Bright Water School will be hosting an Open House for parents of pre-schoolers on Saturday, Jan. 29. In September, the school plans to expand its Waldorf educational program for young children including parent-toddler classes, as well as preschool, grades 1 and 2.

"We are actively searching for a new site for the school," according to Holly Koteen-Soule, kindergarten teacher and member of the school's board of directors. "We have already outgrown our temporary facilities in North Seattle and are looking at other potential sites located as far north as Sand Point and as far south as Rainier Valley," she added.

Currently, Bright Water offers a parent-toddler program in Mt. Baker and preschool-kindergarten and first grade in Northeast Seattle. Commenting on the school's expansion plans, Koteen-Soule said, "We expect to continue offering a Waldorf early education program for children ages 3-1/2 to 6 years old. We will expand the school by adding classes for older children, as our community grows."

Bright Water School was founded in 1998 by a group of enthusiastic parents and teachers, with support from Seattle Waldorf School. The school's expansion reflects the increasing demand for Waldorf education in the Seattle area. Within the past few years, new Waldorf school initiatives have begun on Bainbridge Island and in Bellevue. This fall, Hazel Wolf High School, another local Waldorf initiative, started offering classes here in Seattle.

"In fact, Waldorf education is the fastest-growing nonsectarian educational movement in the world," added Koteen-Soule. "There are now over 700 Waldorf schools located in 40 countries.

At the open house, parents will have the opportunity to participate in a typical circle activity, learn more about the Waldorf educational approach, and meet parents and founding teachers Holly Koteen-Soule, Michael Soule, and Betsy Weill.

For further information or to register for the open house, please call Bright Water School at 206-547-9842.