+ How can I visit?

For families considering enrollment, campus tours are available to those who have already attended a virtual Q&A or an Information Night. See more in How to Enroll.

If you are interested in the school for other reasons, we suggest writing to us with why you are interested in Clearwater and what you would like to get out of your visit. Visits longer than a brief tour need to be approved by School Meeting and can take two or more weeks to approve.

+ I’m a parent, can I visit/have lunch/play with my kid/etc. at school?

Unless otherwise approved, parents can only be on campus to pick up/drop off students or meet with staff members. Like any other visitor, parents need to be approved by school meeting to spend more time at school. From time to time we invite families and the community in for special events or volunteer activities.

+ What is your curriculum?

At Clearwater we have no required curriculum, no tests, no grades, and no homework. This means students have no pressure to meet standardized assessments and more space to focus on individual needs and the activities that interest them most. Read more in How it Works.

+ What are your policies around "screen time"?

Students are welcome to bring their devices to school or to use the computers in the computer room according to the computer room rules. To read those, view our rulebook. Staff do not set or enforce limits on a students use of devices.

+ Do you provide lunch?

No, we do not provide lunch. Students may bring packed lunches or bring food to prepare/cook themselves. Students are responsible for adequately feeding themselves throughout the day. If access to food is a barrier to attending Clearwater, please reach out to staff to discuss options.

+ What can my student bring to school?

Suggested items to bring each day:

• Food to last the entire day
• Water Bottle
• Change of clothes - particularly for younger students
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Students are welcome to bring their personal belongings to use at school. (Toys, books, art supplies, phone, electronics, etc)

What not to bring:

• Strong scents
• Weapons including pocket knifes
• Aerosols

+ What if I can’t afford tuition?

In an effort to make Clearwater financially accessible to all families, School Meeting offers Scholarships and Tuition Assistance. Any family pursuing enrollment or experiencing a change in their financial situation is welcome to apply at any time during the school year. Details for making a request can be found here: Tuition Assistance.

+ What is your inclement weather policy?

In the case of inclement weather, we closely follow decisions regarding delays and closures with the districts that our students live in (like North Shore, Everett, Edmonds and Seattle) while keeping the safety of our staff members and student's in mind. We will make all announcements ASAP the morning of the delay or closure, but feel free to send us an email if you're not sure if we're open.

+ What is your sick policy?

[updated June 2024]

An overview of our COVID-19 sickness policies are as follows. Please feel free to find the full policy in our rulebook or email us if you have any questions.

Students must test for Covid-19 and stay home when they are exhibiting the following symptoms that are not explainable by a noncontagious condition. Symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Students can return to school once their symptoms have resolved, they are at least 24 hours fever free without the use of fever reducing medication, they have not vomited or had diarrhea for at least 24 hours without medication. If they return prior to day 10, they must wear a mask indoors and outdoors through day 10. Students who become ill at school will be sent home.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you can return to school if:

• your symptoms have resolved,
• you are at least 24 hours fever free without fever reducing medication,
• you have not vomited or had diarrhea for at least 24 hours without medication,
• you have taken two negative rapid tests, after day 5, at least 24 hours apart. That means that the earliest day of return after testing positive is day 7.
• if you return prior to day 10, you must wear a mask indoors and outdoors through day 10.
• students who test positive for COVID-19 at school will be sent home.

+ What does accessibility look like at Clearwater?

• Physical accessibility: Our campus consists of three modular buildings, a house and a garage adapted to be school buildings, an outdoor playground space, and a wooded creek space. The modular buildings have wheelchair accessible ramps. The garage building is level with the ground, the house has 3 concrete steps to the top floor, and the basement of the house has two steep indoor and outdoor staircases of 10 steps. The playground surface is composed of woodchips and the surrounding area is composed of grass, concrete, and gravel. The creek space has unpaved dirt and woodchip paths, grass on uneven ground, a rocky beach, a sandy beach, and a bridge that can be slippery during all seasons. The garage building and one of the modular buildings have wheelchair accessible bathrooms. All bathrooms are gender neutral and single occupancy.
• Scents/fragrances: Though we cannot guarantee a scent free environment (personal laundry detergent and hygiene products used by students, for example), we are committed to buying scent free soap and cleaning products whenever possible. During our daily clean up we currently use a diluted vinegar solution for most cleaning, which smells acidic but does not contain any chemicals or fragrances. Non-medically necessary fragranced products with a spray application (such as aerosol deodorant, perfume, and cologne) and nail polish must only be applied outdoors. Non-aerosol deodorant and other body products may be applied anywhere at school.
• Food: Currently, all food items are permitted at Clearwater, including peanuts, which is subject to change based on student needs. Students with allergies are encouraged to not share food with others and allergen lists are encouraged during potlucks and bake sales. Clearwater does not provide lunch for students. If food security is a barrier to school attendance, please let us know in your Tuition Assistance application and we will work with you to create a plan to meet your student’s needs.
• Service animals and pets: Service animals and emotional support animals are allowed on campus. Pets may come to campus with the approval of all School Meeting members, prior notice, and a plan.
• IEPs, personal aides, interpreters, etc.: Education at Clearwater is not organized according to IEPs and in general all accommodations formally offered through IEPs are available within the structure of the school. Clearwater will work individually with students who desire/need to keep IEPs in place. This can include completing needed paperwork, and/or participating in team meetings. Our policy is to include students in meetings about students. Clearwater students have access to developmental evaluations offered within their home public school district and we can help refer to these. On an individual basis we have allowed student aides to accompany them on campus and see this as a balancing act in an environment that is based on student autonomy and responsibility. We strive to keep a student-centered environment and limit the amount of adults on campus so it is very important that student aides and interpreters understand the philosophy and model.
• Sensory environment: The atmosphere of Clearwater can be loud, chaotic, and unpredictable with students moving freely throughout buildings. Students are encouraged to bring and use whatever tools they need to cope with a chaotic environment including but not limited to noise canceling headphones, calming fidget toys, or other comfort items. Quiet rooms can usually be found but may be scarce depending on demand. Exemptions from mandatory School Meeting are also available for those who need accommodations for large group meetings.
• Covid Policies: As of the start of the ‘24-’25 school year, we still have some COVID-19 precautions in place including one room at the school where masks are required indoors, air filters and window ventilation practices in all rooms, a vaccine mandate for students and staff, a strict sick policy and rapid COVID testing provided by the school.

For more information, or to discuss access needs that were not addressed above, please email us at tcs@clearwaterschool.com