All About Swift Water Elementary School
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Neighborhoods Within School Boundary
We’re back with the next post in our series about the Peninsula School District, and today’s stop is Swift Water Elementary School. It’s one of the four newest schools in the Gig Harbor area, and serves all of Gig Harbor North. Let’s take a look inside and meet the students, teachers, and parents.
A Brand New Place To Learn
David Brooks, Principal
I’m principal at Swift Water Elementary. We are in Gig Harbor North. After Swift Water Elementary School our kids go to Harbor Ridge Middle School. From there they’ll go to Peninsula High School or Henderson Bay High School.
Last year we opened brand new; we had about 390 kids that opened school. Swift Water is one of four new schools that was made possible by our 2019 bond. So excited to be here—it’s an amazing school.
This year we added a new program called the Options Program. Our Options Program serves kids that have some special significant needs and we provide a welcoming opportunity for them to be included in our general education classrooms. And again, it’s just been amazing and inspiring to see our kids reach out and make connections as well as staff welcoming all kids into our classrooms.
Kelli Willson, Teacher
I currently teach kindergarten and I have been teaching for 29 years. I had the honor and privilege of actually being on the planning team here at Swift Water. This is our second year in operation and it’s amazing.
Mason L., Student
It’s really fun that you just have fun with your friends. It’s very happy and it’s really a good place to be.
Amanda LaShells, Parent & PTO Co-President
I feel very safe with my kid coming to Swift Water. We have one entrance and exit out of the school and they have to check in through the office, which makes me as a parent feel very, very comfortable sending my child here.
Sarita Smith, Parent & PTO Co-President
I am so happy that my daughter gets to attend Swift Water. We moved here from out of state and the school opened brand new. We are so excited about the beautiful building, we absolutely love all of the staff and administration here, we love the teachers.
Close to the Community
David Brooks, Principal
Over 50% of our kids either walk or ride their bikes to school. We only have two buses that serve kids outside of that walkable area, so most of our kids actually come to school from our local neighborhoods, which is amazing.
Max F., Student
I like how it’s close to everything, so you can bike or walk to school, you don’t have to drive all the time.
Sarita Smith, Parent & PTO Co-President
It’s a wonderful place and we’re so happy to have a great school right within our neighborhood that’s in walking distance.
David Brooks, Principal
Our volunteer parent organization has been amazing. Last year they created a nonprofit from scratch. This month we had over 50 parents and community members that came in to learn about volunteer opportunities and what expectations we have for them.
Connected Teachers & Staff
Jeremy Wilson, Music Specialist
I’m a music specialist here at Swift Water Elementary School, and I’ve been teaching music for 10 years. Swift Water is great for a variety of reasons. One of the main things I love is the fact that we have a staff that’s all going in the same direction. We all have the same focus about reaching students, so that’s huge because it helps us connect with each other. And then because we’re connecting with each other as a staff, we also get to connect with the kids better as a whole group.
Max F., Student
One thing I like about this school is the choir. It’s so fun and Mr. Wilson really makes everything great.
Amanda LaShells, Parent & PTO Co-President
I’m very excited that my child gets to start in kindergarten and go all the way up through fifth grade, that she gets to build a great relationship with all the staff and the teachers along the way, and that she’s just super supported in everything that she needs.
Kelli Willson, Teacher
I come back because I love people and I love students. This is what we want to be about, and I feel like everybody here is 110% on board. That keeps us unified, it keeps us excited, and it keeps us reaching out to the community and our kids.
David Brooks, Principal
As a new school, we just wanted to set ourselves apart as being a welcoming community of learners, where we all come together to empower and inspire each other to lead, innovate, and dream. I love coming here every day and thinking, “I get to work here.” And it’s not just the school, it’s our kids, our families, our staff, and our community.
Swift Water Elementary Stats
Peninsula School District Profile
Feeds Into:
Henderson Bay High School (school of choice)
Neighborhoods Within School Boundary
Some neighborhoods include:
Downtown Gig Harbor
Ancich Court
Artena Addition
Fullers
East Gig Harbor
Discovery Ridge
Eagle Quest
East Harbor Estates
Harbor View West
Loma Vista Estates
Montrachet
West Passage Ridge
Peacock Hill
Harborcrest
Harbor Estates
Harbor Glen
Harbor View
Hawley
Northridge
North Shore Hills
Scandia Heights
The Ridge at Gig Harbor
The Village at Avalon Woods
Tuscany Park Estates
Valley View
Wedlunds
Westbrook Glen
Woodridge
Woodworths
Sunrise Beach
Morningside
Morningside West
Sea Cliff Estates
Sunrise Trace
West Pass Terrace
If you want to learn more about our wonderful community here be sure to check out my blog, or for more information on buying and selling in Gig Harbor and the surrounding area go to askpaigeschulte.com.