The Bush School

The Bush SchoolBlazer Bulletin Board

What’s happening at Bush?

List of 3 news stories.

K-12 Important Dates

Mark your calendars with the following important K-12 dates. Events can also be found on the Bush Calendar of Major Dates.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31 Lower and Middle School Parent and Guardian-Teacher Conferences  and Upper School Faculty Workday (no K-12 classes held)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 Veterans Day (campus will be closed)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24-FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Fall Break (campus will be closed)

Click here to read more about The Bush School’s Religious & Cultural Observances Policy. 
  • Lower School Cup Stack-a-Thon is Back This November! Volunteer and Help Break A Record Lower School Cup Stack-a-Thon is Back This November! Volunteer and Help Break A Record
    Dear Bush Lower School Families,

    Our annual World Record attempt for “Most People Sport Stacking at Multiple Locations Worldwide” is happening in November!

    Each year, Kindergarten through Fifth Grade students practice Sport Stacking (also known as Cup Stacking or Speed Stacking) which involves “upstacking” and “downstacking” twelve cups in different pyramid patterns. What are the benefits of Sport Stacking?
    • Improves hand-eye coordination, agility, and focus, while also boosting academic performance and self-esteem. 
    • Develops teamwork, sportsmanship, and overall brain health by activating both sides of the brain through rhythmic, cross-body movements. 
    • Sport stacking is an affordable, inclusive activity that offers a fun, competitive challenge for people of all ages and abilities.  
    We will be stacking during Lower School P.E. classes from Tuesday, November 18-Thursday, November 20. We encourage all in the Bush community to join us if you are able- to watch, learn, or participate!

    You can find out information about the event here:
    You can learn to Sport Stack here:
    You can order your own set of cups here:

    Questions? Reach out to Lower School P.E. Teacher Tami Hutchison.
     
  • Upper School Semester Away and Year Abroad Opportunities Upper School Semester Away and Year Abroad Opportunities
    Dear Bush Upper School Families,

    The Bush School encourages students to explore learning beyond the classroom and sometimes, beyond campus. Semester Away and Year Abroad programs offer Upper School students a chance to deepen their independence, engage with new communities, and experience learning through courage and curiosity. Please read below of the details and opportunities coming up. 

    We’re excited to welcome four partner programs to campus this fall to share their unique offerings with interested Ninth and Tenth Grade students. Admissions representatives from The School for Ethics and Global Leadership, the High Mountain Institute, Maine Coast Semester, and Alzar School will visit on Friday, November 14, during the Upper School lunch period and conference block. If your child is considering a study away experience, please encourage them to attend.

    Eligibility and Process
    Study Away opportunities are open to rising Tenth and Eleventh Grade students only. Interested students must complete an internal Bush application and meet with Upper School Director Ingrid Gustavson before applying to any external program. This conversation helps ensure a smooth experience by reviewing academic progress, expectations, and graduation requirements.

    All materials, including curriculum guides and course descriptions from the host program, must be submitted to the Upper School Office. Students who do not follow this process will not be considered for a study away program.

    Space and Selection
    Bush allocates budget space each year for up to four students to study away. If interest exceeds availability, priority will be given to students in good academic and behavioral standing.

    Cost
    In the past, the school required that families continue to pay Bush tuition while a student was away from campus. This was necessary in order to continue to cover the associated sunk staffing costs the school must absorb based on anticipated enrollment. As the school has grown, and Semester/Year Away programs have become an option for more students at Bush, the school has been able to develop a policy that provides greater flexibility for families while still offering the school some financial certainty moving into the academic year.
    • Semester Away: families will pay 25% of the cost of tuition for the semester away and the full amount of tuition for the semester they return to Bush.

    • Full Year Away: families will pay a more significant enrollment deposit (30%) for the year their student studies away from campus to hold the students’ space to return to Bush the following school year. Billing for both options will follow Bush’s regular billing cycle and deadlines. During their year away, students will be withdrawn and will re-enroll upon their return with confirmation of good academic standing.

    If a student receives financial aid from Bush, the aid grant will be prorated and applied to the portion of the year the student is on campus. No portion of the aid grant will be transferred to the study away program. However, all of the study away programs that we are connected to offer their own financial aid opportunities, and families interested in financial assistance for study away programs can apply through the specific program to cover the costs of their time away.
     
    If you have any questions about this policy change or are interested in considering a semester program in the future please feel free to Director of Programs, Methow Campus & Semester School Alexa Adams. 

