University Cooperative School is an independent day school in Seattle serving about 150 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Located in the University District, the school operates on a cooperative model where families, teachers, and children shape decisions together. This partnership approach distinguishes U Co-op from more traditional independent schools and affects how teaching, hiring, and community life work here.
Teaching at University Cooperative School means building student confidence while respecting how each child learns. You will design your own lessons rather than follow scripts. Classrooms emphasize peer feedback, collaborative work, and reflection. Class sizes stay small, which gives you time to know each student well and adjust instruction to their needs. The school invests in teachers who stay, so professional development funding and curriculum time are real.
Compensation for faculty includes a competitive Seattle-area salary, health benefits, and tuition assistance for staff children. The school's strong financial reserves—over $2.4 million in net assets and steady fundraising growth—mean stable employment and resources for classroom materials. U Co-op is a day school, so your evenings and weekends are yours, unlike boarding school roles.
University Cooperative School hires for classroom teaching positions, intervention support roles, and occasional administrative openings, typically before each academic year. The hiring process is collaborative. You will observe classes and speak with current teachers. The school seeks educators who embrace partnership with families and believe in child-centered learning.
For elementary teachers in Washington seeking a day school position with real curriculum freedom, modest classes, and a financially stable community, University Cooperative School offers meaningful work rooted in how children actually develop.
*View current faculty and staff openings at University Cooperative School.*
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