Search Results

Search Results

  • Grade 4
    Students in Grade 4 begin to see the bigger world, including issues of justice and fairness.  The Grade 4 program taps into student curiosity and actively engages students in their quest for knowledge. Based on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme ( PYP ), the curriculum pro ...
  • Alumni From Class of 1970-79
    News • 12/2/2020
    Piper Cheney '73
  • Grade 5
    Annie Wright Schools challenge our students to be the best they can be. Based on the International Baccalaureate  Primary Years Programme ( PYP ), the curriculum provides a framework for inquiry-based learning that focuses on the development of the whole child, both in the classroom and beyond ...
  • This is a test
    News • 11/21/2013
    This is ;a test
  • Grade 6
    Annie Wright Middle School provides students with a sound academic foundation in a supportive environment where structure and routine are balanced with the freedom to explore and develop individually. Grade 6 Curriculum List of 8 items. Design This course introduces students to the Design Cycle whi ...
  • Grade 7
    Annie Wright Middle School provides students with a sound academic foundation in a supportive environment where structure and routine are balanced with the freedom to explore and develop individually. Grade 7 Curriculum List of 8 items. Design This course introduces students to the Design Cycle whi ...
  • Grade 8
    Annie Wright Middle School provides students with a sound academic foundation in a supportive environment where structure and routine are balanced with the freedom to explore and develop individually. Grade 8 Curriculum List of 8 items. Design This course introduces students to the Design Cycle whi ...
  • Student Support
    Research proves that students learn best when their academic, emotional, physical, and social needs are met. Annie Wright is dedicated to educating the whole child and works to provide a healthy, safe and supportive environment so that our students can be engaged and challenged learners. Learning S ...
  • Student Life & Experiences
    Part of the magic of Annie Wright Schools is what happens outside of class time.  At the heart of the Upper Schools program is the belief that risk-taking, development of passions and shared experience are essential for growth. With these ideas at the center of every offering, students partici ...
  • International Baccalaureate
    International Baccalaureate – a broad, balanced, conceptual and connected curriculum. IB centers students and encourages students to be deep learners, to ask good questions, to set and pursue effective goals, and to self-advocate. Assessment requires students to demonstrate higher-order think ...
  • Learn More
    Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. Annie Wright Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for boys and girls offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12. Annie Wright is proud to be an Inte ...
  • Auction Events
    Annie Wright’s annual auction events provide opportunities for the whole community to come together to celebrate our schools and our students. All of the proceeds from these fundraising events help ensure that our students have the facilities, faculty, and resources they need to succeed. Visi ...
  • Fund-A-Need
    The annual Fund-A-Need (FAN) is an opportunity for the Gator community to support a specific area at Annie Wright Schools that enhances programming and learning for our students and community at large. From the Kemper Theatre upgrades to new bleachers, shade umbrellas and audiovisual equipment, rec ...
  • Working Groups
    Working Groups Here at AWS we employ a “ Working  Group” model that is designed to leverage the expertise of our community to improve the human experience on campus. Volunteer members of the faculty and staff lead our  Working   Groups , and each year they select particul ...
  • Health, Wellness & Support
    Research proves that students learn best when their academic, emotional, physical, and social needs are met. Annie Wright is dedicated to educating the whole child and works to provide a healthy, safe and supportive environment so that our students can be engaged and challenged learners. We provide ...
  • Senior Leadership Team
    Annie Wright Schools' Senior Leadership Team is responsible for the daily operations, oversight, and leadership of the schools. Each team member is committed to advancing Annie Wright’s mission and key characteristics. Jake Guadnola ’90MS Head of Schools Jake began serving as Head of Annie Wr ...
  • Faculty & Staff
    Our faculty and staff are here to serve our students and their families. Please feel free to contact them directly at any time, or for general information, please contact the main office at 253.272.2216. Meet our Faculty & Staff Department Select Department Art Classroom Teachers Educational Te ...
  • Employment
    Our talented and committed group of faculty and staff is at the heart of Annie Wright's strong community. Employees can expect a warm and collegial atmosphere, where students from age three to 18 are at the center of all we do. A supportive administration, beautiful setting, excellent resources and ...
  • Contact Us
    Request Information Transcript Requests Annie Wright Schools 827 North Tacoma Avenue Tacoma, WA 98403 Phone: 253.272.2216  |  Fax: 253.572.3616 Admissions Preschool-Grade 5: Email Chelsea Thompson or call 253.284.8602 Grades 6-8 and Tacoma Scholars: Email Sahara Jones or call 253.284.8601 ...
  • Transcript Requests
    Please enter all required information. Invalid text has been entered. Please correct all errors and click submit To request a copy of your transcript, complete the following form. The normal processing time is 2-3 days from the date of when the request is received, excluding delivery. You may, h ow ...
  • Giving at Independent Schools
    Independent schools are non-profit institutions that rely on tuition and donations, rather than government funding, to operate. The best independent schools in the country try to keep tuition down by finding other ways to generate revenue, mostly by fundraising. In fact, almost all of these schools ...
  • Upper Schools Curriculum
    Annie Wright Upper School prepares students extraordinarily well for college, offering small classes, independent-minded peers and an exceptional faculty. An International Baccalaureate World School, Annie Wright has offered the rigorous Diploma Programme, considered the gold standard in internatio ...
  • Connect
    Alumni, we would love to hear from you! Use the form below or email the alumni office to share a class note and/or update contact information. Please enter all required information. Invalid text has been entered. Please correct all errors and click submit *Name Phone Number *Class Year *Email Addre ...
  • Red ties
    Thank you for supporting scholarships at Annie Wright Schools       "As the recipient of a scholarship to Annie Wright which truly changed my life, I’m proud to do my part for young women and men yearning for the dynamic and warm environment I enjoyed in the Upper School f ...
  • Yellow ties
    Thank you for supporting scholarships at Annie Wright Schools       "I enthusiastically support The Annie Wright scholarship fund because attending Annie Wright more than 60 years ago was a huge gift to me. It enabled  me to have a solid academic foundation, life long frien ...
  • Blue ties
    Thank you for supporting scholarships at Annie Wright Schools       "I'm all in for Annie because Annie Wright is in my heart. I’m grateful for the relationships I’ve built upon its foundation. I also value the new friends I’ve made as an alumna and trustee. I ...
  • Green ties
    Thank you for supporting scholarships at Annie Wright Schools       "I support Annie Wright because of family, friendship, tradition and education as well as looking to the future and helping to give others the same experience."   -Dee (Cragin) Hanich Green Tie Class of  ...
  • Faculty & Staff Updates
    Annie Wright Schools' faculty and staff commit themselves to students and their families, providing and supporting our exceptional programs and inspiring a lifelong love of learning. WELCOME TO THE ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS COMMUNITY! Brooke Arudda, Residential Faculty After earning a Bachelor’s D ...
  • 36 Hours in Tacoma
    ALUMNI WEEKEND: THE BEST OF TACOMA Steeped in tradition, emanating innovation, Tacoma is a hidden gem and one of the best kept secrets in the Northwest. Whether the last time you visited was 1965 or you never left, T-Town has a tremendous amount to offer, from spectacular natural beauty to eclectic ...
  • Great Outdoor Adventure team
    Elevate your Upper School experience with Annie Wright Schools’ Great Outdoor Adventure Team (GOAT). The GOAT (Great Outdoor Adventure Team) program at Annie Wright Schools offers Upper School boarding students an exceptional opportunity to participate in a dynamic, student-centered elective. ...
  • Gators Give
    JOIN US IN CREATING A GARDEN OF POSSIBILITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS Your commitment to Gators Give plants the seeds for tomorrow’s strength, ensuring a thriving, diverse community where every Annie Wright student can flourish uniquely. Together, let’s grow a Garden of Possibilities.   A ...
  • 360 virtual tour
    WELCOME TO ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS! Welcome to Annie Wright Schools! Nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest and a proud part of Tacoma since 1884, we offer a vibrant community where each student’s strengths, passions, and learning styles are celebrated. Our Lower and Middle Schools provid ...
  • Strength Magazine
    Strength magazine, published for all members of the Annie Wright Schools community, includes articles about educational trends, stories about students, faculty and alumni, and updates on the evolving history of the school. Click on the cover icon to read the issue online.
  • Accreditations & Affiliations
    Annie Wright Schools are proud to be accredited members of the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS), and members of several professional organizations including the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), International Coalition of Girls' Schools (NCGS), the Internationa ...
  • Upper School Counseling
    At Annie Wright Schools, we recognize that student success goes beyond academics. Our Counseling Team provides personalized, proactive emotional and social support to help students navigate challenges, build resilience, and thrive. Upper School Counseling Services One-on-One & Group Counseling ...
  • Upper School Learning Support
    Personalized support for every learner – we are committed to helping students build confidence, independence, and self-advocacy in their learning. Our Upper School Learning Support team provides accommodations that empower students to engage fully in their academic experience and transition s ...
  • Strategic Plan 2025-2030
    STRATEGIC PLAN 2025-2030 In January 2025, the Board of Trustees initiated a strategic planning process. Over a 6-month period, a 17-person team of students, alumni, faculty, administrators, parents and trustees worked toward the development of a new strategic plan. Their work has intentionally incl ...
  • Upper School for Girls
    Annie Wright Upper School for Girls (USG) prepares students extraordinarily well for college, offering small classes, independent-minded peers and an exceptional faculty. An International Baccalaureate World School , Annie Wright has offered the rigorous Diploma Programme, considered the gold stand ...
  • Upper School for Boys
    Annie Wright Upper School for Boys (USB) prepares students extraordinarily well for college, offering small classes, independent-minded peers and an exceptional faculty. An International Baccalaureate World School , Annie Wright has offered the rigorous Diploma Programme, considered the gold standa ...
  • Planned Giving
    The Heritage Society recognizes alumni, parents, and friends who have committed a planned or deferred gift to Annie Wright Schools. Planned giving to Annie Wright Schools ensures that generations of students will benefit from your investment. By joining the Heritage Society you help shape the legac ...
  • Support Scholarships
          Support Scholarships at Annie Wright Schools At Annie Wright Schools, education opens doors—bright classrooms, bustling hallways, the quiet concentration of a student lost in a book. Your gift helps turn those doors into pathways for students, and ensures that genera ...
  • Scholarships and Distinctions
    Unlock Your Potential at AWS Our scholarships and distinctions are here to celebrate what makes you unique— your talents , your passions , and your drive to make a difference. These opportunities aren’t just about recognition; they’re about giving you the tools and experiences to ...
  • AccessAWS
    Friday, January 30, 2026, at 3:45 pm - 9:00 pm Join us for AccessAWS! Our annual Grade 9 admissions event as part of our Prospective Gator Weekend at Annie Wright Schools! Come join us for an evening of exciting Upper School traditions and a deep dive into our Upper School culture.   During Ac ...
  • Pyeongtaek Scholars
    평택 장학생 1기 모집에 참여하세요! Join our first cohort of Pyeongtaek Scholars! 애니 라이트 스쿨은 평택과 타코마 간 새 ...
  • Prospective Gator Weekend
    Preschool-Kindergarten Group Play All Preschool and Kindergarten applicants have the opportunity to join us for a 60-minute group play event on Saturday, January 31, 2026. This allows students to experience AWS teachers and helps us get to know them. You are able to register to attend Group Play th ...
  • Board of Trustees
    Annie Wright Schools are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees. The Board is made up of parents, grandparents, alumni and community members whose time and expertise contribute to the operation of the schools. The Board's Major Responsibilities Are To: Lis ...
  • Leadership, Faculty & Staff
    Annie Wright Schools' Board of Trustees, Senior Leadership Team, and faculty and staff work together to keep students at the heart of everything they do. The Board of Trustees comprises volunteer parents, grandparents, alumni and community members whose time and expertise contribute to Annie Wright ...
  • AWS at a Glance
    Annie Wright Schools serve students from age three through high school. Annie Wright Lower and Middle Schools offer co-ed programs in Preschool through Grade 8, while separate Upper Schools for boys and girls offer day and boarding options in Grades 9 through 12. Annie Wright is proud to be an Inte ...
  • Tacoma Scholars
    Investing in Students. Investing in Tacoma. What is a Tacoma Scholar? Annie Wright Schools launched Tacoma Scholars to provide an AWS education to Tacoma students who come from historically excluded communities. We recognize, however, that lasting change will only be realized through professional o ...
  • Our Guiding Documents
    Mission Statement Annie Wright's strong community cultivates individual learners to become well-educated, creative and responsible citizens for a global society. As mission-led institutions, Annie Wright Schools strive to prepare students for academic and personal success through the following key ...
  • Student Support
    Research proves that students learn best when their academic, emotional, physical, and social needs are met. Annie Wright is dedicated to educating the whole child and works to provide a healthy, safe and supportive environment so that our students can be engaged and challenged learners. Learning S ...
  • How to Apply
    Annie Wright Schools offer internationally-recognized programs in an inquiry-based, nurturing environment for boys and girls aged 3 to Grade 12.  See below to follow the process specific to your child's division and grade level. Questions? For Preschool to Grade 5: Chelsea Thompson For Grades ...
  • Welcome from Admissions
    Annie Wright Schools offer internationally-recognized programs in an inquiry-based, nurturing environment for boys and girls aged 3 to Grade 12. Thank you for taking the time to explore Annie Wright Schools. We offer rich, thoughtful and inquiry-based programs that welcome students from around ...
  • Visit AWS
    The best way to experience Annie Wright Schools is to visit our beautiful campus. Submit an inquiry form to connect with our Admissions team today and schedule a tour! Can't make it to campus? Feel free to explore AWS remotely via our virtual admission events. We hope to meet you soon, whether onli ...
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
    Annie Wright Schools' small class sizes, world class faculty, excellent facilities and innovative programming require a significant investment by parents, and we honor the sacrifices of many of our families to make education a priority.  We believe that all of our students should have access t ...
  • College Counseling
    Annie Wright students can go anywhere and do anything after high school. No matter their goal - large research institution, small liberal arts college, international university, visual arts conservatory, service academy - the college counseling team is here to support them every step of the way. Pr ...
  • Arts
    At Annie Wright we believe ALL of our students can and must create — and we offer a range of opportunities for every student to practice, analyze, imagine, design and perform. Annie Wright Upper Schools uphold spaces within & beyond the school day for students to develop skills and discip ...
  • News & Events
    1 / 3 School News List of 10 news stories. Introducing New Scholarships to Inspire Curiosity and Exploration at Annie Wright Schools 1/5/2026 Presenting the 2025-2030 AWS Strategic Plan 10/1/2025 Tacoma Students Explore Local Issues and Opportunities Through Realize Tacoma Program 7/24/2025 Gena Wy ...
  • Welcome Alumni
    Annie Wright Schools take pride in our 142 year history and generations of alumni that have helped propel our institution from strength to strength. Alumni continue to play essential roles in the life of the schools. Your engagement and support are critical to preserving the many stories of our pas ...
  • Alumni Events
    Upcoming 'On the Road' Events in 2026 Calling all alumni! Director of Development, Grace Finch, is heading out On the Road and hosting alumni events in your area. So far this year, Grace has visited alumni in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Boston. Here's where you can connect in 2026: February 2 ...
  • All in for Annie
    All in for Annie As someone who benefited from an Annie Wright education, you understand the value of giving back to the institution that provided you with an outstanding education and numerous opportunities to explore your passions. By making a donation to All in For Annie, you have the power to h ...
  • Summer @ Annie Wright
    We can't wait to see you this summer! Welcome to Summer @ Annie Wright Schools, where we offer a robust line-up of Arts & Athletic camps for students from any school entering Grades 1-6 in the fall!   About the Program Weeklong sessions are available June 22 - August 7, 2026, for stude ...
  • Athletics
    Beginning in Kindergarten and through Grade 12, our exceptional and student-centered athletics staff offers a range of sports throughout the year. Go Gators! Athletics are an important component of the Annie Wright Schools experience for most students. Studies have proven that students perform bett ...
  • Athletics
    Beginning in Kindergarten, Lower School students have opportunities to participate in after-school sports, using exceptional athletic facilities right on campus. The athletics program builds skills, sportsmanship, collaboration and school spirit. It also promotes healthy habits and fun. Athletic te ...
  • Athletics
    At Annie Wright, we believe it is important for the physical, mental and emotional development of Middle School students to participate in physical activity. Our exceptional teachers and coaches encourage participation and fun through a range of options, a no-cut philosophy and four seasons of athl ...
  • Athletics
    Annie Wright Upper School teachers and coaches harbor a mentality of positivity, teamwork, inspiration, vision and goal-setting. Every Annie Wright student is a Gator, and there is a place on our teams for everyone, regardless of ability level. At the same time, we strive for excellence and set goa ...
  • Travel
    At Annie Wright Schools, we foster a culture of fearless exploration and impact-driven action among our students, nurturing their ability to effect change in the world.  Our travel programs are a cornerstone of this ethos, designed to broaden perspectives and empower students at every stage of ...
  • Programs & Services
    hot and cold lunch Meals at Annie Wright Mealtimes are joyful community events at Annie Wright. All students, faculty and staff eat lunch in the beautiful dining hall, filled with light and furnished with round oak tables and chairs. Lunch at Annie Wright is about community, learning, socializing, ...
  • Arts
    The ARTS at Annie Wright Schools are about Skills, Stories, and People. Across the disciplines of visual arts, media arts, music performance, music production, technical theatre, theatre performance, and film, we cultivate the skills of each discipline so that we can more skillfully and powerfully ...
  • Experiences
    At Annie Wright, we seek to prepare our students to be ready for courageous, independent action . Mark Twain "Don't let schooling interfere with your education." We want our students to understand themselves and their place in the world, to learn to ask good questions, to know how to apply learned ...
  • Welcome to Lower School
    Annie Wright Lower School's inquiry-based learning environment focuses on developing fundamental skills and prepares students to be inquirers, both in the classroom and the outside world. I wish you a very warm welcome as you explore what the educational journey might look like for your child at An ...
  • Arts
    At Annie Wright we believe ALL of our students can and must create — and we offer a range of opportunities for every student to practice, analyze, imagine, design and perform. Gator Creators explore the arts as part of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) program and in discipline-specific class ...
  • Learning in Action
    Annie Wright is an International Baccalaureate World School and is fully authorized to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in the Lower School. The PYP is a transdisciplinary curriculum that addresses children’s needs holistically, focusing on developing them as inquirers, both in the c ...
  • Experiences
    Part of the magic of Annie Wright Schools is what happens outside of class time.  From enriching on-campus experiences to local travel opportunities, as well as arts & athletics programming, Lower School students have plentiful time and space to pursue their passions in and out of school. ...
  • Welcome to Middle School
    Annie Wright Middle School provides students with a sound academic foundation in a supportive environment, where structure and routine are balanced with the freedom to explore and develop individually. At AWS, we intentionally celebrate the years between elementary and high school as a time when ou ...
  • Arts
    At Annie Wright we believe ALL of our students can and must create — and we offer a range of opportunities for every student to practice, analyze, imagine, design and perform. Grade 6-8 Gator Creators explore the arts as part of the Middle Years Programme (MYP) program and in discipline-speci ...
  • Learning in Action
    Annie Wright is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, fully authorized to deliver the Middle Years Programme (MYP), which aims to develop active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathize with others. The MYP provides a framework that supports students’ eme ...
  • Residential Life Overview
    Students from around the state, country and world love to live and learn at Annie Wright Schools, where they develop deep friendships that last a lifetime.  Welcome to Residential Life at Annie Wright Schools! Boarding at Annie Wright is fun, safe and educational and a lot like living in a gia ...
  • Living at Annie Wright
    Boarding Mission Statement: The intent of the AWS boarding program is to promote student wellness, academic success and character education through thoughtful mentoring, personal accountability and intentional community membership. Dorm groups The boarding population is divided into eight dorm grou ...
  • Philanthropy at AWS
    The generosity and tradition of giving in our Annie Wright Schools community enriches the experience of every student in our care. Your time, expertise and resources help us prepare students to be the leaders our world needs. Philanthropy plays a critical role in our ability to expand our reach, in ...
  • Exploring Tacoma & Beyond
    From local shopping excursions to overnight weekend trips, dorm students have plentiful opportunities to explore all Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest have to offer.  Weekend Activities In addition to school sports, clubs, and activity groups, on the weekends AWS offers a variety of intellectua ...
  • Make a Gift
    Thank you for supporting Annie Wright Schools and our students. The financial year runs July 1 to June 30, and we welcome gifts any time. To make gifts by check, cash or student account, please contact Grace Finch .  Each year, our community's generosity helps our students thrive and discover ...
