Our Vision

At Seattle Amistad School, we envision a community where children don’t have to choose between connection to their cultural values and a good education. Indeed, we know that schools are most successful when they are grounded in and develop students’ cultural and linguistic assets. We envision a community where all students are able to navigate both their own cultural contexts, and those of others. We know that children who have the tools to bridge cultural and linguistic divides will be leaders in creating a more just, compassionate world.

Our Mission

At Amistad, we center and radically commit to joy, excellence, and liberation for Black, brown, and Indigenous students and families. As a two-way dual language program, we prioritize native Spanish-speaking families and strengthen our students’
connections to their home languages and cultures. We nurture bilingual, bicultural, and bi-literate students who use their gifts to change the future for their communities, families, and themselves.

Our Values

The whole child

We believe that children learn and grow best in an environment that respects and nurtures all aspects of their lives. From children’s cultural and linguistic contexts, to their different academic interests and strengths, to their roles as dynamic participants in their families and communities, we encourage children to grow and challenge themselves in every area. We believe that art, music, food, play, and movement are essential components of our lives and our cultures, and should not be separated from children’s education. In fact, we believe that all of these dimensions are essential for a meaningful, transformative academic experience.

Academics

We believe that real power comes from knowledge. Children need to have a solid, well-rounded academic base. Amistad School is designed to exceed the academic standards set out by the State of Washington, and to realize them in two languages. At Amistad, we are committed to 100% grade level proficiency in Spanish literacy, English literacy, math, science, and social studies.

Cultural democracy/Anti-bias

We believe that every member of our school community has the right and responsibility to have an equal voice in the life of the community. Within this dialogue, students, staff, and families challenge themselves to address and reject larger societal dynamics of oppression, ethnocentrism, and marginalization. We work together toward a space where different cultural perspectives cooperate and complement each other in order to support and nurture our children.

Bilingualism, biliteracy, and biculturalism

We believe that children have a right to nurture and strengthen the cultural and linguistic connections to their families and communities, and to use those strengths as the foundation for a rigorous academic experience. We believe that all children need the linguistic and cultural skills to navigate and influence the complex global society of the future, in order to bring about greater peace and justice for our communities and our world.

Cooperation, collective empowerment and Social Justice

At our school, we believe in the power of collaboration and collective empowerment. By working together and supporting every member of our community, we achieve greater success, recognizing that our well-being is interconnected with the well-being of those around us. From classroom projects to addressing global challenges, we instill in our students the importance of collaboration and equip them with real-world skills to create meaningful change. We also believe that education is a tool for social justice, enabling students to forge their own paths while contributing to their communities, both locally and globally. This involves building a strong academic foundation, fostering a deep connection to culture and community, and developing cross-cultural competencies. Through bilingualism, biliteracy, and biculturalism, our students are uniquely prepared to become agents of change, driving progress and fostering unity in an ever-connected world.

Centrality of family and community

We believe that healthy families and communities are both the ends and means to meaningful education for students. Particularly for students of color, culture and language are fundamental aspects of personal and community identity, and rather than being sacrificed through the educational process, should rather serve as the foundation for that process.