Silverwood School, an independent institution located between Poulsbo and Silverdale that was established in 1984, recently expanded to serve kindergarten through eighth-grade students and renovated its farmhouse building to accommodate the growth.
Situated on a 17-acre wooded campus on Central Valley Road, the school emphasizes project-based, hands-on learning with a focus on outdoor education. Students engage in activities beyond traditional classrooms, exploring natural surroundings to enhance their educational experience.
The school previously served grades K-6. Head of school Lisa Heaman said the renovation was a collaborative effort involving architect firm Rice Fergus Miller, students and staff, resulting in a modern learning environment. The farmhouse’s lower level now houses the school’s main office.
The school celebrated the completion of the project with an open house last month, sharing the new space with the community and highlighting the experiences of its middle school students.
”Being a student and now educator, I had thoughts about what I expected, and what is refreshing is— it’s not anything I predicted— it’s beyond that,” Heaman said.
Silverwood maintains small class sizes to ensure personalized attention. The teaching team comprises dedicatedis made up of professionals who bring diverse backgrounds and a passion for education, fostering strong, individualized bonds with students.
Stella Brown, an eighth-grade student and fifth-year attendee, shared her excitement about the science fair in Bremerton on March 28. “We are researching and gathering materials and information we need for projects and experiments related to sports, baking and gardening,” Stella said.
Kairi Anderson, another eighth grader and fifth-year student, spoke about Silverwood’s gardens, a central part of their hands-on learning experience. “I along with other students, tend to the garden regularly. Recently, we won first-, second-and third-place at the Kitsap County Fair with different plants,” Kairi said.
Ryan Marriott, a middle school teacher and parent of two at Silverwood, said the challenge is “spreading the word that we are here. We know our students on personal levels, the relationships we build go beyond the classroom,” he said.