  • Gator Gratitude
    Thank you for supporting Annie Wright Schools and our students. The financial year runs July 1 to June 30, and we welcome gifts any time. To make gifts by check, cash or student account, please contact Grace Finch .  Make a Gift
  • Student Support
    Annie Wright’s Middle School Student Support program is designed to meet each student’s individual needs, encourage academic and personal growth, and cultivate self-management skills that promote independence and confidence.  Middle School Learning Support Department The Middle Sch ...
  • Experiences
    Part of the magic of Annie Wright Schools is what happens outside of class time.  Through activities, community service, student council, outdoor learning opportunities, our signature journeys program and more, teachers challenge students to explore their full potential. The result is an envir ...
  • Upper School for Girls
    Annie Wright Upper School for Girls (USG) prepares students extraordinarily well for college, offering small classes, independent-minded peers and an exceptional faculty. An International Baccalaureate World School , Annie Wright has offered the rigorous Diploma Programme, considered the gold stand ...
  • Learning in Action
    Annie Wright has offered the  International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme  since 2009. Widely considered the world's most rigorous high school curriculum, IB emphasizes student inquiry, intellectual risk-taking and international mindedness, and ensures our students are well-prepare ...
  • Upper School for Boys
    Annie Wright Upper School for Boys (USB) prepares students extraordinarily well for college, offering small classes, independent-minded peers and an exceptional faculty. An International Baccalaureate World School , Annie Wright has offered the rigorous Diploma Programme, considered the gold standa ...
  • Preschool
    Preschool students at Annie Wright Schools learn through play. Teachers form intentional and respectful relationships with students and their families, foster agency, social experiences, and inclusivity all while focusing on individual student needs and safety. That’s because our teachers kno ...
  • Kindergarten
    The Kindergarten program honors the individual child and provides a stimulating and supportive learning environment. Kindergarten is a time of great change. The typical Kindergartener is expansive intellectually, enjoys developing abilities and practicing skills, and often experiences an explosion ...
  • Grade 1
    The Grade 1 program is designed to ignite a passion for learning in these imaginative and eager students in an atmosphere that both challenges and supports.  Based on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme ( PYP ), the curriculum provides a framework for inquiry-based learning ...
  • Grade 2
    For Grade 2 students, every day is filled with choices, outcomes and opportunities for growth. Based on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme ( PYP ), the curriculum provides a framework for inquiry-based learning that focuses on the development of the whole child, both in the cla ...
  • Grade 3
    The Grade 3 program is designed to nurture and capitalize on students' natural enthusiasm for learning.  Based on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme ( PYP ), the curriculum provides a framework for inquiry-based learning that focuses on the development of the whole child, ...
  • Alumni from Class of 1950-59
    News • 12/2/2020
    Marion Adelle Bosworth ’50 Jill Gawley Shotwell ’51 Carol Somers Richards ’56
  • Trustees
    News • 10/15/2020
    Germaine Korum (1984–1990) George Mills, Jr. (1984–1990)
  • Test
    News • 11/21/2013
    This is a test.
  • 100 years of the Annie Wright building
    Celebrating a Century on Tacoma Avenue In September 2024, we will celebrate the centennial anniversary of our current campus opening at 827 Tacoma Avenue North. We invite you to journey into the past with us - through the last 100 years and beyond! - by scrolling through the timeline and historical ...
  • Middle School at Annie Wright
    Annie Wright is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, fully authorized to deliver the Middle Years Programme (MYP), which aims to develop active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathize with others. AWS Middle School Beyond the Classroom Request Information Vis ...
  • From the Head of Schools
    WELCOME TO ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS! I love Annie Wright Schools. I love its strong community and decades-old traditions. I love the autumn sun shining in the leaves of the old sycamore tree below the Bamford Commons, the creak of the Great Hall floor under the weight of a high school dance, and the ex ...
  • Annual Philanthropy Report 2024-2025
    YOUR GENEROSITY IS ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS' STRENGTH Thank you to all of Annie Wright Schools' donors, supporters and volunteers. Your investments in Annie Wright Schools support excellent education, inspire teachers to dream big for their students, provide plentiful programming, and bolster this ...
  • Annual Philanthropy Report 2023-2024
    YOUR GENEROSITY IS ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS' STRENGTH Thank you to all of Annie Wright Schools' donors, supporters and volunteers. Your investments in Annie Wright Schools support excellent education, inspire teachers to dream big for their students, provide plentiful programming, and bolster this ...
  • Annual Philanthropy Report 2022-2023
    YOUR GENEROSITY IS ANNIE WRIGHT SCHOOLS' STRENGTH Thank you to all of Annie Wright Schools' donors, supporters and volunteers. Your investments in Annie Wright Schools support excellent education, inspire teachers to dream big for their students, provide plentiful programming, and bolster this ...
  • Annie Wright Schools Virtual Previews
    Attend a Preview! We invite you to connect with us remotely, hear from school leaders and learn about our programs for students exploring Preschool (age 3+) to Grade 12. Our Virtual Previews invite you to learn more about our programs and the admission process. You will learn more about the academi ...
  • History of Annie Wright Schools
    Annie Wright Schools were founded on the dreams of the Right Reverend John Adams Paddock and the hard work of Charles Barstow Wright. Paddock was appointed the first Missionary Bishop for the Episcopal Church in the Washington Territory in 1880. He moved to New Tacoma in 1881 with his wife Fannie P ...
  • learn more about tacoma scholars
    Annie Wright Schools want to invest in you . Could you be the next Tacoma Scholar? Join our next cohort of Tacoma Scholars. We are committed to supporting each student from enrollment in Grade 9 through the Scholar’s first post-college job. The 2025-2026 Tacoma Scholars Cohort has been select ...
  • Welcome to the Upper Schools
    Welcome to the Upper Schools! For students in Grades 9 through 12 who are ready to develop authentic passions and make a well-rounded education their priority, Annie Wright Upper School for Girls & Upper School for Boys offer an extraordinary and enduring educational experience. We incorporate ...
  • USB Basketball Team Heads to State
    News • 3/1/2022
    Another first in AWS history, the Upper School for Boys varsity basketball team left today for the state tournament in Yakima. The boys will take on Seattle Academy Wednesday, March 2, at 10:30 am. You can watch view the WIAA tournament bracket here .  Go Gators!
  • Saharsh V. ’26 Advances in Spelling Bee
    News • 1/28/2022
    Annie Wright Middle School's week-long Spelling Bee ended with an intense, nail-biting finish. Out of 14 students who rose to the challenge and were risk-takers, it came down to the word ‘frisure’ to crown Saharsh V. ’26 the winner! Runner-up Isaac O. ’27 helped make the cont ...
  • USG Volleyball Makes History at State Championship
    News • 11/15/2021
    Annie Wright's Upper School for Girls volleyball team finished 4th at the State Championship in Yakima on Saturday, November 13. This is the best finish that our volleyball program has ever had! Congrats to Pearl B. ’24, Kamalani E. ’23, Amelia H. ’24, Kiran H. ’23, Tara H. & ...
  • Grade 4 Launches Unit by Dissecting Sheep Brains
    News • 11/10/2021
    Grade 4 is learning that there are many factors that impact how we learn. Before they dig into the topics of memory, stress, neurological conditions, etc. students need a basic understanding of the anatomy of the brain, so they kick things off by dissecting sheep brains to provoke questions. Student ...
  • Jazzy S. ’22 Commits on National Signing Day
    News • 11/10/2021
    Congratulations to Red Tie Senior Jazzy S. ’22! Jazzy celebrating National Signing Day today, November 10, with her commitment to attend and play women's basketball for the College of Charleston . Jazzy, who earned a full-ride scholarship, signed her letter of intent today in the Kemper Gym, s ...
  • Nina Ye ’20 Earns All American
    News • 10/7/2021
    Congratulations to Blue Tie Nina Ye ’20, who’s attending and playing tennis at Pomona College, for earning All-American and ITA Fall Regional Singles Champion!
  • AWS Community is #1
    News • 10/4/2021
    We are grateful to our community for helping us achieve high marks from Niche . Annie Wright Schools were named #1 for the following: Best Boarding High School in Washington Best Private K-12 Private Schools in Washington Best High Schools for STEM in Pierce County Best Private High Schools in Pierc ...
  • Alex Kim ’22 Named National Merit Semifinalist
    News • 9/22/2021
    Congratulations to Alex Kim Red Tie ’22 for being named a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. About 1.5 million high school students enter the competition annually, with only 16,000 making it to semifinalist status. Way to go, Alex!
  • Red Tie Josh Paik Scores Big in Math Competition
    News • 6/8/2021
    Josh Paik, Red Tie ’22, recently participated in the National Math Competition, sponsored by Microsoft for KSEA (Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association). He placed first in the Seattle chapter and was awarded a $500 scholarship by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee. Josh also p ...
  • Middle School Girls Soccer Wins League Championship
    News • 5/12/2021
    Annie Wright's Middle School girls soccer team won the Middle Nisqually League Championship! Although the season was shortened, due to the pandemic, our Middle School girls dominated and we are so proud. Go Gators!
  • Katherine (Parks) George ’61
    News • 4/15/2021
    I’ve settled in a nice active senior retirement village; just about 10 minutes from my oldest daughter and family. Seems strange living in the South after so many years. I do miss the mighty mountains of the NW and the rolling wheat fields of the Palouse. 
  • Sonia Rodriguez True ’92
    News • 4/7/2021
    Sonia Rodriguez True was appointed as Yakima County Superior Court Commissioner. She is the first Latino to serve in the role. Learn more about Sonia’s work, success and how she’s impacting the Yakima community here . 
  • Meredith Bennion ’95
    News • 4/6/2021
    Nathaniel Bennion Cassels was born August 21, 2020. Nate is doing very well, he's a very happy little guy and we couldn't be more proud, or exhausted. Best thing ever! 
  • Kali Davenport, Associate
    News • 4/5/2021
    I attended Annie Wright from 1996-1999 for Grades 5-7. As you can see from the photos my car is a Lightning McQueen Dodge Charger. 
  • Mackenzie McQuery MS ’07
    News • 4/3/2021
    I've had the amazing opportunity to compete on Netflix's Sugar Rush Christmas edition. Check it out!
  • Kyra Mungia ’09
    News • 4/2/2021
    Currently serving as Deputy Director of Education for the Mayor of Oakland, Kyra was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30: Education list for 2021.  Read more about Kyra’s accomplishments and how she’s helping to build a community of belonging in Oakland here . 
  • Alumni from Class of 1960-69
    News • 12/2/2020
    Barbara (Benson) Kimbrough '60 Linda Morley ’60 Lynne (Rubush) Nickel ’60 Kathleen (Devlin) Deming ’66 Lu Rae Driskoll Maple ’66
  • Alumni from Class of 1940-49
    News • 12/2/2020
    Mary Jeanne “MJ” (Norris) Nelson ’42 Norma (Demick) Baker ’45 Janet Saxton Hill ’45 Donna Ruth Wilson-Sommer ’49MS Ida (Hansler) Wilks ’48 Barbara L. Brown ’49 Vicki Draham, Friend/Associate 1940s
  • Green Tie Interviews Grandmother for KNKX's "Take the Mic"
    News • 11/16/2020
    Green Tie Sebastian Bush '23 interviewed his grandmother, Elsa Forero, for KNKX’s Take the Mic youth voices project, featuring stories from kids and teens about life during the pandemic. The story highlights the bond formed over cooking together and even shares Elsa's recipe for Arepas Colombi ...
  • Inkwell Snags Three SNO Awards
    News • 11/5/2020
    Two articles from Inkwell , the Annie Wright Upper School news (s)Elective , have won awards for exceptional student journalism by Student Newspapers Online (SNO) . Additionally, the Inkwell website has received status as a SNO Distinguished Site, one of only 30 so far in the country. The two award- ...
  • Green Tie Featured in The New York Times
    News • 9/8/2020
    On Saturday, September 5, Green Tie Emma McCarthy was featured in a photo essay in The New York Times .  Emma, along with ten other students across the country, was interviewed about her experience as the new school year begins. A version of the article also appeared in the September 7 print ed ...
  • Senior Julianna Walker Verbally Commits to Syracuse
    News • 7/17/2020
    Yellow Tie Julianna Walker '21 has verbally committed to attend and play women's basketball and Sycracuse University . Walker, known nationally as a scoring machine , is on track to become the Washington State's all-time leading scorer.  In the 2020 basketball season Julianna led the Gator ...
  • Green Tie Sasha Zhang Releases Her First EP
    News • 6/24/2020
    'Starlight by Sasha,' an original extended play (EP) album by Sasha Zhang, Green Tie sophomore, was recently released and is available on all streaming platforms. An entirely self-initiated project, Sasha started writing the songs for her album at age 11 and at age 13 she reached out to a recording ...
  • Read. Watch. Listen.
    News • 6/11/2020
    As a part of our continued efforts to learn, listen and understand each other and, specifically, the Black experience and history in this country, AWS faculty &; staff will read, watch and listen to the articles, podcasts, books and movies featured below. Throughout summer 2020 facilitated discussio ...
  • Annie Wright Offers Virtual Previews
    News • 4/17/2020
    Embodying Annie Wright Schools’ pioneering spirit, our community has transitioned to virtual preview events for families exploring enrollment for fall 2020. We invite you to connect with us remotely, hear from school leaders and learn about our programs for boys and girls exploring Preschool ( ...
  • Ms. Hemsell Debuts Poetry with "Queen in Blue"
    News • 4/16/2020
    Ambalila Hemsell, Upper School for Girls English teacher, debuted her first volume of poetry, "Queen in Blue," in March. Publisher's Weekly reviewed her work earlier this month, saying, "Hemsell’s startling and ecstatic debut situates American citizenship and domestic life in the shifting 'who ...
  • Vidigami Features AWS Virtual Learning
    News • 3/27/2020
    The independent school photo and video sharing platform Vidigami featured Annie Wright Schools' virtual learning programs in a video today. Annie Wright uses Vidigami as way for faculty, staff, parents and students to share school-related photos in our community. The video highlights how Preschool t ...
  • Annie Wright Provides COVID-19 Information & Support
    News • 3/5/2020
    The Annie Wright Schools community is thinking of those around the world affected by the coronavirus. Here at school, we are committed in our efforts to keep our community safe and healthy, to continue with a sense of normalcy as much as possible, and to plan for scenarios, however unlikely they may ...
  • Upper School Students Qualify for AIME
    News • 2/27/2020
    Afer taking the American Mathematics Competition 10/12 , Yellow Tie Alina Chen and Red Ties Alex Kim and Joshua Paik qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) on March 11. Alex and Joshua, both sophomores, scored in the top 5% of the country. Way to go, Gators!
  • Sophomore Yaya Junior Brings Home Tennis Trophy
    News • 2/26/2020
    Red Tie Yaya Junior brought home a trophy after competing in the PNW Level 4 tournament over the weekend at Amy Yee Tennis Center in Seattle. Well done, Yaya!
  • Grade 5 Pianist Enzo Zhao Wins Gold
    News • 2/10/2020
    Grade 5 student Enzo Zhao won the gold medal for age group at the Chopin NW Festival last the weekend in Bellevue. Chopin NW is part of the Chopin Foundation of the United States, a non-profit organization that encourages young pianists to study and perform classical music, especially Chopin. Talent ...
  • Ava Filiss advances to Poetry Out Loud State Finals
    News • 2/7/2020
    Yellow Tie Ava Filiss competed in the Poetry Out Loud Regional Finals on Saturday, February 1. She won the competition and has advanced to the State Finals. The competition will take place Saturday, March 7 and Tacoma's Museum of Glass . Congratulations, Ava!
  • Claire Sagiao named WIAA Athlete of the Week
    News • 2/7/2020
    Congratulations to Green Tie Claire Sagiao for being named Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Athlete of the Week on February 5, which also happened to be National Girls and Women in Sports Day. WIAA shared, “The freshman has helped her Gators squad to an undefeated Nisqually Le ...
  • Connor Enebrad scouted and selected for premier baseball combine
    News • 2/7/2020
    Congratulations to Red Tie Connor Enebrad for being scouted and selected to participate in The New Balance Program 15 Future Star Series Pro Combine. Program 15 is one of the two premier baseball scouting and player development organizations in the world. Fewer than 1,600 amateur players from the cl ...
  • Grade 9 Soccer Players Win Washington Cup
    News • 11/25/2019
    Grade 9 students Nicholas Cefalu and Jacob Oie and their Sparta '05 soccer team won the Puget Sound Premier League State Cup Championship, the Washington Cup, on November 24 at Ravensdale Park. Congratulations Nico and Jake!
  • Inkwell Article Wins "Best of" Award
    News • 11/25/2019
    Junior Parker Briggs's in-depth Inkwell article   “Tacoma’s landmark church in crisis”  about the planned demolition of Holy Rosary Church   was published on Best of SNO , a site celebrating the best in school journalism. Fewer than one in six submitted stories get p ...
  • Online Gator Spirit Store Grand Opening
    News • 7/19/2019
    We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of our online Gator Spirit Store ! Get 25% off all orders (no minimum) through August 18 when you use code GrandOpening2019 . Show your AWS pride and go Gators!
  • Hibernate, Migrate or Adapt
    News • 3/1/2019
    During the Primary Years Programme Unit "Sharing the Planet," Prekindergarten boys and girls learned about a variety of animals and how they hibernate, migrate or adapt in order to survive during winter. Then they made handprint art for of the animals they studied, and completed the sentence, "If I ...
  • Sixth Graders Win at Destination Imagination Competition
    News • 2/25/2019
    On Saturday, February 23, the DIsco Sloth Destination Imagination team made up of Grade 6 students Eliza Hall, Leoni Pendras, Tessa Pendras and Daciana Reyna competed in the Regional Tournament. The team won in the Middle Level Scientific category and will go on to compete at the state level. Well d ...
  • Hearts, Science & 100 Days
    News • 2/22/2019
    Tuesday, February 19, was the 100th day of school for Preschool-Grade 5 students. Prekindergarten boys and girls celebrated with a science experiment. First, they learned and tested how to use a stethoscope. Next, they jumped 100 times. Finally, they listened to how our heartbeats change after jumpi ...
  • Middle Schoolers Place First at Math Competition
    News • 2/4/2019
    Alec Beck, Sophia Guerra, Caleb Hyun and Sasha Zhang participated in a regional MATHCOUNTS competition on February 2 and Mt. Baker Middle School in Auburn. The four eighth grade students won first place as a team, and Alec won first place in the individual section. The Middle Schoolers will advanced ...
  • Grade 4 Ireland Kress Heads to Divisional Climbing Competition
    News • 12/12/2018
    Ireland Kress from Grade 4 took third place representing Edgeworks Climbing gym at regionals December 8-9. Now she will head to Tigard, Oregon to compete in divisionals January 11-13. Congratulations, Ireland! 
  • Sophomore Gracie Kim Wins Fencing Tournament
    News • 8/30/2018
    Sophomore Gracie Kim won 1st place in women's foil at the Division 2 Regional Open Circuit Bladefest fencing tournament last weekend in Tacoma. The tournament hosted competitive fencers from Orange County, Northern California and Spokane.
  • First place in golf tournament for 6th grader Wilson Dicks
    News • 8/9/2018
    Wilson Dicks, rising 6th   grader, won first place at the Washington Junior Golf Association’s state tournament this summer in the 8-11 year old age division. Over the course of the three-day tournament he shot a 73-71-77 and won by seven strokes. This is Wilson’s third year making ...
  • AWS boys compete in baseball tournament
    News • 5/29/2018
    Over the holiday weekend, five Annie Wright fifth grade boys competed in the 19th Annual Art Wright Memorial Day Tournament , hosted by Seattle Elite Baseball. The five boys spanned three different competitive teams: Northwest Prospects Futures Premier 11U, the Bulldogs and New Level Extreme 11U. Do ...
  • DIsco Sloths place 6th at Global DI Tournament
    News • 5/29/2018
    The DIsco Sloths, a Destination Imagination (DI) team of Annie Wright girls, tied for 6th place out of 83 teams in the Elementary Level Fine Arts Challenge at the DI Global competition in Tennessee this weekend. The team also scored highly in the Instant Challenge portion of the competition. Well do ...
  • Soccer Players Head to Utah for Regionals
    News • 5/29/2018
    Sophomore Sophia Jeter (center midfield, front row 4th from right) and alumna Ella Salam MS'17 (defense, back row 5th from right) advanced with their Washington Premier FC Girls U16 soccer team from the state tournament on May 13 at Starfire in Tukwila with a wildcard spot in the Far West Regio ...
