PIKAKE SCHOOL

During our sabbatical in Seattle, enrolling our daughter at Pikake was hands-down the best decision we made. From our very first tour, we were struck by the professionalism and warmth of the school director — organized, thoughtful, and immediately welcoming. The teachers carried that same spirit throughout the year. Our daughter's teachers, Ms. Maple and Ms. Tristen, were truly exceptional. She learned so much and genuinely thrived — by the end of the year she could out-quiz her elementary-school-aged brother on world geography! The curriculum let her choose her own projects and go deep into each subject, which made learning feel meaningful and self-directed. We also deeply appreciated how warmly the teachers and families welcomed us, despite having no personal connection to Japanese culture. We got to experience traditions like Hinamatsuri alongside families who made us feel like we belonged. The food deserves its own mention. Every morning we walked in to the smell of freshly made Japanese food — homemade, seasonal, and genuinely delicious. Our daughter's palate grew so much that year. (Her current school's lunch, by contrast, has us packing her meals daily — nothing compares!) If we had stayed in Seattle, we would have wished for Pikake to extend into elementary school without hesitation. We are so grateful for the year we had there. And in our daughter's own words: "I had an amazing time with you! I wish I could be there right now. Pikake is the best preschool ❤️" — said everything.

Our two daughters attended Pikake School. We moved from Japan to the US when they were very young, and they had never been to daycare or preschool before. We were very worried about whether they would be able to adjust to a new environment. Thanks to the kind and caring teachers at Pikake School, both of our daughters grew up happy and healthy. Through Montessori education, we saw them develop deep focus and curiosity, learn to clean up after themselves, and even prepare for the next day on their own the night before — it was truly wonderful to see them grow into such capable children. The bilingual class also helped them become comfortable with English. Our older daughter has transitioned smoothly into a local elementary school, and our younger daughter is well prepared to do the same. Thank you so much for everything.

We loved our experience with Pikake School. The staff is loving and patient and their curriculum and support is top notch. Their facilities are so clean and their lunch is amazing.

My daughter attended Pikake School, and we are very grateful for the wonderful experience she had there. The teachers always cared for the children warmly, and we felt very comfortable and reassured sending her to school every day. In the Japanese and English environment, she was able to learn naturally, build friendships, and grow in her own way. We also appreciated how thoughtfully the daily activities and school events were planned. Our daughter truly enjoyed going to school, and we could see that the teachers paid close attention to each child. Although we feel sad that she is graduating, her time at Pikake has become a very special memory for our family. We would definitely recommend Pikake School to families looking for a warm and supportive preschool. Thank you so much for everything.

Both our daughters have attended Pikake and have developed a joy for learning, a foundation for respecting themselves and others and a sense of pride in exploring and accomplishing things, as well as a growing knowledge and appreciation of the Japanese language and culture. The staff is engaging and kind and the director, Tomomi-sensei, has done a phenomenal job creating a culture of warmth and welcome. Our oldest, who has since graduated, always loves coming back, because she feels so seen and loved. The food is also a favorite for our kids :) It’s a beautiful community (Ohana) and I would encourage anyone looking for a preschool to check it out!