The Board of Trustees of The Valley School is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Schultz as our next head of school. Rob will become head of school effective July 1, 2010.

After a thorough search that considered applicants nationally and internationally, and that culminated in bringing four finalists onto campus during the month of January, the search committee and the board of trustees is pleased to be able to make this announcement.

The board feels that Rob is the individual who best meets the needs of the school at this time. His interest in children and his previous experience in teaching, teacher training and school administration will serve the school well. During his visit to the school in January we saw in Rob an engaging personality and a demonstrated ability to connect successfully with students, staff and parents. He was also able to articulate a deep understanding of progressive educational principles and a commitment to child-centered education, both core to The Valley School's mission, principles and practices. We believe that he has the ability both to lead the school and to represent the school and its mission to the greater Seattle community in a professional and thoughtful way.

About Robert Schultz

Robert Schultz is a native of Washington State and grew up in West Seattle near Lincoln Park. He is a graduate of Washington State University where he earned a B.A. in Human Development. He earned his Masters in Education at the University of Guam. More than 12 years ago he moved to Saipan to work with ESL students in the public schools. Rob was a full-time faculty member during his seven years at Northern Marianas College Lab School, and eventually became the director of the program. He has taught child development, educational psychology, thematic planning, numerous methods courses, as well as supervised dozens of practicum experiences and student teachers. Three years ago Rob was recruited by Brilliant Star, a Montessori school based in Saipan, to be their principal. While there, Rob worked with staff trained in the practices of the Association Montessori Internationale. He added the Upper Elementary class, reclaimed two additional buildings from the jungle, and re-energized families.

The Valley School, a non-profit educational institution, was founded in 1985 by Patricia Overy and is approved by the State of Washington. Within 10 years the school expanded from a one-room preschool of 18 children to a complete elementary school of 100 children. The campus, located in an old Madison Valley orchard, has experienced an equally impressive growth and now occupies eight city lots with enlarged classrooms, library, art room, meeting hall, and administrative building. During times of construction and land acquisition, care has always been taken to preserve and enhance the outdoor play spaces for the children.

The growth of the campus has not significantly changed the population the school serves or its mission. Enrollment remains at approximately 100 children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, a size that supports its child-centered learning environment. The easy interaction between grades and careful communication between teachers and administrators are essential to the school's practices and principles.

In 2004, founder Patricia Overy retired as head of school. She continues to work at Valley as a consultant.

Sept. 8 (Wed.)
First day of school, 8:30 arrival, dismissal at noon
Pre-K and Kindergarten dismissal at 11:15
No childcare

Sept. 8 (Wed.)
Coffee for Pre-K and Kindergarten parents
8:30-9:30 a.m.

Sept. 9 (Th.)
First full day of school 8:30 a.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Before- and after-school care starts

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