  • Freshman Rower Brings Home the Gold
    News • 5/2/2018
    Freshman rower Ava Lorentzen won two gold medals in the women's U17 girls' division with her squad from Vashon's Burton Beach Rowing Club at the Brentwood Regatta on Vancouver Island, BC, last weekend. The regatta, at Brentwood College School, involved 30 clubs and more than 1,600 athletes. The BBRC ...
  • Architectural Digest Names Annie Wright Most Beautiful Private School in WA
    News • 4/2/2018
    On March 29 Architectural Digest  named " The Most Beautiful Private High School in Every State in America ." Their choice for the state of Washington: Annie Wright Schools! "Built in the early 1920s, the red brick, Georgian-style campus boasts an arched portico and beautifully landscaped conte ...
  • Grades 2 & 3 Boys Compete in Basketball Tournament
    News • 3/5/2018
    The boys basketball teams from Grades 2 and 3 played in the Fircrest Junior Pro Basketball Tournament on Friday, March 2, and Saturday, March 3. Grade 3 boys brought home the second place trophy, after a close game that went into overtime.  Four boys brought home All-Star Awards for their outst ...
  • Ms Everitt Shares Tips to Create a Global Curriculum
    News • 3/2/2018
    Upper School for Girls social studies teacher Katherine Everitt recently shared her tips for creating a global curriculum with TeacherVision. TeacherVision "equips educators with certified, expertly curated teaching resources designed to help their students succeed." Ms Everitt, who also leads the M ...
  • 6th Grader Brings Home Championship in Girls U12 Soccer
    News • 1/18/2018
    Sixth grader Sophie Nguyen and her  Coach Rob Fossett's Blue Team  of Federal Way Football Club (FWFC) competed and won the girl U12 Silver Elite in 2018 Las Vegas Cup last weekend. The competition is the biggest soccer tournament in the west with 780 teams from 20 different states and sev ...
  • Grade 7 Soccer Player Travels to Arizona for Olympic Development Program Championships
    News • 1/4/2018
    Grade 7 student Jake Oie, a member of Washington’s Elite Player Development (EPD) Team, is traveling to Phoenix, Arizona, this weekend to play in the Olympic Developments Program West Championships. The EPD is a training program for Washington's most elite youth soccer players to develop the c ...
  • Grade 5 Student Plays in Florida Football Tournament
    News • 1/2/2018
    Fifth grader Raiden Calcote and the Parkland Raiders played in the Football University National Championship Tournament  in Naples Florida over winter break. The team finished seventh in the nation, playing against some good teams from Ohio, Delaware, and California. In his third year playing w ...
  • Mr Romano's design thinking article featured on TeacherVision
    News • 11/22/2017
    Joe Romano, Upper School for Boys Teacher and Library Media Specialist, wrote a design article for TeacherVision . His article, titled " Design Thinking: A Catalyst for Classroom Change ," shares powerful ways to teach students how to become thoughful, engaged problem-solvers and future leaders. Wel ...
  • AWS counselors share parenting tips about managing child stress
    News • 11/9/2017
    Annie Wright Schools' counselors Ann Dicks (Lower &; Middle School) and Nancy Waters (Upper School) recently shared parenting tips with South Sound Magazine about managing your child's stress and anxiety. You can find their recommendations - f rom limited screen time to a balanced diet - in the Nove ...
  • Upper Schooler Wins Best Junior Handler in National Dog Show
    News • 10/18/2017
    Grade 9 student Eli Connolly won Best Junior Handler at the 2017 Australian Cattle Dog Club of America Nationals at Purina Farm in Gray Summit, near St. Louis, MO. Eli, who has been competing at dog shows for several years, came out ahead of some twenty junior competitors. Congratulations Eli!
  • Middle Schooler On Pointe with Her Passion for Ballet
    News • 8/9/2017
    Rising Grade 7 student Olivia Burrington has spent this summer focusing on her passion: ballet. She began with Tacoma City Ballet's Summer Intensive, spending six hours a day and five hours a week of concentrated study in technique, choreography, performance and etiquette. Olivia, now in her 5th yea ...
  • Three AWS Boys Play Baseball for Puyallup Academy
    News • 5/15/2017
    Grade 4 students Raiden Calcote, Miles Defebaugh and Dolan Wynne have been selected to play for Northwest Prospects Academy East, based in Puyallup. The boys participated in winter training from September through February. They also play in 15 games in the Tacoma Metro League as well as four local b ...
  • Lower School Student Council Plans Spirit Week
    News • 5/4/2017
    The Lower School Student Council planned a fabulous spirit week for students in Preschool to Grade 5 this week. Tuesday was Rainbow Day, Wednesday was Sports Day, Thursday was Animal Day and Friday is School Spirit Day. Current families can see more photos on Vidigami .
  • Annie Wright Collaborates with Metro Parks for Earth Day Project
    News • 5/4/2017
    To celebrate Earth Day 2017, Annie Wright partnered with Metro Parks last week to tidy up the foliage in Garfield Park. PreK through  Grade 12 students along with faculty gathered on Friday and helped by digging, cutting, and raking invasive species along the perimeter of the field. Students fr ...
  • Sixth Grader Alec Beck Wins 1st Place at State Chess Championship
    News • 5/3/2017
    Alec Beck, Grade 6, won five out of five and took 1st place at the 2017 Washington State Scholastic Chess Tournament on April 29. Alec went in as top seed for Annie Wright Schools and stayed in his spot throughout all five games. Next up for Alec is the Super Nationals, playing in the K-6 secti ...
  • Fifth Grader Earns Silver Medal at State Judo Championships
    News • 4/26/2017
    Steven Imke, Grade 5, competed in the Washington State Judo Championships where he received a silver Medal in the 83KG weight class 11-12 year olds. This summer he will be competing in the Junior Olympics for Judo where he will be competing in the Novice, Open, and International divisions. Go, Steve ...
  • Grade 11 student Wins Regional Piano Contest
    News • 2/28/2017
    Red Tie Junoir Poplar Yang won the Washington Music Educators Association regional Solo Piano Contest last Saturday, February 25, playing Chopin's " Fantasie Impromptu ."   She competed against top pianists from large local high schools including the School of the Arts, Stadium, Bellarmine and ...
  • Ireland Kress, Grade 2, Climbs Her Way to Divisionals
    News • 1/4/2017
    Second grader Ireland Kress will represent Team Edgeworks in the USAC Bouldering Divisional Championships. She is the teams youngest climber to make it to Divisionals, and will compete in Seattle January 14 and 15 at Seattle Bouldering Project.  Go, Ireland!
  • Middle School Music Teacher Liz Gettel Releases Her 6th Studio Album
    News • 12/13/2016
    Annie Wright Middle School teacher, pianist and composer Elizabeth (Naccarato) Gettel released her 6th studio album, the rich atmospheric and playfully romantic  Souvenir d'Italia, on November 22. All compositions, except Warren &; Brooks' "That's Amore," were written by Mrs. Gettel, and her pi ...
  • 7th Grader Wins & Earns MVP at AAU Basketball Tournament
    News • 11/18/2016
    Nicholas Ferencko, seventh grader, participated in an  Amateur Athletic Union basketball tournament with his team Top Scholar Elite. The team won this tournament and Nicholas' teammates voted him tournament MVP for his great shooting. Over the course of five games, Nicholas scored 87 points, in ...
  • Three AWS Boys Play Off-Season Baseball
    News • 11/14/2016
    Three AWS fourth grade boys - Raiden Calcote, Miles Defebaugh and Dolan Wynne - are participating in the Northwest Prospects Academy's off-season 10U Baseball training. NPA offers training for student athletes who wish to improve their game. Raiden, Miles and Dolan will also play tournament baseball ...
  • Annie Wright Faculty Perform, Produce and Publish
    News • 10/10/2016
    Annie Wright faculty are practicing their crafts in the community. Film teacher Kris Crews's short film  The Snout Also Rises  screens tomorrow, October 11, at 6:45 pm and Thursday, October 13, at 2:15 pm at the Grand Cinema's Tacoma Film Festival. Music teachers Jeff Orr played ...
  • Students K-12 Shine in Sports
    News • 10/5/2016
    September athletics included cross country, volleyball, soccer, tennis, flag football, yoga, swimming and even a Lower School triathlon. Check out this one minute highlight .
  • Sen. Darneille Visits Grade 4
    News • 10/5/2016
    Senator Jeannie Darneille visited Grade 4 yesterday in the Sutton Room of the Library &; Learning Commons. She tallked about her background and role as a politician in the Washington state senate and then took questions from eager students about her favorite baseball team (The Rainiers), sponsoring ...
  • Senator Darneille Visits Grade 4
    News • 10/5/2016
    Senator Jeannie Darneille visited Grade 4 yesterday in the Sutton Room of the Library &; Learning Commons. She talked about her background and role as a politician in the Washington state senate and then took questions from eager students about her favorite baseball team (The Rainiers), sponsoring b ...
  • Middle Schooler Carson McKee Features at the Puyallup Fair
    News • 9/23/2016
    Grade 8 student Carson McKee will appear with his horse, Flip, today through Sunday at the 4-H barn in the Pierce County section of the  Washington State Fair in Puyallup. He will do showmanship each morning at 7:30 am and barrel racing this afternoon 4:30-5:30 pm.
  • Mrs. Weir's Troll Collection Features at Puyallup Fair
    News • 9/5/2016
    Annie Wright Kindergarten teacher Laura Weir's collection of troll dolls features this year at the Washington State Fair September 2-25. Visit the exhibit in the Hobby Hall and vote for it in the Viewers' Choice category.
  • Grade 5 Girl Wins Soccer Tournament with FWFC Team
    News • 8/19/2016
    Fifth grader Sophie Nguyen and her Federwal Way Football Club girls '06 Blue Team competed and won the Champions of the biggest summer soccer tournaments in the West: Delta Crossfire Challenge in Washington and Mount Hood Challenge in Oregon. Congratulations, Sophie!
  • 5th Grader Competes in US Junior Olympics
    News • 8/11/2016
    Rising fifth grader Steven Imke recently returned from the US Junior Olympics in Sacramento, California, where he ran the 4x800m relay race. Steven's team was 19th overall, Steven ran a 2:59. Well done, Steven!
  • Making History: Enrolled 500th Student
    News • 8/9/2016
    Annie Wright Schools made history today by enrolling our 500th student. This is the highest enrollment we’ve celebrated in our 132 years! We are still enrolling in select grades. Contact our admissions team to schedule a visit: admissions@aw.org or 253.272.2216.
  • Rising Fourth Grader Attends Russell Wilson Passing Academy
    News • 7/26/2016
    Rising fourth grader Raiden Calcote attended the  Russell Wilson Passing Academy  in July. Raiden worked on agility, speed, and general football skills. There was a great emphasis on team, being a good teammate, and to always compete. The  Washington Army National Guard  sponsore ...
  • Tommy Hanly, Grade 6, Breaks Middle School Track Record
    News • 5/10/2016
    Tommy Hanly, Grade 6, broke the Middle School record (Grades 6-8) for the 1600 meters in his first ever track meet in April. Hanly's time was 5:24. Way to go, Tommy!
  • Grade 3 Students Selected for All-Star Baseball Team
    News • 5/4/2016
    Grade 3 students Raiden Calcote, Keagen Lucas and Dolan Wynne were all selected for the U-9 Puyallup Cal Ripken All-Star baseball team. The team will compete in tournaments in the summer and will represent the Puyallup league at the Washington State Cal Ripken State championships in July. The winner ...
  • Grade 8 Student Julen Givelber's Soccer Team Wins State
    News • 5/3/2016
    Grade 8 center back Julen Givelber and his Washington Premier Football Club U14 soccer team beat Seattle United 3-0 in the semis and Pac-NW 2-0 in the final to win the state championship at the Starfire Complex in Tukwila last weekend. As victors of the Washington State President's Cup, Julen and hi ...
  • Grade 3 Boys Represent Gators in Puyallup Baseball League
    News • 4/28/2016
    Dolan Wynne and Raiden Calcote are representing Annie Wright Schools in the Puyallup Cal Ripken Baseball league. Dolan plays for the Rangers and Raiden plays for the Cardinals. A little friendly competition builds character in these young Gators!
  • Yellow Tie Abbey Turner Selected to Play in All State Basketball Game
    News • 4/27/2016
    Junior and Yellow Tie Abbey Turner was selected again to play in the 20th Annual Washington/North Idaho All state Girl's Basketball game on June 18 in Spokane, Washington. Only a select group of players throughout Washington and North Idaho are invited to participate in the prestigious event. Abbey ...
  • Grade 3 Boys Play Club Baseball
    News • 4/27/2016
    Raiden Calcote and Miles Defebaugh, both in Grade 3, are enjoying playing club baseball through Northwest Prospects Academy . The year-round program instructs in the fall and winter and then the team plays in the spring and summer. Catch these two gators in the summer at a field near you!
  • Fifth Grader Places 2nd in State Chess Tournament
    News • 4/27/2016
    Fifth grader Alec Beck played in the Washington Elementary State Chess Tournament on April 16 at the Tacoma Convention Center. Alec won 2nd place with 4.5 out of 5 points in the 5th grade section (151 players).  Alec has only lost one game since Grade 1 and now has one draw. He is also ranked i ...
  • Middle Schooler Connor Stockton Wins in San Diego Lacrosse Tournament
    News • 3/23/2016
    Grade 7 student Connor Stockton and the South Sound Starz  lacrosse team competed in the Battle by the Bay Tournament in San Diego, CA and won the championship. Congratulations, Connor!
  • Kahlen McConnell, Grade 8, Selected for USBOXLA Team
    News • 3/23/2016
    Grade 8 student Kahlen McConnell has been selected for the US Box Lacrosse Association team .  The USBOXLA's mission is to develop and promote youth Box lacrosse in the USA through a unified organization that provides high value services, programs and benefits to its members. Congratulations, K ...
  • Leah Palmer, Grade 2, Represents AWS at State Chinese Language & Talent Competition
    News • 3/23/2016
    On March 20, Leah Palmer, Grade 2, represented Annie Wright Schools at the 2016 Washington State Chinese Language and Talent Competition.  This year the 2016 Washington State Chinese Language and Talent competition included 424 contestants and 576 entries from 120 schools throughout Washington ...
  • Upper School Girls Bring Global Fest to AWS
    News • 3/1/2016
    Global Fest, an Upper School-wide international symposium, embodies our AWS mission to cultivate “responsible citizens for a global society” and our IB commitment to international mindedness. The theme for this inaugural year is “Beauty and the Beast: Standards of Beauty and Altern ...
  • Grade 5 Student Jacob Oie and His Soccer Team are League Champions
    News • 1/7/2016
    Grade 5 student Jacob Oie and his Washington Premier Football Club Black team were Washington Youth Soccer Regional Club League U10 Division 1 champions for fall 2015. Congratulations Jake!
  • Grade 8 Julen Givelber's Soccer Team Brings Home Championship
    News • 12/1/2015
    Annie Wright Schools' Grade 8 Julen Givelber's Washington Premier Football Club competed in and won the Las Vegas Invitational Mayor's Cup over Thanksgiving weekend. On the way to victory, Julen and his teammates defeated the Nevada state champs, tied the New Mexico state champs, and beat the Califo ...
  • Green Tie Anna Haddad Competes in State Cross Country Meet
    News • 11/9/2015
    Anna Haddad finished 43/139 with a time of 20:50 at the State Cross Country meet held in Pasco. Congrats on a great season Anna!
  • Grade 3 Student Plays on Championship Football Team
    News • 11/5/2015
     
  • Grade 11 Student Jeeyoung Kim Wins Gold in National Equestrian Competition
    News • 8/19/2015
    Grade 11 equestrian Jeeyoung Kim competed last weekend at the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs National Equestrian Competition. She earned medals in all four showjumping events she entered, including one gold, one silver and two bronzes. Congratulations Jeeyoung!
  • Historic Photograph Reveals Boys' School During First Years of Annie Wright
    News • 7/27/2015
    Recently discovered by Annie Wright staff from the Tacoma Public Library archives: Washington College secondary school, located on Tacoma Avenue South at the present site of Central School. This boys' school opened with 65 students, half of them boarders, in 1886 with an endowment of $50,000 from Ch ...
  • Grade 4 Student Steven Imke Honored at Football Camp
    News • 7/27/2015
    Rising Grade 4 student Steven Imke was recognized by the Lawyer Milloy Seahawks football camp  as the Best Defensive Back, described as “the most coachable, natural athlete” by high school, college and international football coaches. Congratulations Steven!  
  • AWS Piano Teacher Enters State Music Hall of Fame
    News • 7/15/2015
    Annie Wright piano teacher Paul Twedt was selected for the Washington State Music Teachers Association Hall of Fame. A full time teacher since 1984, he has been a member of the association for 31 years.  
  • Annie Wright's Wilson Dicks "Knows Chambers Bay Better than the Pros"
    News • 6/22/2015
    Annie Wright rising Grade 3 student, Wilson Dicks, was featured in a June 17 article in the  Seattle Times  for his experience playing on Chambers Bay, home of the 2015 U.S. Open. The golf course has received unfavorable reviews by the pros. Wilson, who has played the course over 50 times, ...
  • ED Coordinator Katelyn Hoffman Stars in Miss Julie
    News • 6/15/2015
    Our own extended day and camp coordinator Katelyn Hoffman stars in August Strindberg’s tantalizing and controversial 1888 drama Miss Julie at the New Muses Theatre Company at Dukesbay Theater July 3-19. The Theater is at 508 6th Avenue in Tacoma. Performances are at 2:00 and 8:00 pm and t ...
  • Annie Wright Golf Coach Mike Givens Wins League's Top Honors
    News • 6/15/2015
    Annie Wright Upper School Golf Coach Mike Givens won the Emerald City League's Coach of the Year and Sportsmanship Awards for girls' golf in May. Athletic directors from each school in the league vote for these two awards, the highest coaching honors in the league. Congratulations Coach Mike!
  • Yellow Tie Abbey Turner is Chosen for Elite Regional Basketball Event
    News • 6/15/2015
    Yellow Tie Class of 2017 basketball player Abbey Turner was chosen to participate in the 19th annual Washington/North Idaho All State Girl’s Basketball games on Saturday, June 20 at the Hub Sports Center in Spokane. A select group of ten elite athletes from Washington and Idaho were invited to ...
  • Annie Wright Teachers: 30 Reasons to Love Summer
    News • 6/12/2015
    This video , starring and produced by Annie Wright teachers, will make you smile! Share it on social media!
  • Grade 3 Helps Emergency Food Network
    News • 6/8/2015
    With the help of our community the third grade collected 58 jars of nut butter that were donated to the Emergency Food Network. These jars will be included in eligible elementary students' summer break bags. Thank you for joining together to help Pierce County’s kids!  
  • Gold Medal for Upper School Chorus in Vancouver Festival
    News • 5/26/2015
    The Upper School Chorus received a Gold Award at the Heritage Choral Festival in Vancouver last weekend. Adjudicator Dr. Benjamin Keller, who for years ran one of the top high school choral programs in the country at Lakes High School, gave them particularly high accolades. In addition, Yellow Tie C ...
  • Grade 4 Holds Maker Fair
    News • 4/29/2015
    Grade 4 students hosted a Maker Fair on Friday, April 24. This was the culminating event in their PYP unit of inquiry "How the World Works" in which students showcased machines they built as their final project. In this unit, students learned about the function of simple machines and how electricity ...
  • Grade 8 Student & US Representative Help Puyallup Celebrate Arbor Day
    News • 4/8/2015
    Last weekend the City of Puyallup celebrated Arbor Day and the city's 125th anniversary by planting 28 trees at Bradley Lake Park. US Representative Denny Heck, pictured here with Grade 8 student Holly Shadko, came out  to help.
  • Abbey Turner Leads the League in Scoring and Receives Basketball Honors
    News • 2/26/2015
    The Emerald City League, comprising nine 1A schools in the Seattle-Tacoma area, announced All-League teams in Basketball. Yellow Tie Class of '17 student Abbey Turner was one of only two sophomores league wide to receive this honor. She led the Gators and the entire league in scoring, averaging ...
  • Honored Guest Offers Fresh Perspective on Thanksgiving
    News • 11/24/2014
    Janelle and Mark Stokesberry from Stokesberry Farm in Olympia visited Annie Wright Schools for a special Thanksgiving Chapel on Monday, November 17. They talked to the students about their organic farming techniques and how food goes from farm to table. The Chapel Program concluded with a special gu ...
  • Annie Wright to Host Screening of PLU MediaLab Documentary on Food Waste
    News • 11/20/2014
    Annie Wright is hosting a screening and panel discussion with the student producers of the PLU MediaLab documentary "Waste Not: Breaking Down the Food Equation" tomorrow, Friday, November 21, 1:30-3:00 pm in the chapel.   This is part of the Grade 4 PYP Unit of Inquiry Sharing the Planet, ...