    Warmly,

    Head of School Sarah Smith 
    Methow Campus & Semester School Alexa Adams

K-12 ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Divisional AnnouncementsLower School

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Middle School

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UPPER SCHOOL

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Week at a Glancecollege counseling

Bush Upper School families are encouraged to visit the Office of College Counseling website to keep informed on all important dates, upcoming deadlines, college visits, and more. Below you can find links to grade level timelines, we recommend bookmarking these pages as they will be updated throughout the year with new important information. 

 
  • Help Keep Sparky’s Grill Fired Up – We Need You! Help Keep Sparky’s Grill Fired Up – We Need You!
    Upper School volleyball matches have begun and on and we need your help to make match days great!

    Sparky’s Grill, our concession stand, plays a big role in supporting our athletic programs, and we’re looking for parent and guardian volunteers to help keep it running smoothly throughout the season.
    Our goal is to have Sparky’s open for all Upper School home volleyball games, and we need two adult volunteers per game to make that possible. We’ve made it easy for families to jump in:
    • Shifts are just ninety minutes
    • A staff member from Sage Dining will be on-site to help each night
    This is a fun, easy way for parents and guardians from all grade levels to support the student-athlete experience - even if your child isn’t playing in a game that night. Every dollar raised helps fund the athletics department. Volunteering at Sparky’s is a great chance to meet other families, show your school spirit, and make a real impact.

    We’ve created a Sign-Up Genius to make it simple to choose a shift that works for you. Families often volunteer during games when their child isn’t playing, but all are welcome to help—no matter what grade your child is in.

    Thank you for helping to build a strong and spirited community. We look forward to seeing you at the matches—and at Sparky’s Grill!
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Community NewsArts

  • Bush Faculty Awarded for Artistic Achievements

    This Faculty and Staff Appreciation Week, we are proud to share two incredible honors that reflect the passion, creativity, and dedication our educators bring to The Bush School every day.

    Lower School music teacher Juliana Cantarelli Vita has been named a 2026 Music Educator Award Quarterfinalist by the GRAMMY Museum and Recording Academy, while Upper School English Teacher Molly Olguín has been selected as one of just five writers nationwide to receive the 2025 Jack Hazard Fellowship from the New Literary Project.

    Both of these recognitions celebrate what we at Bush see every day—teachers who spark joy, challenge students to think deeply, and model what it means to pursue one’s passions with purpose. Read below about their accomplishments.

  • Photos Available for Middle and Upper School Spring Performing Arts Productions!

    Photos are available now for the Upper School spring production of "Priscilla Dreams the Answer" and the Middle School spring production of "A Day on Mt. Olympus." 

    Click here to view photos from the Upper School production "Priscilla Dreams the Answer"

    Click here to view photos from the Middle School production "A Day on Mt. Olympus"

  • Cultivating Community: Bush Arts Prepares for Upcoming Performances

    Creative, expressive, and free-thinking, the Bush School Performing Arts Department has been in full swing since last semester, organizing fall and winter drama performances, choir concerts, art displays, and music showcases. Each production was a massive success for Arts faculty and students, who worked diligently to ensure the Bush community was entertained and inspired at each event. As they continue blazing trails through the new year, Bush Arts reflects on the art highlights of last semester and shares what exciting events are in store for the Bush community.

  • Showstoppers! Photos Available from Upper School Music Showcase and Venue

    Last week featured two nights of incredible music productions! The Upper School Music Showcase on Tuesday, December 10 included performances from student ensembles and bands. Venue, a student run music showcase, included soloists, duets, additional band performances, and more! Photos from both performances are available now!

  • Upper School Jazz Band Prepares for The Bush School Music Showcase

    The Upper School Music Showcase is right around the corner, and students have been preparing all semester to play their hearts out for The Bush School community. This harmonious event, which will take place on Tuesday, December 10, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. showcases a variety of musical styles and fosters a sense of belonging through a shared love of music.
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Athletics

  • Six Bush Student-Athlete Sign To Compete at The Next Level

    In front of family and friends, six Bush student-athletes were celebrated on Wednesday, May 14 for their outstanding athletic careers at Bush and their commitment and hard work to be able to compete at the collegiate level next year.

  • Bush's Duncan F.-S. '25 Signs to Run at Brown

    A career fueled by a love of running and passion for making those around him better, Bush’s Duncan F.-S. '25 plans to do the same at the next level. On Friday afternoon, November 22, in front of family, friends, and Bush community members, Duncan signed to run cross country and track at Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island next fall.
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Families Association

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HIGHLIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL

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The Bush School
The Bush School is an independent day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 745 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities

3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status
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