Posts by admin
Advisory: The Heartbeat of our School
by Mariana Urrea At this year’s Back to School Night, Assistant Head of School Tara Kaine beautifully described the Explorer West Advisory program as “the heartbeat of our school.” Advisory gives students the opportunity to build their social-emotional skills by connecting with peers they might not otherwise interact with on a day-to-day basis. I had…
Read MoreScience Update: September 2026
Textbooks are great, but nothing beats seeing a glacier in person! See how our 8th graders brought their science unit to life on their Outdoor Education trips to Mt. Rainier. (Bonus content: A preview of winter Outdoor Education.) Learn more about our Science curriculum here.
Read MoreGrandparents and Special Friends
Each October, we host our students’ Grandparents and Special Friends. We enjoy taking this day to celebrate the people who know and love our students, who cheer them on from near or far and provide consistency and support. A Special Friend could be an aunt, uncle, family friend, older sibling, neighbor, or any adult who…
Read MoreThe Productive Struggle
What’s a key difference between a new sixth grade student and a graduating eighth grader? Here’s how Language Arts teacher Lisa Keith sums it up: Sixth graders often struggle to write a single page; eighth graders fluidly compose and revise long narratives. Sixth graders aren’t sure they have anything to say. Eighth graders not only…
Read MoreBuilding Community Through Adventure
Fall Outdoor Education 2026 Mariana Urrea, Admissions and Communications Associate The trail is our largest classroom. Long before students ever leave the building, they’re practicing patience, meeting each other where they are, and finding their voice – lessons that travel with them into our hallway and beyond. I joined the Explorer West Admin team last…
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