  • Film Teacher Kris Crews Features in Tacoma Film Festival
    News • 10/8/2014
    Upper School Film Teacher Kris Crews's documentary Fake It 'til You Make Believe , about Tacoma artist and puppeteer Jeremy Gregory, will feature at the 2014 Tacoma Film Festival at the Grand Cinema October 9-16. The festival, a celebration of independent cinema, features screenings, workshops and Q ...
  • Red Tie Kelsey Reunanen Swims to Victory
    News • 9/26/2014
    Red Tie Class of '18 student Kelsey Reunanen, swimming for Wilson High School, won the 200 IM with a time of 2:47.84 and the 100 breast with a time of 1:29.42 at her latest swim meet on September 25 against Lincoln High School. Kelsey qualifies to compete with Wilson because Annie Wright does not ha ...
  • Upper School Varsity Volleyball Has Undefeated Season Opening Jamboree
    News • 9/8/2014
    Last Saturday, September 6, the Upper School varsity volleyball team opened their season at the Emerald Ridge jamboree. They defeated the 4A schools of Franklin Pierce, Kentwood, Sumner, Spanaway Lake, Mt. Rainier, and Stadium High Schools. The team will compete again this weekend in Yakima at the a ...
  • School Opens and Students are Smiling
    News • 8/27/2014
    Annie Wright Schools welcomed students in Preschool to Grade 12 to the 2014-15 school year today. Among impressive surprises were the newly remodeled Library and Learning Commons, Mr. Sullivan's solo performance of the alma mater in chapel and lots of accomplished and energetic new teachers. Looking ...
  • Gators Baseball Team Wins League Championship
    News • 7/16/2014
    The Gators baseball team, composed almost entirely of Annie Wright 4th and 5th graders, won their championship this week, taking 1st place in the Metro Parks league. Players include Annie Wright students Ian Ball, Nicholas Cefalu, Miles Davidson, Connor Enebrad, Ari Gardner, Luka Givelber, Tommy Han ...
  • Annie Wright Students Take Europe by Storm
    News • 3/28/2014
    Middle and Upper School students, along with Middle School music teacher Liz Gettel, Middle School Director Bill Schuver, and Upper School College Counselor Zach Hansen, are touring France and Italy this week in a wonderful spring break adventure. Follow the tour blog here .
  • All-Team Honors for Basketball Gators
    News • 2/18/2014
    Red Tie Class of '14 student Paris Cal and Yellow Tie Class of '18 student Virginia Miller, both Varsity forwards, received all-league 2nd team sports awards for the 2014 Emerald City League. Congratulations to the whole team on one of the most successful seasons in Annie Wright basketball history. ...
  • Grade 11 student Shannon Bailey Wins State Bowling Championship
    News • 2/4/2014
    Green Tie Class of '15 student Shannon Bailey, playing for 3A Narrows League champion Wilson High School, won the State Bowling Championship at Narrows Plaza Bowl in University Place on Friday, February 7. She rolled a final-game score of 247 — her seaons's best — and fini ...
  • Go Hawks!
    News • 2/1/2014
    Annie Wright Schools showed their Seahawks spirit during an optional "Seahawks Civvies" day the Friday before the San Francisco game. Students have also been channeling pre-Superbowl excitement into learning. Grade 1 students, for example, completed a football glyph where students added differe ...
  • CHOMP! Middle School Pep Assembly Introduces New Gator
    News • 1/31/2014
    Our brand new mascot, CHOMP, pumped up gator spirit at the Middle School pep assembly honoring our Middle School athletic teams on Wednesday. Sporting a jersey with our new gator graphic designed by Nike, Chomp will make many appearances at athletic events this winter and spring. GO GATORS!
  • Grade 6 Student Julen Givelber 1st in U14 Division of Local 5K
    News • 12/16/2013
    Eleven-year-old Grade 6 student Julen Givelber won the under-14 division in the Santa Runs Tacoma 5K . He ran the five kilometers with an impressive 21:24. Congratulations Julen!
  • Grade 5 Student Ian Ball Features in Lakewood Playhouse Narnia Play
    News • 12/6/2013
    Grade 5 student Ian Ball will be performing in the Lakewood Playhouse production of  “Narnia – The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe” December 12-22. Families are welcome to attend this festive story for the holiday season. For more information, go to  www.lakewoodplayhous ...
  • Grade 7 Students Pilot Student Steward Conservation Project
    News • 11/21/2013
    Annie Wright 7th graders collaborated with Citizens for a Healthy Bay and Jason Lee Middle School in a student steward conservation pilot project for Commencement Bay. The goal of the program is to educate students on the importance of water quality and habitat conservation by engaging them in hands ...
  • Emerald City League Honors Six Annie Wright Upper School Students
    News • 11/18/2013
    The Emerald City League announced its Fall 2013 all-league award winners, and six Annie Wright athletes were honored. They include Tori Smith (also named MVP), Margaux Arntson, Kaley Turner, Lexi LeClech and Maria Vipond for volleyball and Juli Jugan for cross country. Congr ...
  • Rodney Kalalau Named Coach of the Year
    News • 11/15/2013
    Annie Wright varsity volleyball coach Rodney Kalalau was named 2013 Coach of the Year by The News Tribune . Rodney has taken Annie Wright teams all the way to state in the past few years. This year, for the first time in Annie Wright history, the team was ranked #1 in our division by the Washington ...
  • Blue Tie Josie Tiffany Qualifies for State Swimming Championship
    News • 11/12/2013
    Blue Tie Class of '16 student Josie Tiffany competed in a district swim meet last weekend, and her results qualified her for the Washington 2A state swimming championships. ;She qualified in the 500-yard freestyle (4th place) and the 100-yard breaststroke (5th place). She also will compete on the 20 ...
  • Volleyball Team Ranked #1
    News • 11/12/2013
    For the first time in Annie Wright history, our Upper School varsity volleyball team was ranked #1 in division 1A by the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association. Stay tuned for more news about this exciting team! Check out our press .
  • Red Tie Megan Absten named Paralympic All-American
    News • 11/12/2013
    On October 2, U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, named Red Tie Class of '14 student ; Megan Absten a 2013 U.S. Paralympics Track and Field High School All-American. Now in its fourth year, the list honors the top high school track and field athletes who have a physi ...
  • Annie Wright Boys Win Steilacoom Soccer Tournament
    News • 8/20/2013
    The Nortac Aresenal U12 team, which includes Annie Wright students Chai Kwa, ;Alex Wahmann, ;Christopher Yach and ;Sebastian LaRosa, ;won the Steilacoom 5v5 Tournament ; at Ft. Steilacoom Park on August 11.
  • Annie Wright Teachers Share Their Expertise at Google Workshop
    News • 7/18/2013
    Educational Technology Director Angela Heath and Day School Spanish Teacher Nora de Sandoval shared their expertise at the Puget Sound Education Service District's Google Day on July 17, 2013. ;Mrs. Heath presented on Google Earth and ;Señora de Sandoval presented on Google Calendar. ; Their ...
  • Annie Wright Students Fill Three of Ten Spots on Elite Travel Volleyball Team
    News • 7/12/2013
    Incoming Grade 8 student Hannah Pukis and incoming Grade 9 students Annika Cederstrand and Abbey Turner were among only ten chosen from nearly 150 qualified athletes to represent the Puget Sound Region at the USA Volleyball High Performance Championship in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, July 23-27. Anoth ...
  • Red Tie Class of '14 Student Margaux Arntson Selected for All Region Volleyball Team
    News • 5/20/2013
    On May 17, Red Tie Class of '14 student Margaux Arntson was one of only seven girls to be ;chosen from among over 4,000 in the Puget Sound ;Volleyball Region to be on the All Region Team. The players were selected ;for their volleyball performance, team work, academics, community service ;and overal ...
  • Grade 4 Student Wins Seattle International Film Festival Award
    News • 5/17/2013
    Grade 4 student Parker Briggs was one of 11 winners of the 3-Minute Masterpiece digital film contest, sponsored by The Seattle International Film Festival and The Seattle Times , in May. Parker’s short film Freddie Hits the Pipe , adapted from the 1921 children's book ; The Old Tobacco Shop , ...
  • Annie Wright Golf Coach Mike Givens is League's Coach of the Year
    News • 5/9/2013
    Annie Wright Upper School Golf Coach Mike Givens was named Coach of the Year at the final Emerald City League girls' golf tournament on May 8. In addition, three out of twelve qualifiers for the tri-district tournament are from Annie Wright: Red Tie Class of '14 Taylor Farley, Green Tie Class of '15 ...
  • Christian Poulsen Swaps Inline for Ice Skates and Wins Championship
    News • 4/18/2013
    Grade 6 student Christian Poulsen came in first place in his division at the Washington State 2013 Short Track Speed Skating Championship that was hosted by his ice speed team in Tacoma on March 31. Christian and his twin brother, William, are traveling to Salt Lake City, Utah, this July ; to train ...
  • Yearbook Video Wins National Prize from Jostens
    News • 4/9/2013
    The Annie Wright yearbook team's commercial promoting this year's yearbook placed 8th in the Jostens Facebook Commercial Contest. Congratulations yearbook staff!
  • Annie Wright Contributes to New Sustainability Curriculum and is Highlighted in Promotional Video
    News • 3/26/2013
    Upper School history teacher Bridgette McGoldrick has been working with the non-profit educational organization Facing the Future to develop a curriculum for teaching global sustainability. Now complete, the student text Exploring Global Issues: Social, Economic, and Environmental Interconnections w ...
  • Red Tie Class of '14 Student Clare Jeong Wraps Up Speedskating Season a Champion
    News • 3/19/2013
    Clare Jeong wrapped up her speedskating season in early March placing strongly in a competition in Utah. Over the course of the season she improved all her times dramatically. Currently ;the Junior (19 and under) North American Champion in the 1500 and 3000, she has ;qualified for the Olympic Trials ...
  • Grade 4 Student Vivienne Carr Wins Equestrian Championship
    News • 3/18/2013
    Vivienne and her pony Starbuck ;were named the 2013 Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) Arizona Grand Circuit Champion for the Short Stirrup Hunter division. This curcuit is six weeks long, and Vivienne's results from the two weeks she showed at HITS earned her the championship award. She was also named B ...
  • Yellow Tie Haley Parks Receives All League Basketball Honor
    News • 2/21/2013
    Yellow Tie Class of '13 student Haley Parks was one of ten players in the entire Emerald City League to be named to the All-League basketball team. ;For team sports in the Emerald City League, someone who represents all league has demonstrated strong participation, skills, ability, leadership, sport ...
  • Yearbook Staff Creates Commercial for Josten's Contest
    News • 2/13/2013
    The Annie Wright yearbook team has created a commercial promoting this year's yearbook and entered it into a Jostens Facebook Commercial Contest. To win, they need their video to get the most votes from all of you! The winner receives ;$1000, and that money will go toward the improvement of next yea ...
  • Humane Society Visits Blue Ties
    News • 1/16/2013
    Kathleen Olson, Executive Director of the Tacoma Humane Society, spoke to Blue Ties on ;January 15 as part of ;the Social Action Passion Project for 9th graders. Honored guests included 15-year-old chihuahua Nina and rescue dog Elroy, who was trained as a therapy dog. The initial meeting to form the ...
  • Green Tie Sophie Story in Beyond Crayons Art Exhibit
    News • 11/28/2012
    Last chance to visit ;the annual Beyond Crayons &; Finger Painting Exhibition, which contains three works by Green Tie Sophie Story, at the B 2 Art Gallery in Tacoma. The exhibition, which ends this Friday, features original works by youth ages 7-19 from six different countries and was supported by ...
  • Middle School Male Faculty Celebrates Movember
    News • 11/19/2012
    Half-way through and going strong for Movember, a movement for men across the world to grow mustaches to raise money for research and awareness of prostate cancer. See this great TED talk to learn more.
  • AWS shares story of excellent board/administration partnership at leadership conference
    News • 11/5/2012
    Head of Schools Christian Sullivan and Chair of the Board Bill Frame presented a panel on "The Board Chair and Head of School Partnership" at the PNAIS Institutional Leadership Conference in Seattle over the weekend. Speaking to fellow heads and board chairs, they described the elements of their str ...
  • Yellow Tie Leslie Bauska wins physics photography award
    News • 9/5/2012
    Leslie Bauska's photo "Forced Perspective" was named one of the top 100 out of more than 1,200 submissions ;in the American Association of Physics Teachers 2012 High School Photo Contest last June. The contest gives teachers and students from around the world the opportunity to explore the physics b ...
  • 6th Grader Elisabeth Connett Medals in AAU Junior Olympics
    News • 8/30/2012
    Elisabeth qualified to compete in the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics which ran concurrent with the games in ; London . ; She competed against other higher ranked athletes in three Taekwondo events and earned the gold medal in forms and silver medals in point sparring and olympic sparring. Co ...
  • Building Projects in Full Swing
    News • 7/25/2012
    When your kids return in late August, they might find themselves in wonderful new digs, from different Day School classroom locations to completely refurbished dorm rooms. Projects are running smoothly and everything will be ready for the start of school.
  • AWS Active in our Community
    News • 7/25/2012
    It may be summer, but Annie Wright Schools continue to play an active role in our local community, from sponsoring the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club's 121st Annual Pacific Northwest Open Tennis Championship to volunteering at Tacoma Boys and Girls Clubs.
  • AWS Senior Kadie Brown Makes US Women's Junior National Team
    News • 7/13/2012
    Crew champion Kadie Brown '13 (Yellow Tie) has been selected for the US Women's Junior National Team, competing at the Junior World Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, this August! Kadie will be rowing the pair, where two girls each have one oar, with no coxswain. Go Katie!
  • Heidi Bock and Luna LaBelle win Film Award
    News • 6/8/2012
    Annie Wright sophomores Heidi Bock and and Luna LaBelle won the Award of Excellence for the best Sports related film in the Northwest High School Film Festival. Their entry was selected as the top film from among 200 applicants.
  • Day School Students Support St. Leo's Food Connection
    News • 6/5/2012
    On Saturday, June 2nd, Annie Wright students (from L to R) Eleanor Tanbara, Anna Haddad, Allison Fitz, Corinna Davidson, Miles Davidson, Carissa Armijo, James Parrott, Troy Bailey, and Adam Len, accompanied by Mr. D, Lynn Parrott, Bonnie Hill, Lisa Davidson, and Colette Bailey, pedaled in the 10 mil ...
  • Eighth Grade Students Honored at Local Media Festival
    News • 6/4/2012
    8th graders Lauren Pessemier and Jessa Jeter won two awards at the Seattle Country Day School Media Fest with their short film, "5 Hours Ago", which they produced during one of the Middle School Film electives. They picked up an Audience Award and a Teacher's Choice Award for their fine efforts. For ...
  • Lower School Students Shine at Tae Kwon Do Tournament
    News • 5/31/2012
    At the recent UTA All Stars tournament, 1st grader Sofia La Rosa showed her style and won bronze in Forms. 4th graders Sebastian La Rosa and David Cho showed their AWS determination and focus. Sebastian won gold for his creative Board Breaking routine. David won gold for besting his competitors in S ...
  • AWS Student – Club Soccer Team Wins State Championship
    News • 5/15/2012
    Congratulations to AWS seventh grader Nick Vipond who helped his club soccer team, Team Washington Premier U13, win the State Championship Cup against tough rivals from Crossfire FC on May 6. During the regular season, Vipond's team won 55 out of 61 games played, lost 4 and tied twice. An impressive ...
  • Paulina Davison '14 and Olivia Steffen '15 Selected as Top Representatives in Piano Competition
    News • 5/14/2012
    Paulina Davison '14 and Olivia Steffen '15 recently competed in the Washington State Music Teachers' piano competition and were selected as the top representatives from their district. The next round of the competition will occur on June 21st in Bellingham.
  • Aquene Kimmel '14 receives GSA Student Leader of the Year award
    News • 5/1/2012
    Congratulations to sophomore Aquene Kimmel '14 who has received the GSA Student Leader of the Year award from the Washington branch of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network). Kimmel is chair of the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) council at Annie Wright Upper School. "It's not just a big deal ...
  • Day School special advertorial featured in The News Tribune, Saturday, April 28
    News • 4/26/2012
    We hope you were able to find the special advertorial insert in the Saturday, April 28, 2012 issue of Tacoma News Tribune . The pull-out section featured an eight-page special advertisement for the Annie Wright Day School. Click here to view the The News Tribune insert.
  • Emily Betts '17 competes at Washington State National Geographic Bee
    News • 4/2/2012
    Congratuations to AWS seventh grader Emily Betts for demonstrating exceptional geographic knowledge at the Washington State National Geographic Bee held at Pacific Lutheran University on March 30, 2012. Betts was tied for first place throughout the first round, but was ultimately outscored and did n ...
  • Stephenie Simmons '12 wins 3rd place in Shakespeare Competition
    News • 3/18/2012
    Stephenie Simmons' commanding performance landed her the award for 3rd place at the March 4, 2012 Shakespeare Competition, hosted by the Seattle Branch of the English-Speaking Union . Congratulations, Stephenie!
  • Fifth graders Matthew Sullivan and Joshua Oie help their club soccer team advance to Washington Champion Cup
    News • 3/17/2012
    Congratulations to AWS fifth graders Matthew Sullivan and Joshua Oie who helped bring their club soccer team, Team Washington Premier BU11 White, to victory for Div II in the Washington region. They have now qualified for Div I and will be playing in the Washington Champion Cup, which starts Saturda ...
  • Emily Betts '17 advances to state Geobee competition
    News • 3/1/2012
    Annie Wright seventh grader Emily Betts '17 has advanced to the Washington State Geobee competition, which will be held at Pacific Lutheron University on Friday, March 30, 2012 . Emily previously won first place in the Annie Wright (6-8) Geobee. She then took a written test to qualify for state. Goo ...
  • Benjamin and Andrew Lee place third in their age groups in national level fencing competition
    News • 2/28/2012
    Andrew Lee (seventh grade) and Benjamin Lee (fourth grade) each placed third in their age groups in a national-level fencing tournament in Bellevue last weekend. They are both ranked in the top contenders of the Pacific Northwest region for their age groups and weapon categories (epee for Andrew, fo ...
  • Sophomore Grace Shuman '14 wins first place in Poetry Out Loud Regional Finals, advances to state
    News • 2/13/2012
    Congratulations to AWS sophomore Grace Shuman '14 who won the Poetry Out Loud Regional Finals and, in so doing, advanced to the State Championship! She will compete against 11 other students at the Rialto Theatre in Tacoma, WA on March 10, 2012 . State champions will advance to the National Finals h ...
  • Founders' Day observed January 25, 2012
    News • 1/25/2012
    Annie Wright Founders' Day was observed on Wednesday, January 25. In keeping with a time-honored tradition, the Blue Tie senior class celebrated with a cake in which symbols predicting four lucky recipients' futures were buried. Sophia Keskey '12 found the ring (predicting the first to marry), Lydia ...
  • Head of School Leadership Opportunity
    News • 7/1/2009
    Founded in 1884, Annie Wright School is an independent, college preparatory school for boys and girls in grades preschool through eight, and a day and boarding school for girls only in grades nine through twelve. The diverse community of 476 students and 125 faculty and staff emphasizes small class ...
  • Letters from the Head of School and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
    News • 6/1/2009
    Mr. Rick Clarke and Mr. Warren Martin wrote letters to the Annie Wright community regarding the coming transition. Both are available as PDFs. Mr. Rick Clarke's letter ; Mr. Warren Martin's letter
  • Yellow Tie Cate Farrell Wins Major Girl Scout Award
    News • 11/12/2013
    Yellow Tie Class of '17 student Cate Farrell has earned the Silver Award, the second highest award in Girl Scouts. This award represents a girl’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and her community as she grows and works to improve her life and the lives of others. Cate was also recognized for ...
  • AWS commemorates 9/11 in a special way
    News • 9/11/2012
    Annie Wright Schools' division directors collaborated on a special chapel for Grades 1-12 to commemorate the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Mrs. Ball read the children's book 14 Cows for America , a true story of how Maasai people in a remote village in Kenya responded with generosity and comp ...
  • Annie Wright Yellow Tie Earns Silver at World Rowing Championships
    News • 8/21/2012
    Congratulations to senior Kadie Brown, who won a silver medal in junior pairs at the World Rowing Championships in Plodiv, Bulgaria, August 15-19, 2012. ; ; Read more: http://www.tacomaweekly.com/sports/view/brown-earns-silver-at-junior-world-championships/ http://seattletimes.com/html/highschoolspo ...
