Open Window School

This week, Open Window School had the privilege of welcoming colleagues from more than a dozen gifted schools across the country as part of the Association of Independent Schools for Gifted Students. As a founding member of AISGS, we were proud to open our doors for a campus tour and conversation about Open Window's approach to gifted education, from authentic projects and hallmark trips to the ways we support students both academically and socially. When schools come together to share ideas and learn from one another, students benefit most. We're grateful to be part of a community that is shaping the future of gifted education.

Open Window School is hiring for the 2026–27 school year! Come join our passionate community of educators and staff. At OWS, we serve bright, gifted learners, and we intentionally invest in the adults who help them thrive. Open Positions: Kindergarten Teacher, Music Teacher, Middle School Language Arts Teacher, Lower School Associate Teacher, Lower School Innovation & Technology Lab Associate Teacher, Middle School Associate Teacher Lead Teacher Salary Range: $64,490 – $129,810 (based on education and years of experience) Associate Teacher (Entry Level) Starting Salary: $47,910 Benefit Highlights - Medical, Dental & Vision: 100% employee-only coverage funded by OWS - Health Reimbursement Account: $1,750 per plan year funded by OWS - 403(b) Retirement: 3% employer contribution + up to 3% employer match after one year - Paid Time Off - Professional Development - And much more! If you’re passionate about gifted education and want to grow in a supportive, mission-driven environment, we’d love to hear from you. 👉 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dR-KvgJm #hiring #EducationCareers #GiftedEducation #IndependentSchool #TeachingJobs #Bobcats 🐯

In January, we welcomed former members of our Board of Trustees back to campus for a special visit. Together, we walked through our campus that holds so many Open Window memories, and shared what has grown and evolved since we made Cougar Mountain our home in 2004. We also previewed our new K–8 library and art room, opening this spring. Thank you to every trustee, past and present, who has helped shape this school with time, care, and long-term vision. Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat! 

Join us on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 5-6:15 PM (PT) to welcome Dr. Christopher Emdin, a writer and professor at Columbia University’s teacher college who holds a Ph.D in Urban Education with a concentration in Mathematics, Science, and Technology. He is best known for his book For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood…and the Rest of Y’all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education, which he wrote from his own experiences growing up as a young person of color feeling undervalued in the classroom. He will be speaking to us about his writings, Hip Hop, and much more! Learn more about Dr. Emdin at https://chrisemdin.com/. This event is free and open to the public hosted by POCIS Northwest. Please RSVP to get our Zoom Link:

Open Window School alumni bring empathy, creativity, and purpose to every community they join, and we’re thrilled to see them thriving at Seattle Academy (SAAS)! From engineering and innovation projects to mentoring younger students and volunteering with local nonprofits, these Bobcats are continuing to make an impact. We’re so proud of who they’re becoming. 💫

After the Eaton Fire devastated the Saint Mark’s School campus in Altadena in January, our ICT team packed and shipped iPads to help their students reconnect and keep learning — with shipping generously sponsored by Alaska Airlines. Acts of kindness like this embody the values that we instill in our graduates: to be empathetic, innovative problem solvers, and passionate, purposeful global citizens.

This weekend, Open Window School was proud to sponsor and present at the Washington Association of Educators of the Talented and Gifted (WAETAG) Conference. Our educators joined hundreds of colleagues from across the state to share strategies, explore new ideas, and celebrate the incredible work happening in gifted education.

Ever wondered what “inservice” days really mean? Last week, while students enjoyed a few days off, our faculty and staff were hard at work learning, collaborating, and sharing ideas to strengthen teaching and learning at Open Window. On Thursday, our team gathered on campus for professional development — from curriculum alignment and trip planning to advancing our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Action Plan. On Friday, we joined colleagues from across the region at the Northwest Association of Independent Schools Conference at Charles Wright Academy. We’re especially proud of Benjamin Morgan, who presented on using AI and memory techniques to support language arts learning, and Euan Oswald, who shared insights on the strategic impact of summer and auxiliary programs.

We’re honored to be recognized by SPARC with an Excellence in Auxiliary Programs Award! Congratulations to our incredible Auxiliary Programs team, Euan Oswald, Chanel Sudds, and Michelle Doiron, for their dedication to designing joyful experiences for students year-round. From summer adventures to after-school enrichment, their work reflects the spirit of innovation and community that defines Open Window. Thank you to SPARC, Summer Programs and Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative for celebrating excellence across the field of auxiliary programs and for fostering such a vibrant community of leaders!

A historic day at Open Window! Yesterday, every student and staff member signed a steel beam that will become part of the new library and art room. This moment marks an exciting milestone in our campus project and reflects the collective effort, energy, and care that make our community strong. Thanks to Absher Construction Company for helping facilitate this!