, plus our Pre-K and Kindergarten students bring total enrollment to 112 students with 6 teachers.
1985
Science Lab
The same year “Weird Science” hits the movie theaters, Bertschi School opens its first small Science Lab to the delight of all our 124 students!
1986
Getting Cultural
The Kindergarten class kicks off our on-campus celebration of the Chinese New Year with our first-ever Dragon Parade—a tradition that continues today.
1987
Time to Expand
After acquiring additional buildings on the same city block, we expand our educational program to serve PreK- 5th graders.
1997
Getting Techie
40 Macintosh computers are purchased and our Technology Lab is expanded to include space for students to use PCs daily in their studies.
1999
New and Improved
“Mission 2000” raises $1.4M to enable renovation of the Church Building classrooms to create the 5th grade suite and preserve Bertschi’s landmark Church building.
2000
Help for Everyone
Our celebrated Learning Services Program is established, offering assistance to all students through small-group reading and math study and individual tutoring.
2006
Going Green
Our new Bertschi Center—the first LEED Gold- certified building on an independent school campus in the NW—offers students spaces for music, art, PE and outdoor play.
2008
Curtain Call!
The newly-renovated Library and Drama Lab open to the delight of our 230+ students and 48 faculty and staff. Students celebrate by performing 10 plays this school year.
2011
35th Anniversary
Our new Living Building Science Wing offers interactive teaching tools for educating students about issues surrounding the scarcity of resources and alternative energy sources. Learn more
2012
New Website
Bertschi launches a newly branded website featuring up-close views of life inside our school—with photos and quotes from our students, families, alumni, faculty and staff.
2014
Green Honors
Bertschi School is honored as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School for demonstrating ongoing commitment to sustainable practices by students, faculty and parents.
2015
Celebrating a Legacy
Bertschi School celebrates 40 years with large community events; bringing together Bertschi Kids and families from all four decades of the school's history and bidding adieu to our founding Head of School, Brigitte Bertschi, celebrating her incredible legacy. This momentous year culminates in a beautiful Japanese Monadelpha Tree planted in Brigitte's honor on Bertschi School's campus.
2016
Welcoming a new Head of School
In the spring of 2015, the Bertschi School Board of Trustees unanimously approved the appointment of Rafael del Castillo as our second Head of School, beginning July 1, 2016, to lead the school forward in the vision of our founder.