  • Presenting the 2025-2030 AWS Strategic Plan
    News • 10/1/2025
    On September 26, 2025, the Annie Wright Schools Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new strategic plan. This plan, made up of six strands, reflects months of dedicated work on behalf of the 17-member steering committee and hundreds of individual conversations with community members. The fruit o ...
  • Fall Upper School Athletics Update: Results
    News • 11/9/2023
    Upper School Athletics – Final Fall Recap Will C.’25 (Grade 11 USB): STATE CHAMPION 1A Cross Country Will becomes the first ever State Champ in USB division history. USG Volleyball: The team is headed to the State Tournament for the third consecutive season! Wish them well! Nisqually All ...
  • Realize Tacoma: AWS and Tacoma Public Schools Partner to Build a Stronger Tacoma
    News • 2/1/2023
      Central to our strategic plan is connecting AWS within the Tacoma community.  With this in mind, we are extremely excited to announce that AWS has partnered with TPS to offer Realize Tacoma, a full scholarship, residential summer program for 30 Tacoma students hosted here on the AWS camp ...
  • ALISHA WALKER ’92
    News • 1/12/2023
    I have been a Medical Assistant 2 / Care Coordinator for LifeLong Medical Care for 20 years. My daughter is in her 3rd year at St. Mary’s College, and my son is a 14 year old football player at Salesian College Preparatory High School. I started a small business about 5 years ago, and I have A ...
  • Congrats to Nisqually All-League Teams!
    News • 11/11/2022
    This season, 17 of our Upper School athletes across all four sports were selected by league coaches for Nisqually All-League Teams or Honorable Mentions. Kudos to our talented players, supportive coaches, and all those who cheered on our Fall 2022 teams this season! Check out our video highlighting ...
  • Upper School Visual Artist Laureates Showcase Their Talent
    News • 10/4/2022
    The Visual Artist Laureate program was launched in Fall 2019 an effort to support and nurture the artistic talent and vision of our Annie Wright Upper School students. Last spring, eight new Laureates were selected across both Upper School divisions to work with Tacoma-area artist mentors (see 2022 ...
  • Upcoming Arts Auditions & Sign-ups
    News • 8/31/2022
    Announcing  MS &; US auditions and production involvement  for  Seussical, Jr.   Join us in the Kemper Theater for an informational meeting on Tuesday, September 6, 4:30 - 5:30 pm (parents &; students welcome to learn more about how to be involved). Auditions run Wednesday &; Thu ...
  • New Orchestra Program Director: Dr. Anna Jensen, of Tacoma Youth Symphony Association
    News • 8/1/2022
    While it is sad to announce the departure of longtime strings instructor and orchestra director Stuart Hake, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Anna Jensen , also the Executive Director of Tacoma Youth Symphony, as the 2022-2023 AWS Orchestra Program Director. Dr. Jensen is excited to bring her experienc ...
  • Fund-A-Need Update
    News • 8/1/2022
    Crews have been busy on campus making the improvements and updates so generously funded by our Annie Wright community through our 2022 Gator Gala Fund-A-Need,  Celebrating Community: Spaces that bring us together . New A/V equipment has been installed in the Bamford Commons and Great Hall and n ...
  • 2022 Faculty & Staff Excellence Award Recipients Announced
    News • 7/15/2022
    Beverley Brown Excellence in Teaching Award: Jamie Parrott    Named for iconic art teacher Beverley Brown, the Beverley Brown Excellence in Teaching Award is given to the faculty member who most successfully challenges, motivates, and supports students.    Within an incredibly st ...
  • Kudos for Kendo Success at Bellevue Taikai Tournament
    News • 5/25/2022
    On Saturday, May 21, Josh P. ‘22, Daniel K. ‘24, and Ju-ah P. ‘25, and Jonathan Y. ‘25 participated in the 30th annual Bellevue Taikai, a U-18 kendo tournament. Congratulations to all for an incredible performance at the tournament! Jonathan Y. – 1st place in Boys 15 an ...
  • 2021-22 All-Nisqually League Basketball Honors
    News • 3/4/2022
    Upper School basketball season has come to an end at Annie Wright, but we have much to celebrate! From League MVP to First/ Second Teams &; Honorable Mentions to Coach of the Year - we are proud of every single Gator student-athlete and are already looking forward to the 2022-23 season. 2021-22 All- ...
  • Upper School Girls Shine in 2022 Scholastic Writing Awards
    News • 2/15/2022
    Three Annie Wright Upper School for Girls students did beautifully in this year’s Scholastic Writing Awards ! Sofia G. ’23 won a silver key for her short story. Diana W. ’23 won a silver key for her memoir. Olivia N. ’24 won two honorable mentions, one for poetry and one for ...
  • Seven USB Students Qualify for AIME
    News • 2/4/2022
    After taking the AMC 10/12 math test, seven Annie Wright Upper School for Boys students qualified for the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination) on February 8. This is a huge feat! It means that these students all scored at or above the cut-off for this next level of competition. Of th ...
  • Jazzy S. ’22 Named WIAA Athlete of the Week
    News • 12/16/2021
    Red Tie Jazzy S. ’22 has been named Athlete of the Week by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) for Week 14 of the 2021-2022 academic year. Jazzy "led the Annie Wright (basketball) team to two big conference victories last week by averaging 32 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4 as ...
  • Check out "The New Mom Code" by Amanda Tice, Associate Alumna
    News • 11/12/2021
    Associate alumna, Amanda Tice is publishing her first book, The New Mom Code: Shatter Expectations and Crush It at Motherhood, available on presale now . Amanda attended Annie Wright from Prekindergarten to Grade 10. She is a successful curve model who has worked the past 12 years for and with well- ...
  • Gator Athletics Weekend Recap
    News • 11/8/2021
    What a great weekend for Gator Athletics! Upper School Boys Tennis - Friday, November 5 Jacob O. ’23 placed first in singles and is headed to State in the spring. Justus H. ’24 &; Asher S. ’24 placed third in doubles. Upper School Girls Volleyball - Saturday, November 6 The Gators ...
  • Gators Go Global at PACMUN ’21
    News • 11/8/2021
    Several Annie Wright Upper School students attended the Pacific Model United Nations Conference on November 7 &; 8 in Seattle. Model UN is offered as a (s)Elective at AWS, aiming to increase students' political awareness and activism. The group participates in Model UN conferences and engages in glo ...
  • Ms. Sparrow's "IndiSoc" Class Gets Resourceful
    News • 11/5/2021
    Students in Ms. Sparrow’s Grade 8 Individuals and Societies class recently concluded their unit on Systems of Governance. As part of this unit, they spent time looking into various issues in the DPRK (North Korea), including researching defectors of the regime. One student even tracked down a ...
  • Gator Athletes Thrive Off Campus
    News • 11/1/2021
    State Swimmer Green Tie Lauren Arnold ’23 will compete with Stadium High School in the WIAA 3A State Girls Swim &; Dive Meet at King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way on November 12 and 13. Lauren will be competing in the maximum (four) events allowed - the 200 Freestyle Relay, the 400 Free ...
  • Red Tie College Week Kicks Off
    News • 10/5/2021
    It’s College Week for our Red Ties! Seniors currently have no academic classes, giving students a week devoted to submitting college applications. While canceling classes for a week may seem extreme, we believe it's humane...and strategic. Giving students dedicated time to focus on college app ...
  • Presenting the 2021-2025 AWS Strategic Plan
    News • 10/1/2021
    On September 24, 2021, the Annie Wright Schools Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new strategic plan. This plan, made up of five strands, reflects months of dedicated work on behalf of the 13-member steering committee and hundreds of individual conversations with community members. The fruit ...
  • Celebrating Susan Bauska: 31 Years of Service
    News • 7/30/2021
    Last month, as the school year came to a close, we said goodbye to one of the best! Susan Bauska retired after 31 years of incredible service at Annie Wright Schools. From educator to leader to mentor to friend, Susan touched many lives during her tenure at AWS. She will be missed, but we look forwa ...
  • 2021 Basketball Honors
    News • 7/9/2021
    The pandemic may have given us an unusually short basketball season in 2021, but that didn't stop Annie Wright student-athletes and coaches from working hard and bringing home honors. Here's a recap of awards from the 2021 season. 2021 Nisqually All-League Girls Basketball MVP: Julianna Walker ̵ ...
  • Nadine Gibson ’23 Selected for NSLI-Y Summer Program
    News • 5/10/2021
    Green Tie Nadine Gibson ’23 has been selected to receive a 2021-2022 National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarship. NSLI-Y is a program of the U.S. government through the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. American Councils for Interna ...
  • Nate Jones Earns Nisqually League Tennis Coach of the Year
    News • 3/25/2021
    Congratulations to Coach Nate Jones! He's been named the Nisqually League Tennis Coach of the Year. Here's a look back at Coach Nate with some of the Gators he's impacted over the years. Way to go, Coach! Nathan Jones, Middle School PHE Teacher &; Tennis Coach, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2016. A ...
  • AWS Mathletes Compete in AMC 10/12
    News • 3/6/2021
    In February, Annie Wright had 38 risk-taking Upper School students take the American Math Competition (AMC) 10/12 , the leading national high school mathematics contest organized by the Mathematical Association of America. Congratulations to all of our students for participating in this contest! The ...
  • USG Students Earn Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
    News • 3/5/2021
    Three Upper School for Girls students recently received Scholastic Art &; Writing Awards . Katherine Christensen Yellow Tie '21 won a Gold Key for her short story, which will go on into the national competition. Laura Barber, Upper School English Teacher shared, "I’m especially impressed by Ka ...
  • Yellow Ties Named National Merit® Scholarship Finalists
    News • 2/22/2021
    In September 2020, Annie Wright Schools shared that three Yellow Ties had been named National Merit® Scholarship Semifinalists. All three seniors have now been designated Finalists! Of more than 1.5 million entrants, approximately 15,000-16,000 students nationwide earned the Finalist distinctio ...
  • Blue Tie Named to All State Honors Concert Band
    News • 2/1/2021
    AJ Cotto-Rivera '24 auditioned for and was selected to the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) 2021 All State Honors Concert Band on Bassoon. The competitive audition process happened via an online video recording. "AJ put a lot of time into successfully preparing for this competition," sh ...
  • Annie Wright Earns High Marks from Niche
    News • 12/11/2020
    Annie Wright Schools achieved top rankings for 2021 by Niche, a company that provides reviews and statistics on U.S. colleges, K-12 schools, companies, and places to live. Some of the honors AWS received, in thanks to positive feedback and the hard work and achievements of our students and alumni co ...
  • AWS Partners with RAIN Incubator to Keep our Community Safe
    News • 12/8/2020
    Annie Wright Schools have partnered with RAIN Incubator in Tacoma to provide regular COVID-19 testing to our faculty, dorm students and student-facing staff. RAIN uses saliva-based testing, a non-invasive alternative to the nasal swab, with an efficacy that is 3-4 times more accurate than the Abbott ...
  • Blue Ties ’20 Go to College
    News • 9/22/2020
    On this first day of fall, we think of our Blue Ties ’20 as they settle in to life at college—be it in-person, online, or possibly paused due to the pandemic. Here's a look at where our most recent grads chose to go after AWS. Wherever you may be, Class of 2020, we wish you well!  W ...
  • Three Yellow Ties Named National Merit Semifinalists
    News • 9/10/2020
    Annie Wright seniors Nelson Athow, Eli Dugan and Ava Filiss have been named as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. The Yellow Ties were among only five students in Tacoma to achieve the honor.  The National Merit  Scholarship Program, established in 1955, is an academic competition f ...
  • Outdoor learning spaces critical tool in response to COVID-19
    News • 9/3/2020
    Our partners over at  AHBL Inc.  recently highlighted the advantages of outdoor learning environments, featuring Annie Wright Schools' nature-based play and learning space, in the Daily Journal of Commerce. "Outdoor spaces in educational environments can be more than just spaces to pass th ...
  • Titlow Beach Art Display Honors Local 2020 Graduates
    News • 6/18/2020
    Annie Wright Schools' Blue Ties were honored along with other South Sound high schools in an art display at Titlow Beach to commemorate 2020 graduates. Local artist John James Nelson coordinated the efforts, tasking students from more than a dozen high schools across Pierce County to decorate 3-foot ...
  • Inkwell Radio Gets Honorable Mention in NPR Contest
    News • 6/3/2020
    Inkwell Radio, the new podcasting arm of the Upper School journalism activity Inkwell, earned an honorable mention in NPR's 2020 Student Podcast Challenge for "International Students &; the COVID-19 Pandemic." In this podcast, editor-in-chief Abby Givens and print edition editor YoungSeo Jo intervie ...
  • Junior Julia Henning to Represent WA in National Journalism Conference
    News • 4/29/2020
    Junior Julia Henning has been selected to represent the state of Washington at the 2020 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference . This program, which honors Al Neuharth, founder of USA TODAY, the Freedom Forum and the Newseum, takes only one student from each state for an all-expenses ...
  • AWS Community Makes a Profound Impact
    News • 4/1/2020
    The Annie Wright community includes physicians and other medical workers, first responders, a variety of essential service providers and many others who devote themselves to the community and are currently working under perilous and stressful conditions. Other AWS families are also pulling for this ...
  • Annika Christensen Wins Second Writing Award
    News • 2/7/2020
    On February 5, Grade 11 student Katherine Christensen won a Silver Key Scholastic Writing Award in the memoir category. This is the second year in a row that Katherine has won a Scholastic award. Last year  her story "The Train Station Bathroom" won in the humor category. Katherine is part of t ...
  • Newsweek Names Annie Wright a Top STEM School
    News • 2/7/2020
    Newsweek ranked Annie Wright in the top 5% of 30,000 schools evaluated in their America's Best STEM High Schools list.  The  list of the 5,000 best Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) high schools represents the top fifth of all public, private, and charter high s ...
  • Julianna Walker Voted Girls Basketball Player of the Week
    News • 12/13/2019
    Yellow Tie Julianna Walker was voted Scorebook Live's WAFD Bank girls basketball play of the week. Julianna is in her junior year at Annie Wright and plays guard for the varisty Gators. The recognition comes after she lit up the court at the season opener against North Kitsap. Julianna scored 45 poi ...
  • Annie Wright Students Win Model UN Awards
    News • 11/25/2019
    Three Annie Wright students won awards at last weekend's Pacific Northwest Model United Nations conference  in Seattle with more than 700 delegates from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Canada.  Senior Jessica Zou was awarded best position paper for the Constitutional Convention C ...
  • Freshman Jacob Oie Earns a Place at State
    News • 10/31/2019
    Freshman tennis player Jacob Oie became the first Annie Wright Upper School boy to earn a place at a state athletic competition today. He defeated his opponent in straight sets (6-3, 8-6) today to win the district tournament with a 4-1 record. He is currently the Nisqually League #2 seed. Annie Wrig ...
  • Jose Balamchuc Wins National Award
    News • 9/12/2019
    Jose Balamchuc, the longest serving member of the kitchen staff at Annie Wright Schools, won the prestigious Flik Independent School Dining Be-A-Star Hourly Associate of the Year for 2019, a nation-wide contest for Flik employees. The company will fly him to Florida to receive his award.   The ...
  • Blue Tie Scores at Deloitte Team Tech Challenge
    News • 8/13/2019
    Alexandra Bessler, Blue Tie '20, participated in the Deloitte Team Tech Challenge July 30-August 1 at University of Washington in Seattle. She learned a lot, had fun, and won a little cash along the way. Here's what Alexandra had to say about this opportunity, "What a great experience participating ...
  • All-Schools Orchestra Concert May 15
    News • 5/13/2019
    The 14th annual All-Schools Orchestra Concert, featuring more than 100 Annie Wright students from PreK to Grade 12, will take place this Wednesday, May 15 at 7:00 pm in the Kemper Theater. Conductor of Symphony Tacoma Sarah Ioannides will visit music students tomorrow, May 14, 1:00-3:00 pm ...
  • Coach Holly places in Tacoma City Marathon & Qualifies for Boston
    News • 5/9/2019
    Holly Drown, Annie Wright Coach and Physical Education Teacher, placed first in her age group and fourth for females in the Tacoma City Marathon on May 5. Her time, 3:28:23, also qualified her for the Boston Marathon. Coach Holly joined Annie Wright in 2017. After earning her BA in sports management ...
  • Middle & Upper School Orchestras Earn Top Rating
    News • 4/25/2019
    On April 24 Annie Wright Upper and Middle School Orchestras participated in the Commencement Bay Music Educators Association String Orchestra Festival at Stadium High School. The ensembles delivered exciting performances on the Stadium Theater Stage and were well received by both audience and adjudi ...
  • Destination Imagination team does it again!
    News • 4/8/2019
    The Disco Sloths Destination Imagination team, including Grade 6 students Eliza Hall, Leoni Pendras, Tessa Pendras, and Daciana Reyna, faced stiff competition from older middle school students at the Destination Imagination State competition on March 30 in Kennewick, WA, but succeeded in placing sec ...
  • Upper School for Girls Announces Artist Laureate Program
    News • 3/27/2019
    Annie Wright Upper School for Girls, which is deeply committed to supporting and nurturing the artistic talent and vision of its students, is proud to announce its  artist laureate   program.   Via a rigorous application process, one student at each grade level is selected as an Artis ...
  • Overton siblings fill in for Mr. Sullivan as Heads for a day
    News • 3/19/2019
    Caroline (Grade 5), Henry (Grade 2) and Elizabeth (Kindergarten) Overton acted as co-Heads of Schools for the day on Monday, March 18. The Overton siblings welcomed students, discussed school policies, met with senior administrators, provided consultation on AWS advertisements, and received a guided ...
  • Grade 4 Holds Annual AWS Living Museum
    News • 3/19/2019
    Fourth grade hosted the Annual Living Museum on Tuesday, March 19. Students have learned about the neccessary skills to be an effective historian while investigating the history of Annie Wright Schools. Delving into resources including yearbooks, photos, archives, faculty, staff and alumni, students ...
  • In remembrance: Susan Manger
    News • 3/12/2019
    Susan Manger, Annie Wright teacher from 1981-1994, passed away on Thursday, March 7. Mrs. Manger (also known as Mrs. Gustavson, or Mrs. G) taught mostly in Grade 4, as well as some Middle School classes, and was a member of Annie Wright Schools'  Heritage Society . Susan came to Annie Wrig ...
  • Junior Nina Doody Serves as Senate Page in Olympia
    News • 2/19/2019
    Blue Tie junior Nina Doody recently shared her experience serving as a page for Senator Marko Liias .  " I was first intrigued to apply for the page program when I saw an email from the Upper School for Girls’ Dean, Annie Green. She had sent a email with a little bit of information about ...
  • Junior Kaitlin Tan Wins Elite Tennis Tournament
    News • 1/23/2019
    Junior Kaitlin Tan won an advanced level USTA  tennis tournament at Galbraith Tennis Center in Tacoma last weekend in both girls' 18s singles and doubles. She plowed through four singles matches and three doubles matches over the course of the weekend. The #2 seed in singles, she upset the #1 s ...
  • Upper School Writers Win Major Awards
    News • 1/21/2019
    Junior Michelle Foster’s poem “Scarecrow” was accepted for publication last week in an upcoming issue of the prestigious Louisville Review literary magazine. Her poem, about the delight of wearing a roomy, old t-shirt, with underlying themes about body image and authenticity, ...
  • Gators...explore
    News • 12/11/2018
    Annie Wright students explore the world. In Preschool their adventure may take the form of learning to swim in our on-site pool. In Upper School it may be traveling to Mexico City to meet with global entrepreneurs. At every stage, from early childhood to graduation, Gators inquire, discover, take ri ...
  • AWS U12 Soccer Players Win Local League Championship
    News • 12/10/2018
    The Girls U12 NorTac Panthers, a soccer team coached by Annie Wright parents Steve Cook and Fadil Kaliqani with seven Annie Wright students, capped off a great season yesterday by winning the Home League Championship Cup in double overtime and a 7-kick shootout! Along with the Annie Wright 5th and 6 ...
  • Students & Community Leave Their Mark on New Building
    News • 12/4/2018
    Today the final steel girder for the new Upper School for Boys building, signed by all Annie Wright students and faculty as well as several parents, trustees and community members, was winched into place. As the final girder marks a milestone in the structure and foundation of the new buil ...
  • Students & Community Leave Their Mark on New Building
    News • 12/4/2018
    Today the final steel girder for the new  Upper School for Boys  building, signed by all Annie Wright students and faculty as well as several parents, trustees and community members, was winched into place. As the final girder marks a milestone in the structure and foundation of ...
  • Gators...Inquire
    News • 12/3/2018
    Annie Wright students from Preschool to Grade 12 love to learn, and at the heart of their learning is inquiry. Asking questions, generating creative ideas, and developing solutions to real world problems are central to their experience. In IB programs throughout the school, students observe, explore ...
  • AWS highlighted by National Association of Independent Schools
    News • 11/19/2018
    National Association of Independent Schools President Donna Orem highlighted Annie Wright Schools in a November 12 article about new models of financial sustainability. The article appeared in the  Independent School  Magazine blog Independent Ideas , which explores timely and relevan ...
  • Grade 4 Student Wins Gold in International Piano Competition
    News • 10/22/2018
    Grade 4 student Enzo Zhao won a gold medal at the Seattle International Piano Festival and Competition, featuring works by Bach, in Bellevue yesterday in the Ages 9 and Under, Keyboard: Inventions (Double Works) category. Enzo won a gold medal at the same competition last year. The Festival features ...
  • First All Schools Preview of the season on October 18
    News • 10/9/2018
    Annie Wright Schools' first preview for families interested in Preschool-Grade 12 happens on Thursday, October 18. This is a great opportunity to learn about Annie Wright's coed program for children age 3 through Grade 8, and separate Upper Schools for boys and girls, offering day and boarding optio ...
  • Grade 8 Student Nadine Gibson Named to State Legislative Council
    News • 10/5/2018
    Grade 8 student Nadine Gibson was elected to the 2018-19 Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC), the formal voice for Washington youth in the state legislature. The council comprises 22 14-18 year-old students from across the state of Washington. The council has the opportunity to get i ...
  • Students Complete Inaugural Chinese Exchange
    News • 7/16/2018
    The new Chinese exchange program at Annie Wright pairs Chinese language learners with our own boarding students from China. Dometic students host Chinese students at their homes for a total of four weeks during the school year, and the Chinese students host their American sisters in China during the ...
  • AWS Places in State Golf and Track Competitions
    News • 5/29/2018
    The Upper School for Girls varsity golf team placed 2nd at the State Championship match in Spokane last week. Sophomores Abby Givens finished seventh and Nina Ye finished 4th overall. Congratulations to the entire team, which also includes  Paisley Cristobal, Minyi Jiang, Yoon Ji Kim, Kayla Mat ...
  • Upper School Chorus Gets Gold in San Francisco
    News • 5/29/2018
    The Upper School Chorus attended the San Francisco Heritage Festival last weekend and received superior ratings and a Gold Award from nationally acclaimed adjudicators.   A professional choral conductor from the Bay Area provided tips on interpretation and performance, while praising the group' ...
  • In Remembrance: Beverley Brown '41
    News • 5/4/2018
    Beverley Brown ’41, iconic teacher of English, religious studies and most notably the arts at Annie Wright Schools 1959-86, died peacefully on May 2. Known for her dedication, wit, sincerity, grace, irreverence, high standards and passion for art and travel, Bev inspired nearly three decades o ...
  • Annie Wright Boys Shine at Boy Scouts Court of Honor
    News • 4/23/2018
    Riley Comstock (Grade 8), Connor Hancock (Grade 9) and Logan Hancock (Grade 8) received various merit badges at the Spring Court of Honor for Boy Scouts Troop 172 (Sumner) on April 16. Riley advanced to Life Rank and received the following badges, awards and recognition: Order of the Arrow, Den Chie ...
  • Upper School Boys Place at First Fencing Tournament
    News • 4/16/2018
    Upper School Grade 9 boys did great in their first ever épée fencing tournament this weekend through the Metro Tacoma Fencing Club! Joey Im earned a bronze medal tying for 3rd place, Owen Satoris placed 5th, Phiip Greene took 6th and Thinh Dang came in 7th.  All four boys won at least ...
  • AWS Junior Flies High in National Math Competition
    News • 4/5/2018
    Last February several Upper School students participated in the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematical Competition (AMC). The AMC 10/12 is the nation's leading mathematics competition for high schoolers and is designed to cultivate the mathematical capabilities of the next gener ...
  • AWS Students Compete in Destination: ImagiNation
    News • 4/3/2018
    Two Destination: ImagiNation (D.I.) teams made up of Annie Wright students competed in the Washington State D.I. Team Creative Problem Solving Tournament at Eastmont Junior High in East Wenatchee on Saturday, March 24. Independent Middle Level Team Natural Selection placed fourth in the Scientific C ...
  • Upper School Orchestra Gets Gold
    News • 3/27/2018
    On March 16-17, the Upper School orchestra traveled to perform at the American String Teachers Association orchestra festival at Western Washington University in Bellingham. They received a gold ranking and placed third in their division. One adjudicator commented that he had never before heard ...
  • Stanford Freshman Virginia Miller '17 Gets 1st Place in Javelin
    News • 3/19/2018
    Last  Saturday, at her first ever college competition, Annie Wright alumna Virginia Miller '17 won the javelin competition in the final throw at the Hornet Invitational track and field meet in Sacramento. Miller got a 158-3 (48.23 m) on the first throw, leading the competition until the  f ...
  • Freshman Fencer is 2nd in National Competition
    News • 3/14/2018
    Freshman Gracie Kim won the silver medal last weekend in the Division III Women’s Foil at USA Fencing's March North American Cup in Baltimore, MD. She came in 2nd place out of 85 women. Gracie won all of her initial pool bouts and fenced seven direct elimination rounds to get to the final gold ...
  • Annie Wright Continues Comprehensive Safety Procedures
    News • 3/13/2018
    Recent news of shootings has understandably raised concerns about school safety. Annie Wright continues to have comprehensive safety protocols in place. Every fall the school's Emergency Response Program Coordinator sends a letter to parents outlining the school's emergency preparedness protocols. T ...
  • Grade 9 Student to Compete in Junior Olympics
    News • 2/13/2018
    Grade 9 student Gracie Kim will compete in  USA Fencing Junior Olympics in Memphis, Tenessee, this weekend in two events: Cadet Women’s foil (U17) and Junior Women’s foil (U19). USA Fencing is the recognized national governing body for fencing in the United States and oversees ...
  • Annie Wright Upper School Presents Guys & Dolls
    News • 1/31/2018
    Annie Wright Upper School students will perform the 1951 musical Guys &; Dolls on Friday, February 16 and Saturday, February 17 at 7:00 pm in the Kemper Theater. This classic comedy tells the story of gamblers and the missionaries that try to save them in New York City. Characters include mobsters a ...
  • Middle Schoolers Learn about Community through Service Learning Days
    News • 1/25/2018
    Last week all Middle School students participated in Service Learning Days, giving them a chance to apply the skills they have developed to a deeper understanding of issues that adversely impact individuals, communities, and our world. Students in Grade 6 experienced a two-day orientation to Service ...
  • Grade 5 Student Wins Fencing Tournament
    News • 1/23/2018
    Grade 5 student Jackson Kim won the gold medal in the Y12 men's foil regional youth fencing tournament in Portland, Oregon, last weekend. He came in first place in a group of 20 fencers from Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Northern California who competed in this qualifying tournament for the national ...
  • Annual Fund Participation Skyrockets with Gators Give
    News • 1/11/2018
    The theme for Annie Wright's Giving December Annual Fund effort was Gators Give, and our community did just that. More than 470 donors have already participated in the 2017-18 Annual Fund, and with half the year to go, the schools has already achieved 75% of its goal.  The Annual Fund ...
  • AWS Math Teacher Emily Weston Writes about Flipped Learning for EdCircuit
    News • 1/8/2018
    To honor the 10th anniversary of flipped learning, Emily Weston, Annie Wright Upper School for Girls math instructor, authored an article, Flipped Learning: 10 Years in the Making , for E dCircuit, an online collection of thought leaders in education business, practice, policy, and innovation. The a ...
  • Annie Wright to Join Nisqually League
    News • 1/2/2018
    Starting in the 2018-2019 academic year, Annie Wright Schools will move from the Emerald City League to the Nisqually League for athletic competitions. A major impetus for the move is geographical: four of the five schools are closer to Annie Wright.  "We are completely thrilled about the ...
  • Gators Give to their Communities and the World
    News • 12/20/2017
    An Annie Wright education has always emphasized giving back. Gifts to the Annual Fund over the last 130+ years have supported this effort and inspired alumnae to make a lasting difference in the world. Here are just a few examples from our latest edition of Strength  magazine. Ginny (Martin) Bu ...
  • Grade 9 Basketball Player Named State Athlete of the Week
    News • 12/18/2017
    Grade 9 basketball player Julianna Walker was named State Athlete of the Week by the Washington Interscholastic Acvitities Association for the week of December 3-9. The award honors best athletic performances of 12 student-athletes each week in the state of Washington. On December 5 the Upper School ...
  • Green Tie Anna Haddad places 16th & receives All-League Honors in XC
    News • 11/8/2017
    Congratulations to Green Tie Anna Haddad, who received Cross Country All-League Honors from the Emerald City League . In addition,  Anna received a medal for her 16 th place finish at the State Championships in Pasco this past Saturday.   There were 152 runners on the frozen cross country ...
  • AWS Community Invited to Yellow Tie's EP Launch Party
    News • 11/2/2017
    Yellow Tie Kian Russell's band, Blue Avenue, will launch their first demo EP on Saturday, November 18, 2:00-5:00 pm, at Louie G's Pizza in Fife. The  free event is open to all ages, includes a raffle and giveaways, and the band will play a set to include the songs from their EP. Visit ...
  • Annie Wright to Host Student-Led Mayoral Candidate Forum
    News • 9/27/2017
    Annie Wright Schools will host Tacoma mayoral candidates Jim Merritt and Victoria Woodards for a student-led forum followed by a brief reception on Thursday, October 12, 6:30-8:30 pm, in the Great Hall. Upper School girls from the Global Action after-school activity, who are organizing the forum, pr ...
  • Annie Wright All In at 126th PNW Open Tennis Tournament
    News • 7/21/2017
    Annie Wright Schools are proud to sponsor the 126th Annual Pacific Northwest Open Tennis Championships next week, Monday July 24-Sunday, July 30, at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. Five Annie Wright students, Olivia Andersen, Taylor Andersen, Erica Chen, Agye Mintah &; Kaitlin Tan,  and two alumni ...
  • Upper School for Boys Student Wins Battle of the Bands in Olympia
    News • 7/19/2017
    Rising Grade 9 student Kian Russell and his band Blue Avenue won the 2017 Lakefair Olympia High School Battle of the Bands competition on July 12.   This annual event, sponsored by 94.5 Roxy radio station, challenges talented youth musicians to showcase their musical, creative and entertainment ...
  • A Preschool as Unique as Your Child: Limited Spaces for 3-Year-Olds
    News • 6/7/2017
    Annie Wright Schools have limited spaces available in our Preschool program for boys &; girls. We offer full- and half-day options for students starting at age 3, along with before- and after-school care, and care through school holidays (including summer and winter breaks!). Annie Wright Preschool ...
  • Grade 6 Student Semi-Finalist in National Robotics Competition
    News • 6/5/2017
    Grade 6 student Caleb Hyun's FIRST Lego League Robotics Team is a semi-finalist for the International Global Innovation Award. He and his teammates will fly to Washington DC June 18-20 to compete for a $20,000 grand prize.   The competition showcases original and innovative solutions to re ...
  • Four Gator Athletes Place at State
    News • 6/1/2017
    Four Annie Wright Upper School spring athletes placed at State competitions, three in track &; field and one in golf. In track &; field, all three state athletes placed in the top five. Senior Virginia Miller placed 3rd in javelin, senior Annika Cederstrand placed 4th in javelin, and sophomore Anna ...
  • Chorus Gets Gold and Junior Amethyst Kettrell Wins Coveted Maestro Award
    News • 5/30/2017
    The AWS Upper School Chorus reclaimed the “Superior” (Gold) rating and award last weekend at the Heritage Choral Festival in Vancouver, BC.   Junior Amethyst Kettrell was selected out of more than 600 vocal participants to receive the coveted Maestro Award for her musicality, expres ...
  • Two Middle School Swimmers Selected to Represent the Northwest
    News • 5/22/2017
    Middle Schoolers Lauren Arnold and Pauline Deng have been selected to represent Pacific Northwest Swimming in the Western Zone Age Group Championship held this summer at the Roseville Aquatics Center in Roseville, CA, August 8-12.  Lauren and Pauline are two of 48 swimmers ages 11-14 (24 g ...
  • Grade 4 Students Explore Real-World Solutions Through Design Thinking
    News • 5/15/2017
    Grade 4 students unveiled their final projects at the Third Annual Makers Faire last Tuesday. Students showcased their design prototypes to faculty and visiting family members and explained the concept behind their inventions.   A culmination of a six-week inquiry, the project focused on the PY ...
  • Upper School Golf Team Wins League Championship
    News • 5/12/2017
    The Upper School golf team celebrated a big win this past week at the 2017 Emerald City League Golf Tournament where they tied for the championship with Forest Ridge. Freshman Abby Givens reigned champion and received All-League Honors along with fellow freshman Yoon Ji Kim.   Coach Mike Givens ...
  • Music Faculty Stuart Hake Named President-Elect of String Teachers Association
    News • 5/3/2017
    Annie Wright Orchestra and Strings Instructor Stuart Hake was  recently named President-Elect of the Washington State Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (W-ASTA). He will serve in this position for a year before becoming President of the association for two years. ASTA is a mem ...
  • Destination Imagination Team Wins State & Heads to Globals
    News • 4/6/2017
    The 'D.I.sco Sloths' Destination Imagination team, which includes Grade 4 students Lexie Crist, Eliza Hall, Tessa and Leoni Pendras, and Daciana Reyna, beat eight other teams from across the state to win their division, the elementary level science challenge, at the Washington State DI competition l ...
  • Neeves Sisters Prevail at International Ski Race
    News • 4/6/2017
    AWS third-graders Sophie and Hannah Neeves celebrated their victory at the largest ski festival in Canada last weekend. Sophie took home first place for the third year in a row while Hannah (who won this prize four years ago), finished in third place this year.   The 15 th Annual Hub Internatio ...
  • Orchestra Receives Top Rating at Festival
    News • 3/23/2017
    The Upper School orchestra performed on March 21 at Stadium High School for the regional orchestra festival and received a superior rating (I), the highest available. Comments from the adjudicators included: “Nice sound! Full and rich quality.” “The energy of the performance was ex ...
  • Grade 2 Celebrates 60-Year-Old Tradition
    News • 3/22/2017
    Grade 2 students participated in the annual Egg Drop event (a nearly 60-year-old Annie Wright tradition) this morning in the Bamford Commons. Students devoted weeks of work in class learning about physics and choosing materials and designs to create packaging to protect raw eggs. On this sunny morni ...
  • Grade 4 Hosts Living Museum of Annie Wright Schools
    News • 3/16/2017
    Grade 4 hosted the annual living museum of Annie Wright history in the Great Hall today. The students spent several weeks gathering stories from current and past faculty and staff and alumni and researching the school's history using primary resources from the school and community archives. Visitors ...
  • Aurora Hake Performs Solo With the Tacoma Youth Symphony
    News • 3/15/2017
    On March 5, 2017, Yellow Tie Aurora Hake performed as a soloist with the Tacoma Youth Symphony at the Rialto Theater giving a rendition of the Third Movement of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E Minor. She has been a member of the TYSA organization since 3rd grade and played in every level of the ...
  • AWS Holds Food Drive for Backpack Program
    News • 2/28/2017
    Annie Wright continues its partnership with the St. Leo Food Connection to collect food for The Backpack Program to ensure that all children and families have access to food over weekends and school breaks. The food drive will be held throughout the school from March 1-31. Donation boxes will be in ...
  • Gator Hoopsters Gain all Kinds of Honors
    News • 2/28/2017
    Gators excelled in basketball throughout the schools this season. The Grades 4 &; 5 boys' team won their final game in triple over time to win their league championship. Grade 5 girls, who played in a 5th/6th grade league, also won their final game 21-20 to clinch the league championship. The U ...
  • AWS Volleyball Coach Jeff Grosshans Wins National Award
    News • 2/15/2017
    Upper School Varsity Volleyball Coach Jeff Grosshans won a Positive Coaching Alliance's Double-Goal Coach® Award Presented by TeamSnap. He was one of 50 chosen from 150 finalists selected from over 2,000 nominations from throughout the United States. Coaches are evaluated on high standards for ...
  • Best Upper School Basketball Team in AWS History to Host Playoff Next Week
    News • 2/10/2017
    The most winning basketball team in Annie Wright Upper School history is hosting a playoff game on Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00 pm in the Kemper Gym.    The Varsity team has blown through the previous school record of ten wins with a current record of 14-5. Last night the Gators beat Uni ...
  • Give 'em the Old Razzle Dazzle: Annie Wright Students to Perform the Hit Musical Chicago
    News • 2/10/2017
    Annie Wright students in Grades 8-12 will perform the hit musical Chicago at 7:00 pm on Friday, February 17, and Saturday, February 18, in Annie Wright’s Kemper Center Theater.   This fast-paced classic, directed by award-winning pianist, composer and music teacher Elizabeth Gettel, showc ...
  • Three Annie Wright Athletes Celebrate National Signing Day
    News • 2/1/2017
    Three Annie Wright Upper School students have committed to college athletic programs, all in California.   Britnie Casillas will attend Pitzer College and play volleyball for Pomona Pitzer, a combination team of two of the Claremont Colleges in Division III. A setter, Britnie was named MVP of A ...
  • Grade 4 Goalie Helps Her Club Team Win Soccer Tournament
    News • 1/31/2017
    Grade 4 student Avah Snodgrass and her Washington Premier Football Club team participated in the Pac NW Winter Classic Jan 6-8 . Avah’s team won 3 and tied 1 game, which took them to championship game Sunday. The match ended in a 0-0 draw and so was followed by a shootout round to determine th ...
  • Alec Beck, Grade 6, Qualifies for State in Chess
    News • 1/23/2017
    Alec Beck. Grade 6, played at a Chess4life tournament on Saturday, January 21 . He played in the 4-6 grade section along with 62 other participants in this section. Alec won five out of five games. He's now qualified  for state which is in April. Way to go, Alec! We will be cheering you on in A ...
  • March Madness Begins in December at Annie Wright
    News • 12/5/2016
    Basketball fever is catching in Lower, Middle and Upper Schools starting this month, with competitions for Kindergarten-Grade 12. Annie Wright Lower School has 76 boys and girls in teams from Kindergarten to Grade 5. A variety of matches against local schools are scheduled for Kindergarten-Grade 3, ...
  • Upper School Theatre Activity to Perform Fêtes de la Nuit
    News • 12/1/2016
    “Paris is like an escargot… From where shall we eat it?” — Lartigue in Charles M. Mee's  Fêtes de la Nuit Annie Wright's Upper School Theatre Activity will perform Fêtes de la Nuit by Charles M. Mee, on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10 at 7:00 ...
  • Annie Wright has Record #GivingTuesday
    News • 12/1/2016
    Annie Wright's generous community and Board of Trustees stepped up to jump start the 2016-2017 Annual Fund with record donations for #GivingTuesday. 167 individual gifts came in totaling $48,780 to spark off Giving December at Annie Wright. With the dollar for dollar match from the Board o ...
  • Upper School Launches New Exchange with Lycée La Mennais in France
    News • 11/30/2016
    En garde France! Annie Wright Upper School is excited to announce its inaugural seven-week student exchange with Lycée La Mennais in Guérande, France. Less than three hours away from Paris, this fortified medieval town is renowned for its nearby salt marshes, shipbuilding and aeronautic in ...
  • Annie Wright Community Collects 1,140 pounds for Area Families in Need
    News • 11/21/2016
    The Great Thanksgiving Food Drive was the second competition for House Cup Points this school year. Last year we collected 55 bags of food, and this year we collected 83.  A complete competition bag contained: 1 canned vegetable 1 canned fruit or package of dried fruit 1 jar of peanut butter 1 ...
  • Grade 4 Athlete Excels in Wrestling & Football
    News • 11/9/2016
    Grade 4 athlete Raiden Calcote and the Parkland Raiders finished the football season as 4th grade GPSY (Greater Puget Sound Youth) football league champions. The Raiders defeated the Federal Way Hawks 12-0 at the Stadium bowl. The Raiders final record for the season was 12 wins and zero losses. The ...
  • Treat Yourself to Musical Evenings at Annie Wright
    News • 11/4/2016
    PIANIST GEOFFREY BURLESON &; STUART HAKE: NOVEMBER 7 Internationally acclaimed pianist and teacher Geoffrey Burleson, professor at Hunter College and Princeton University, will present a recital accompanied by Stuart Hake on the cello November 7 at 7:00 pm in the Great Hall. The program will feature ...
  • Two New Articles Published by Grade 1 Teacher Stephanie Whittle
    News • 10/4/2016
    Stephanie Whittle, Grade 1 teacher and mother of two Annie Wright Day School students, has published two new articles on Educents , a blog that brings educational information and resources to parents and educators.  Mrs Whittle recently shared her expert advice on Teaching Social Media Safety t ...
  • 7th Grader Competes in Summer Swim Meets
    News • 8/11/2016
    Rising seventh grader Pauline Deng competed in the Pacific Northwest Swimming Long Course Age Group Championships in July, with over 50 teams and more than 800 age 14 and under swimmers competing in this swim meet. Pauline had six individual events and four relays in this Championships meet. She sco ...
  • Grade 1 Teacher Mrs. Whittle Publishes Article on How to Preempt Back-to-School Anxiety
    News • 8/9/2016
    Grade 1 teacher and mother of two AWS Day School students Stephanie Whittle, an active blogger on educational and child-centered issues, recently published a syndicated article about how to avoid back-to-school anxiety. Read more of Mrs. Whittle's wisdom on her own blog,   Boy Mama Teacher Mama ...
  • Annie Wright Celebrates the PNW Tennis Open
    News • 7/25/2016
    The 125th annual Pacific Northwest Open Tennis Championships begin today at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club next door, and Annie Wright Schools are thrilled to sponsor and have several student competitors. The tournament begins this afternoon with the men's qualifying round and culminates with the final ...
  • Mr. Sullivan Brings the Path to US Citizenship Alive
    News • 6/6/2016
    Today in Chapel, Mr Sullivan brought the path to citizenship experience alive with a quiz comprising 20 questions from the US Citizenship Civics Test  (test your own knowledge with this link!). Using the web-based quiz software "Kahoot," students and faculty responded to the questions using lap ...
  • Grade 9 Tennis Powerhouse Agye Mintah Wins State
    News • 5/28/2016
    Grade 9 student Agye Mintah won the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 1A tennis tournament on Saturday, May 28, at the Yakima Tennis Club, to become the 2016 singles state champion. She did not drop a single game in her first three matches. In the final match, against last year's sta ...
  • Grade 12 Students Win Alliance Française Awards
    News • 5/3/2016
    Seniors Jessa Jeter and Soojin An attended a ceremony at the Alliance Française de Seattle last Thursday to receive awards for their proficiency in the French language. Awarded by the Executive Director of the Alliance Française, Marie-Ange Wood, these certificates also recognize their pas ...
  • Grade 4 Student Finn Keogh is Head of Schools for the Day
    News • 5/2/2016
    Grade 4 student Finn Keogh welcomed students, discussed school facilities and policies, met with senior administrators, looked after the Head's dog, Freddy, and made some tough decisions in his role as Head of Schools for the day. This opportunity was part of a live auction item won by his parents a ...
  • 5th Grader Lauren Arnold Takes 1st in 50 Freestyle & Qualifies for Championship Meet in CA
    News • 3/23/2016
    Lauren Arnold, Grade 5, swam in the Northwest Age Group Championships at King County Aquatic Center March 11-13. The top teams and individual swimmers from all over the NW Region wer in attendance. Lauren finished 1st in the 50 freestyle and 5th in the 100 freestyle. In the NW Region Lauren is ranke ...
  • Annie Wright Destination Imagination Students Qualify for State
    News • 3/1/2016
    Four teams of AWS students have qualified for the Washington State Destination Imagination Creative Problem Solving Finals. The AWeSome Armadillos in the Middle Level Fine Arts challenge, D.I.versity in the Elementary Improvisational challenge, the Dark Dragons in the Elementary Structural challenge ...
  • Middle & Upper School Orchestra Students Perform at Tacoma Festival
    News • 2/29/2016
    On Saturday February 27, the Commencement Bay Music Educators Association held it's annual Solo and Ensemble festival for Middle and High School musicians in Tacoma. Both the Annie Wright Schools Upper and Middle School Orchestras performed without conductor for an adjudicator and many individual st ...
  • Get Your Gator On
    News • 2/24/2016
    Annie Wright’s annual auction events, Family Night and the Gator Gala, provide opportunities for the whole community to come together to celebrate our schools and our students. All of the proceeds from these fantastically fun fundraising events help ensure that our students have the facil ...
  • Middle School Boys Win American History Essay Contest
    News • 1/21/2016
    Carson McKee (Grade 7) and Ukweli Mentee Dennis (Grade 8) have been selected as Elizabeth Forey Chapter winners in the American History Essay contest entitled: "A Colonial Family's Reaction to the Stamp Act." Both essays have been submitted to the Washington State Society of Daughters of the America ...
  • Annie Wright Students Qualify for State Competition in Business
    News • 1/14/2016
    Juniors Emmanuelle Beaurpere and Alana Muhoza qualified for the state championship today in their competition in DECA (an organization for students interested in business) at Stadium High School. Three other Annie Wright students, Juniors Katie Erickson and Safa Safeed, and Senior Leila Bensarghin, ...
  • Grade 6 Pauline Deng Takes First in 1,650 Freestyle Swim
    News • 12/15/2015
    Pauline Deng, Grade 6 student, competed in the Pacific Northwest Short Course Championships in December, swimming in the girls 11-12 years old age group. Pauline placed in the following: 1st place in 1,650 freestyle ("the Mile") 3rd in 200 butterfly 5th in 200 individual medley6th in 400 individual ...
  • AWS Kindergartener Selected for "Kids Design Glass"
    News • 12/15/2015
    Kindergartener Norah Blake was selected as the Museum of Glass " Kids Design Glass " winner in October 2015. Norah was chosen after submitting an application and drawing of her design - "Skate Mouse". She and her family watched three glass artists create her design in glass during a two-hour session ...
  • Lower Schools Students Celebrate Hour of Code in December
    News • 12/8/2015
    During the month of December in technology classes, Lower School students in Grades K-5 will participate in various activities from Hour of Code . While coding is not new to students at Annie Wright, there is excitement around participating in this  global movement reaching tens of millions of ...
  • Upper School Student Wins American Indian Film Award
    News • 11/19/2015
    Red Tie Class of '18 student Molly Bryant participated in a tribal touring program with the American Indian Film Institute last summer and was producer a 26-minute documentary, a collaboration with two other students. Their film, entitled Keep Me Alive, was chosen as a feature to be premiered a ...
  • Yellow Tie Violinist Aurora Hake Selected for All State Honors Performing Groups
    News • 11/12/2015
    The Washington Music Educators Association announced the results from their October auditions for the 2015-16 All State Honors Performing Groups. Yellow Tie violinist Aurora Hake was named as a member of the All State Chamber Orchestra, the top ensemble for string players, and will perform with the ...
  • Annie Wright Head and Students Attend Event with President Xi Jinping of China
    News • 9/22/2015
    Yesterday, President Xi Jinping of China and his wife Peng Liyuan visited Tacoma, one of several stops on a tour of the area which includes a technology forum and dinner with Bill Gates in Seattle. In Tacoma he visited Lincoln High School, and Head of Schools Christian Sullivan and 25 Annie Wright s ...
  • Lunch Never Looked So Good
    News • 9/14/2015
    We are very excited to welcome our new catering partner, Flik. From beautiful updates in the dining room to original, fresh and delicious new lunch entrees, Flik has already made a positive impact on our mealtime experience. Particularly notable this week has been the number of students staying hydr ...
  • Six Upper Schoolers Honored in International Photo Contest
    News • 7/28/2015
    Upper School science team members Cecilia Black, Annika Cederstrand, Aurora Hake, Jessie Ju, Cindy Liang and Angela Song received top 100 honors in the 2015 American Association of Physics Teachers High School Physics Photo Contest. Students were tasked with creating visual and written illustrations ...
  • Annie Wright to Host Maker Workshop for Area Teachers
    News • 7/27/2015
    Annie Wright Schools are hosting a professional development course for educators, "Create a Maker Movement in Your School," on August 13 and 14 in our maker lab in the Library &; Learning Commons. The course is part of the Puget Sound Educational Service District technology curriculum. This two-day ...
  • AWS Volleyball Players Qualify for National High Performance Program Teams
    News • 5/28/2015
    Yellow Tie Class of 2017 volleyball players Britnie Casillas and Annika Cederstrand both qualified for pre-Olympic training programs in association with Team USA.  Britnie qualified for the USAV Youth Continental Team Program, which takes only up to 33 athletes nationwide, as well as the Youth ...
  • Grade 3 Students Play Music with the Seattle Symphony
    News • 5/20/2015
    Grade 3 students started studying the music for the Link Up Seattle Symphony: The Orchestra Rocks Concert in January. Students learned how to sing the songs, compose their own music, appreciate music through listening and play the recorder. The curriculum was produced by and sent to us from Carnegie ...
  • 1920s Silent Film Featuring Annie Wright is Rediscovered
    News • 5/20/2015
    "Eyes of the Totem," a silent movie filmed around Tacoma featuring shots of Annie Wright Seminary in 1926, has been found and will be re-released in September. The film was produced by the legendary filmmaker WC Van Dyke through Weaver Studios near Titlow Beach. The addition of sound to motion pictu ...
  • Upper School Gators Advance in Track and Golf
    News • 5/20/2015
    The Upper School track team competed in bi-districts on Thursday, May 21, at at Kings High School. The 4x200 and 4x400 relays (Dani Spady, Meghan Hansen, Elle Hansen, Sofia Huboly and Annika Cederstrand) advanced, as did Meghan Hansen in the 1600m, Elle Hansen in the 800m and Annika in the high ...
  • Former AWS Board Member Theresa Pan Hosely Receives Honorary PhD for Service Leadership
    News • 5/14/2015
    Theresa Pan Hosley, Annie Wright board member 2004-2010 and mother of Jennifer Pan '04, will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Puget Sound this weekend for her service leadership in Tacoma. A Taiwanese immigrant, Theresa has been particularly active in promoting intercultural ...
  • Nicholas Ferencko and Tommy Hanly Excel in Major Basketball Tournament
    News • 5/4/2015
    Grade 5 students Nicholas Ferencko and Tommy Hanly, who play basketball for Excel Sports Academy, participated in the Best of the West AAU basketball tournament in Yakima last weekend. This tournament attracts top teams and players from the Pacific Northwest. The team had a record of 4-1 and placed ...
  • Mr. McCool is Summer Scholar for National Endowment for the Humanities Study
    News • 5/4/2015
    Upper School social studies teacher Corey McCool has been selected as a summer scholar with the National Endowment for the Humanities. The area of focus is the society, economy and culture of premodern England and Holland, 1600-1750. He will spend five weeks in London, Leiden, and Amsterda ...
  • Annie Wright Orchestras Get Top Rating at Tacoma Festival
    News • 4/26/2015
    Both the Middle School and Upper School orchestras received "Superior" ratings at the Commencement Bay Music Educators Association orchestra festival held at Mt Tahoma High School on April 16. It was a nerve-inducing setting to go on a strange stage in front of an unknown audience and perform knowin ...
  • Annual All-School Service Project Kicks off Earth Day Activities
    News • 4/22/2015
    Annie Wright's all-school service project to weed and clean up adjacent Garfield Park last Friday, April 17 kicked off Metro Parks Tacoma's week of Earth Day activities. Beautiful blue skies provided the backdrop as Annie Wright students, faculty and staff raked, clipped, hacked, pulled, chopped, ha ...
  • Juniors Get College Admissions Practice in Wright Connection
    News • 4/21/2015
    Annie Wright Schools and Charles Wright Academy co-hosted the annual “Wright Connection” for junior students and their parents on April 16 and 17. The event involves a simulation intended to teach students about the college application process, where students become admissions counselors ...
  • Class of '16 Student Gets Highest Distinction in Japanese Proficiency Test
    News • 4/17/2015
    Blue Tie Class of '16 student Felicia "Cia" Jones earned an "Ikkyu" or N1, the top ranking in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. The N1 score is often used as a prerequisite in the academic world for post-secondary teaching or research jobs, in the business world for interpretation/transla ...
  • AWS Library & Learning Commons Inaugurates New Lego Wall
    News • 4/10/2015
    Grade 2 students recently inaugurated the new Lego wall in the media lab, funded by the Annie Wright Parents' Association and built by our maintainence department, with a special message. We are very excited to have this addition as we continue to develop our design and maker spaces. The Lego wall i ...
  • AWS Students Excel in Chinese Competition
    News • 4/8/2015
    Three Annie Wright Day School students took part in the Washington State Chinese Language and Talent Competition on March 22. Grade 1 student Leah Palmer won second place in the K-2, non-native speaker, individual singing category, Grade 3 student Cece Swain won third place in the Grades 3-5 ta ...
  • Middle School Student Julen Givelber Qualifies for State Geography Bee
    News • 3/6/2015
    Grade 7 student Julen Givelber, having won the Annie Wright Middle School Geography Bee in January, was one of the 100 top-scoring students on a qualifying test for the state competition on Friday, March 27, at Pacific Lutheran University. Under the auspices of the National Geographic Society, the s ...
  • Grade 3 Students Eat Lunch with the Mayor
    News • 3/2/2015
    Three third graders were invited to lunch with Tacoma's mayor, Marilyn Strickland, last week. These students were the winners of a vegetable-eating contest. Every student had a punch card that was marked each time they ate a serving of vegetables at school. Once the card had 10 punches, it was submi ...
  • Middle and Upper School Musicians Get Top Marks in Music Festival
    News • 3/2/2015
    The Middle School and Upper School orchestras participated in the Solo and Ensemble Music Festival at Giaudrone Middle School in Tacoma on February 28. The students performed both in groups and as soloists in ten minutes audition times and were heard by music educator judges who graded them and then ...
  • Ebola Health Worker and Time Magazine Person of the Year to visit Annie Wright
    News • 2/9/2015
    On March 2, Annie Wright will welcome one of Time  magazine’s Persons of the Year (2014), Matthew Rollosson. Rollosson was part of collective group of international health workers battling the deadly ebola epidemic overseas in West Africa.   Though it was hard to leave his job at the ...
  • Middle Schooler Josh Oie Dominates 5K
    News • 1/12/2015
    Grade 8 student Joshua Oie ran the Santa Runs Tacoma 5K last month, finishing first out of 20 in his age group with a time of 19:41, averaging a 6:21 minute mile. Equally if not more impressive, he came in 9th overall out of 493 runners. Following close behind was Karen Oie, Josh's mom, who was firs ...
  • Mr. Orr to Perform in Second City Chamber Series This Sunday
    News • 1/7/2015
    This Sunday, January 11, Annie Wright music teacher Jeff Orr will perform at First Lutheran Church in Tacoma as part of the Second City Chamber Spotlight Series called “Euphonious Tones.”   Mr. Orr will be playing the piano alongside Jason Gilliam on the euphonium, a brass instrumen ...
  • AWS Showcases Maker Movement at NWAIS Conference
    News • 12/30/2014
    Annie Wright faculty members exchanged maker movement ideas, technologies and practices with other teachers at the 2014 NWAIS Fall Educators Conference Maker Play Space at Oregon Episcopal School in Portland in November.   The theme of this year’s conference was “Create Play Wonder. ...
  • Gators Receive All-League Honors in Volleyball and Soccer
    News • 11/17/2014
    Last week the Emerald City League, comprising nine 1A schools in the Seattle-Tacoma area, announced the All-League Teams in Volleyball and Girls Soccer for Fall 2014. Three of seven girls named to the All-League Volleyball first team are Annie Wright Gators. They are seniors Lexi LeClech, Maria Vipo ...
  • All-School Theater Performance Explores Social Justice
    News • 11/14/2014
    Lower, Middle and Upper School performers are uniting for a theatre festival focusing on the concept of social justice. The festival will run for one day only at 1:30 pm (Grade 5 only) and 7:00 pm (All-school production) today, Friday, November 14. The evening performance runs approximatel ...
  • Upper School Art Teacher John Weir Becomes Official IB Examiner
    News • 11/14/2014
    Upper School art teacher John Weir was appointed today as an official examiner for Visual Arts by the International Baccalaureate organization. Examiners play an important role in maintaining the quality of assessment for which the IB is known worldwide. John will have the opportunity to gain an ins ...
  • Grade 5 Students Tommy Hanly and Ian Steffan are Greater Puget Sound Youth Football Champions
    News • 11/6/2014
    Grade 5 students Tommy Hanly (#23) and Ian Steffan (#50) played for the 5th grade Championship Little Lions Football Team (Bellarmine) which was undefeated in the Greater Puget Sound Youth Football league. The league includes feeder teams for local high schools including Wilson, Stadium, Lincoln, Fe ...
  • Annie Wright Hosts Math Festival for Grades 3-8
    News • 10/27/2014
    Annie Wright Schools are excited to host the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival for students in Grades 3-8 from any school on Sunday, November 2, 2014, 1:00-4:00 pm.  The event features a collaborative, non-competitive atmosphere where students can explore the joys and power of mathematics and ...
  • Day School Gators Shine in Cross Country
    News • 10/14/2014
    Annie Wright Lower School had 51 dedicated cross country runners, ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 5. These runners came to every practice and meet with an abundance of energy and excitement as they trained hard on building their cardovasicular endurance and enjoyed the freedom of running with fri ...
  • Annie Wright to Create Visionary Strategic Plan
    News • 9/22/2014
    Annie Wright will host a diverse group of  faculty, administration, trustees, parents, alumni, and community members for a full-day of strategic envisioning of the next steps for the Schools. The end result of this conference will, we hope, be recommendations of several significant, aspirationa ...
  • Grade 8 Student Anni Liu Performs at Tacoma Moon Festival
    News • 9/15/2014
    Last Saturday, September 13, Annie Wright students and faculty took part in the Moon Festival, celebrating Asian cultures in Tacoma's Chinese Reconciliation Park.  Among performers was Grade 8 student Anni Liu, who moved to Tacoma from Beijing two years ago so she could attend Annie Wright ...
  • Middle School Band Fist of Fire to Rock Washington State Fair
    News • 9/8/2014
    Grade 8 students Josie Trueblood (guitar), Annika Huffines (bass and vocals) and James Parrott (drums), aka Fist of Fire, will perform at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup this Wednesday, September 10. The students formed the band in Grade 3 and specialize in rock from the 70s to today. Major in ...
  • Class of '16 Student Angela Song Wins International Photo Prize
    News • 8/7/2014
    Blue Tie Class of '16 student Angela Song was named a winner in the American Association of Physics Teachers 2014 High School Physics Photo Contest at the end of July in Minneapolis, Minnesota.     This contest provides students an opportunity to learn about the physics behind natural and ...
  • Upper School Athletes Qualify for Tri-District and State Tournaments
    News • 5/19/2014
    Annie Wright athletes qualified for Tri-Districts in all three spring sports: tennis, golf and track.   Green Tie Class of '15 student Samantha Weeks took home All-League honors in tennis, finishing 3 rd in the singles bracket. She went on to place an impressive 3rd in the State Tournament on M ...
  • Annie Wright Installs a New Bike Rack
    News • 5/14/2014
    Annie Wright installed a new bike rack on April 30 to encourage students, faculty and staff to use alternate modes of transportation to school each day. The bike rack is one of many new initiatives put in place by the Annie Wright Green Team, a group of dedicated staff and faculty committe ...
  • Upper School Students Receive Varsity Letters in Community Service
    News • 5/13/2014
    Each year, United Way of Pierce County partners with Pierce County schools to recognize and reward students for their volunteer efforts in the community.    Students who volunteer 145 hours or more of service in a year can earn a school Varsity Letter, the same as those earned by athletes ...
  • Grade 7 Student Receives President's Volunteer Award
    News • 5/12/2014
    Annie Wright Schools had the pleasure of presenting 7 th grader Holly Shadko with the President’s Volunteer Service Award on May 5 during all school chapel.   The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals who have achieved the required number of hours of servic ...
  • AWS Establishes Go Gator Commuter Team for National Bike Month Challenge
    News • 5/7/2014
    May is National Bike Month. Time to pull the bike out of the back of the garage and get the gears shifting and the wheels spinning.   Faculty and staff from Charles Wright Academy challenged Annie Wright to see who can log the highest number of alternate commutes during the month of May. We hav ...
  • Grade 3 Student Wins State Chess Championship!
    News • 4/14/2014
    Alec Beck won 1st place in the Grade 3 division of the Washington State Elementary Chess Championship with a record of 5-0. There were 210 students in his division and 1,200 overall, K-6. Alec also played in the National High School Chess Championship in San Diego April 4-6 and placed 29th ...
  • Annie Wright Hosts Regional DI Tournament and Two of our Teams Place First
    News • 3/3/2014
    Annie Wright hosted the 2014 Rainier Regional D.I. (Creative Problem Solving) Tournament this Saturday. Two Annie Wright teams placed First in Division &; Challenge, and have been invited to the Washington State Destination:ImagiNation Creative Problem Solving Tournament. It will be held the weekend ...
  • Grade 2 Student Steven Imke Competes at State Wrestling Championship
    News • 2/24/2014
    Grade 2 student Steven Imke, a first year wrestler, competed at the Washington State Wrestling Association folkstyle state championships last weekend at the Tacoma Dome. He wrestled strongly but conceded in the first round to the Oregon State champion.  Though he did not place this year, he app ...
  • Happy 130th Birthday Annie Wright!
    News • 1/17/2014
    Annie Wright turns 130 this year, and the Schools celebrated at Founder's Day on Friday, January 17. Rather than commemorating the actual date the school was established, Founder's Day honors the birthday of Annie Wright founder John Adams Paddock, Bishop of Western Washington. Celebrations included ...
  • Children's Folktale Author Visits Pre-K
    News • 11/22/2013
    Pre-K was visited on ;Thursday ;by a wonderful guest storyteller, children's folktale book author Dr. Margaret Read MacDonald, who retold three of her folktales to both Pre-K classes. Her stories were very engaging, and all the students had a wonderful time. Dr. MacDonald is Pre-K student Matlida's ...
  • Who Says Science Isn't Glamorous? Yellow Tie Aurora Hake Gets the Red Carpet Treatment in LA
    News • 11/11/2013
    As a winner of a nation-wide contest for girls in Grades 9-12 to explore the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields, ;Yellow Tie Class of '17 student ; Aurora Hake ;traveled to California for a week of VIP treatment, excitement, adventure and mentorship. Highlights included d ...
  • Margaux Arnston and Volleyball Gators Move From Strength to Strength
    News • 11/12/2013
    Red Tie Class of '14 student Margaux Arnston was named WIAA State Athlete of the Week for the week of October 6-12. The WIAA honors twelve varsity athletes, a male and a female from each of the six classifications, ;who exhibited an outstanding performance for the previous week. In addition, Margaux ...
  • Yellow Tie Aurora Hake is finalist in national STEM contest
    News • 10/27/2013
    Yellow Tie Class of '17 student Aurora Hake is one of ten winners in a nation-wide contest for girls in Grades 9-12 to explore the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields. The rigorous application process for this program, ;called ; Marvel's Thor: The Dark World ;Ultimate Ment ...
  • AWS Sponsors Film and Discussion with Local Politicians
    News • 10/23/2013
    Annie Wright sponsored the documentary Raising Ms. President and post-film discussion yesterday as part of the Schools' Night Out @ The Grand program. The film explored the reasons why many fewer women run for political office than men. The film was introduced by former state representative and Anni ...
  • Middle School Band Fist of Fire to Play at the Swiss
    News • 10/15/2013
    The Annie Wright Grade 7 band Fist of Fire (Josie Trueblood, Annika Huffines and James Parrott) is playing an all ages show at the Swiss this Sunday, October 20 at 3:00 pm. The show ; includes other kid bands and is ; sponsored by the Puget Sound Music for Youth Association. The Swiss serves great f ...
  • Red Tie Class of '14 Athlete Megan Absten Selected for US Paralympic Team
    News • 6/18/2013
    Red Tie Class of '14 athlete Megan Absten has been selected to compete for her country in the 2013 World Paralympic Games. Megan competed at the US Paralympics National Championship in June, earning Silver medals for the 100m and 200m. ;Based on her success, she was selected to be on Team USA at the ...
  • Yellow Tie Class of '13 Rower Kadie Brown Wins National Championship
    News • 6/11/2013
    As part of t he Commencement Bay Rowing Club's Women's Youth 4+ (four with coxswain) team, Kadie Brown claimed the championship title at the US Rowing Youth National Championships held in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, June 8 -10, with a first place finish time of 7:22.1. As part of the club's Women's Youth ...
  • Upper School Chorus Gets Gold Rating at Vancouver Music Festival
    News • 6/3/2013
    The Upper School Chorus was awarded a Gold rating at the Heritage Music Festival in Vancouver, BC over Memorial Day Weekend. This is the third year in a row that the Chorus has received a Superior rating from the panel of adjudicators. While participating in the Festival, the 25 members of the ;grou ...
  • Señora de Sandoval to Chair world language teaching conference at PLU
    News • 5/10/2013
    Our own Day School Spanish teacher, Nora de Sandoval, has been chosen to chair the annual Washington Association for Language Teaching (WAFLT) ;Spring Regional Conference, at Pacific Lutheran University, on ;February 22, 2014. Founded in 1964, the association serves a membership of several hundred e ...
  • Yellow Tie Danele Alampay Wins Rotary Scholarship
    News • 5/9/2013
    The Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 has awarded Yellow Tie Class of '13 student Danele Alampay a $1,000 scholarship. The Rotary Scholarship Committee selects the scholarship recipients after reviewing their applications and interviewing the students; only two nominees per school are considered. The scholar ...
  • Middle School WPFC Soccer Players Win State Finals
    News • 5/7/2013
    Three Annie Wright Middle School students, Josh Oie in Grade 6, Christopher Cho in Grade 7, and Nick Vipond in Grade 8, played for Washington Premier Football Club teams that advanced to the state championships last weekend. The competition, Virginia Mason US Youth Soccer Washington State Championsh ...
  • Grade 3 Learns about Global Climates through Growing Tulips
    News • 4/11/2013
    Grade 3 students in Annie Wright Day School have tracked the greening of spring in the Northern Hemisphere by planting a tulip test garden as part of an international program called Journey North . Following the protocol of planting "Red Emperor" tulip bulbs last fall, our young scientists watched t ...
  • The Grand Cinema Brings Back Girl Rising
    News • 4/11/2013
    Back in March, Annie Wright Schools brought the extraordinary new film Girl Rising to campus, then partnered with The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation to bring it to The Grand Cinema. That screening quickly sold out, and now The Grand is bringing back the film again, on May 2 at 2:15, 6:15 and 8: ...
  • Grade 6 Students Meet Wonder Author R. J. Palacio
    News • 4/8/2013
    This year's Tacoma Reads Together book was Wonder , the same book Mr. Gardner assigned for summer reading between Grades 5 and 6. Annie Wright's Grade 6 has been using Wonder ;in discussions and essays this year. On Saturday, April 6, Grade 6 students Julia Hanly , Arya Kukreja and Holly Shadko had ...
  • Learning Specialist Dianne Matthaei Gets Published
    News • 3/29/2013
    Upper School Differential Learning Specialist Dianne Matthaei has turned her thesis into a chapter of a new book about nonverbal learning disorders called Treating NVLD in Children: Professional Collaboratons for Positive Outcomes . The chapter, ; "The Educational Therapist and Mathematics," describ ...
  • Blue Tie Class of '16 Student Ariel Poulsen Helps Launch Beads of Courage Program at Mary Bridge
    News • 3/29/2013
    Mary Bridge Children's Hospital asked Grade 9 student Ariel Poulsen to participate in their launch of the international program Beads Of Courage. Participants in the program, who are children with serious illnesses, receive colored beads representing milestones, challenging medical procedures and ac ...
  • Science Team Triumphs at South Sound Fair
    News • 3/25/2013
    Annie Wright Upper School science team emerged triumphant from the South Sound Regional Science Fair, held Saturday, March 23, at Pacific Lutheran University. Though the school has only had a science team for two years, we brought home seven awards. ; Red tie class of '14 student ; Tessa Thurman won ...
  • AWS Brings Remarkable Film Girl Rising to The Grand
    News • 3/19/2013
    Annie Wright is partnering with The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation to bring the remarkable new film Girl Rising to The Grand Cinema on Wednesday, March 27, at 7:00 pm. The film, about the power of education to change the world, features nine extraordinary girls from nine developing countries wh ...
  • Three Upper School Students Win Art Honors
    News • 3/3/2013
    Red Tie ; Amanda Marsten and Yellow Tie ; Soohyun "Lianne" Ahn have won awards in the 2013 Regional High School Art Show sponsored by Puget Sound Educational Service District. ;Amanda will receive a Board of Director's Award ;for her work ;"Sail Your Sea." This honor includes a cash award to purchas ...
  • Upper School Students Excel at Local Voice Competition
    News • 3/3/2013
    Five Annie Wright Upper School students competed in our local Solo and Ensemble Competition at Stadium High School on Saturday, March 2. Each girl sang beautifully. Addison Francis, Irene Kim, Panchali Majumdar, and Sara Pelster all ;received a rating of Excellent. All four sang a song from the clas ...
  • Ironman Triathletes Visit Grade 2
    News • 2/21/2013
    On Tuesday, February 19, Ironman triathletes David Cook (an AWS alumnus) and Julie Glade visited the Grade 2 Gators. The students were inspired by their message about the importance of having a healthy mind, body and spirit, dreaming big and setting goals. They learned that they do not fail if they ...
  • Red Tie Garnet Burk Wins Poetry Out Loud Competition
    News • 2/11/2013
    Red Tie Class of '14 student Garnet Burk won the regional competition for Poetry Out Loud , a national contest in which students recite two poems. After her success last Saturday, Garnet moves on to compete against 12 other regional winners in the state Poetry Out Loud competition on March 9. Garnet ...
  • Gatorbots Shine at Competition
    News • 2/5/2013
    The new AWS Robotics team, the Gatorbots, went to the Regional First Lego League tournament on Sunday, January 20, in Olympia. The theme this year was "Senior Solutions" which asked how technology could improve the life of senior citizens. Events included explaining robot design, presenting their "S ...
  • Six AWS students perform at Middle School Honors Festival
    News • 2/5/2013
    On January 26, six AWS Middle School students participated in the Commencement Bay Music Educators Association (COMBMEA) Middle School Honors Festival held at Stadium High School. For the event, a full band, chorus and orchestra were created through teacher recommendations from the Tacoma and Penins ...
  • Red Tie Clare Jeong Skates to First Place
    News • 1/30/2013
    Not all winter sports champions train at Olympic-training facilities in Canada, Minnesota or Lake Placid. Here at Annie Wright, Red Tie Class of '14 student Clare Jeong proves that elite athletes can also manage rigorous academic programs. On January 19 and February 1-3, Clare Jeong excelled in seve ...
  • Poulsen Twins Continue to Shine in Inline Skating
    News • 1/30/2013
    William and Christian Poulsen, twin skaters in Grade 6, continue to medal in several categories. William got an individual silver in the 500 meters, and as a two-man relay team William and Christian received ;silver in the 12-16 division (the first place team were both 16!). In other relays: the twi ...
  • Upper School Directors Visit Families in Korea and China
    News • 11/18/2012
    Susan Bauska, Co-Director of Upper School, traveled to Seoul, Korea, in November to hold conferences with parents of Korean students. This trip, and another that Jake Guadnola will take to China in January, are held in conjunction with student-led conferences here on campus, allowing our parents ove ...
  • Varsity Volleyball Gators break records and make news
    News • 11/8/2012
    The Annie Wright Upper School Varsity Volleyball team, 1A Tri-District Champions, entered the State competition with a winning streak of 17 matches wihtout dropping a single game. CONGRATULATIONS GATORS! ; Check out our press: News Tribune Seattle Times Tacoma Weekly Yakima Herald The Suburban Times ...
  • Annie Wright hosts Children's Museum's free Play to Learn program
    News • 10/10/2012
    We are thrilled to host the Children’s Museum of Tacoma's free Play to Learn program on Monday mornings 10-11:30 am on our campus. Kids age 6 and under engage in creative play, group activities and songs with the adults who accompany them. This is a ;free, drop-in program: no registration is n ...
  • Gators Rock the You Go Girl Race
    News • 9/21/2012
    Gator faculty, staff, parents and students turned up last weekend in official race shirts, school skirts, tutus, gator hats and wide smiles to represent Annie Wright Schools in the You Go Girl! 10K and Half Marathon to benefit the YWCA. Not only did they look great and show their spirit, but also th ...
  • Thanks to the Dorm Prefects!
    News • 9/10/2012
    Getting the Annie Wright dormitory ready for 90 girls to take up residence takes a lot of time and effort. In mid-August, ten senior prefects arrived to begin the work. Addie Francis, Suzie Zeng, Emma Middleton, Sarah Lee, Inessa Palchikova, Leilei Wu, Manmit Dhami, Mao Terada, Pin Siriviroj and Nun ...
  • Generous AWS 2nd Graders Give Back on Their Birthdays
    News • 9/5/2012
    Three Annie Wright 2nd Graders, Madisen Harkins, Olivia Burrington and Adia Carei, were recently honored by the Tacoma Humane Society for their generosity. Back in March, ;all three girls celebrated their birthdays together. They wanted to do something special in lieu of birthday presents, so they t ...
  • Recent Annie Wright Alumnus Makes News
    News • 8/14/2012
    Austin Schuver, who graduated from Annie Wright's 8th grade last year, is making news, and a difference, in his community. Extending his final project at Annie Wright on bottled water into a campaign to educate his town of Enumclaw about the environmental impact of plastic bottles, Austin enlisted b ...
  • Annie Wright Brochure Wins International Award
    News • 7/18/2012
    In the fall of 2010 Annie Wright published a new brochure designed to appeal to students interested in the 5-day boarding program. The eight panel brochure highlighted upper school students in activities across the school and asked the rhetorical question, "Am I strong enough. . . " The brochure was ...
  • Upper School Chorus Receives Gold Award
    News • 5/29/2012
    The Upper School Chorus, for the 2nd time in two years received a Gold Award for their work at the Heritage Choral Festival in Vancouver, British Columbia over this weekend. 28 members of the Chorus performed three selections for a distinguished panel of adjudicators, receiving scores of 90, 90 and ...
  • Tennis Team Places 2nd in State
    News • 5/26/2012
    Senior Margaret Taylor and freshman Samantha Weeks represented Annie Wright at the state tennis tournament in Yakima over the weekend. On outdoor courts with swirling winds gusting in excess of 25 mph, both girls played three matches on Friday and a fourth match on Saturday morning. Margaret lost he ...
  • Kadie Brown Continues to Build her Crew Credentials
    News • 5/26/2012
    Annie Wright junior Kadie Brown is now in her third year of rowing with the Commencement Bay Rowing Club. She is team co-captain and competes in women's pairs and women's fours with coxswain boats. In May, Kadie competed in the NW Regional Championships in Vancouver, Washington and took first place ...
  • AWS Students Honored by United Way
    News • 5/24/2012
    Five Annie Wright students were among more than 500 young people from the Pierce County Area honored for their outstanding service to the community. In order to be among this select group of honorees, students had to volunteer at least 145 hours to community service projects. Annie Wright students h ...
  • William and Christian Poulsen Compete at 2012 NW Regionals in Portland
    News • 5/23/2012
    Over the weekend of May 18-21, 5th graders William and Christian Poulsen competed in the eight-state 2012 Northwest Regionals for Inline Skating in Portland Oregon for the opportunity to qualify for the National Competition. Only the top four individuals and top four relay teams from each age divisi ...
  • AWS Girls Head to Volleyball Nationals
    News • 5/14/2012
    A number of AWS girls are heading to the prestigious Volleyball Nationals competition. This event will be held in Columbus, OH in June and July. The girls qualified through their club volleyball teams, which are very competitive in the Puget Sound region. Sophomore Tori Smith's 253 Elite 16s team ca ...
  • AWS US Girls Compete in Sea-King League Tennis Tournament
    News • 5/14/2012
    Annie Wright Upper School girls competed in the Sea-King League tennis tournament on May 10th and 11th. Doubles teams Julia Murray and Leslie Bauska, and Soobin An and Makaela Mautz lost in close matches. In singles, senior Margaret Taylor qualified for 4th place by winning 7-6; 7-6 against a player ...
  • Mary Bradford '12 selected for Washington Scholars Award
    News • 4/23/2012
    Congratulations to Mary Bradford '12 for being selected for the Washington Scholars Award , representing Legislative District #27. This award, granted by the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), is a prestigious recognition to honor some of the state's most exemplary high sch ...
  • Upper School Humanities teacher Bridgette McGoldrick selected for Cannady fellowship to visit the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa
    News • 3/15/2012
    Upper School Humanities teacher Bridgette McGoldrick is one of two teachers in the nation selected to be a William and Virginia Banks Cannady Visiting Teacher to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa in August, 2012. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy has become one of ...
  • DI teams take three first-place awards at regionals
    News • 3/11/2012
    AWS Destination Imagination (DI) teams did an outstanding job at the regional competition on March 10. The teams claimed three first-place awards, one second-place award, and the Da Vinci Award for creativity! State competition is likely for all four teams. Special thanks to team managers Julia Carn ...
  • Grace Shuman '14 represents AWS at Poetry Out Loud state competition, Saturday, March 10
    News • 3/8/2012
    AWS sophomore Grace Shuman '14 represented Annie Wright Upper School and the entire Pierce County region at the Poetry Out Loud state championship on March 10, 2012 at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma. She competed against eleven other participants from across Washington state. Grace presented two very ...
  • Clare Jeong '14 sets four national speed skating records in her age group
    News • 2/29/2012
    AWS sophomore Clare Jeong '14 competed in the 2012 National Long Track Speed Skating Championships on February 25-26 in Roseville, MN and became a record-setting national champion in her age group (15-16 year olds) by winning first place in five events (500 m, 800 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, 3000 m). She set ...
  • William and Christian Poulsen earn top medals at East Coast invitational skating competition
    News • 2/22/2012
    Fifth graders William and Christian Poulsen competed in the East Coast Blue Ridge Invitational for inline skating in Roanoke, Virginia over Presidents' Weekend. They competed against 32 teams representing the eastern half of the United States. William tied for first place in individuals in his age g ...
  • Science team places third in ASCE's annual Popsicle Stick Bridge competition
    News • 2/13/2012
    Congratulations to Upper School students Kitty Lo '12 , Leilei Wu '13 , Makaela Mautz '13 , and Ji Young Lee '14 , whose popsicle stick bridge won third place in aesthetics at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 17th annual Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition on February 11, 2012 at the Mus ...
  • Upper School Masque Players invited to state and international showcase conferences
    News • 2/13/2012
    The Upper School Masque Players theatre group competed at the Washington State Regional Thespian Conference held on February 11, 2012 at Olympia High School. AWS seniors Mary Bradford '12 and Stephenie Simmons '12 , competing in Duo Scenework, placed in the top 10% of all entries and have been invit ...
  • NESC's "Darwin Day Roadshow" comes to Annie Wright
    News • 2/12/2012
    Annie Wright was one of nine schools selected out of more than 100 applicant schools in the nation to participate in the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center's "Darwin Day Roadshow." The event brings evolutionary scientists into classrooms to share with students modern developments and research in ...
  • Upper School's first annual debate tournament a tremendous success
    News • 2/12/2012
    Annie Wright Upper School hosted its first-ever debate tournament on February 10 and 11, 2012. High school students from eight schools visited the AWS campus and competed in the first annual Annie Wright Novice Tournament of Champions . Congratulations to tournament coordinator Corey McCool , Coach ...
  • Annie Wright students jump rope for heart
    News • 2/3/2012
    Annie Wright students, faculty and parents participated in the annual Jump Rope for Heart on February 3, 2012. The event raises funds for the American Heart Association and promotes nutrition, fitness and fun. Parent volunteers provided snacks of fresh fruit, while students and teachers took shifts ...
  • Eighth grader Emma Salam '16 to perform in 'Reflections on Ice' figure skating show
    News • 1/31/2012
    Eighth grader Emma Salam '16 performed at the "Reflections on Ice - Celebration, The Next Generation" figure skating show at Sprinker Recreation Center on February 10-12. This professionally-choreographed annual event showcases local talent, rising stars and professionals. Past guest performers have ...
  • Emily Betts wins first place in Geobee
    News • 1/13/2012
    The annual Geobee for grades 6-8 was held January 13, 2012 in the Kemper Theatre. Champions of preliminary class rounds took turns answering geography-related trivia questions until three competitors remained for the final round. Seventh grader Emily Betts was crowned first place, followed by eighth ...
  • Clare Jeong '14 featured on KING 5 News
    News • 1/4/2012
    Junior Olympic-bound speed skater and Annie Wright sophomore Clare Jeong '14 was featured on the 5:00 p.m. KING 5 sports report on Thursday, January 5, 2012 . KING 5 sports anchor Andrea Nakano filmed and interviewed Jeong on January 4th at Annie Wright Schools and again while she was practicing ska ...
  • Head Search Update 2009-11-20
    News • 11/20/2009
    A message from Jeff Greene, Trustee and chair of the Head Search Committee: Annie Wright Community, On behalf of the Head Search Committee, I offer thanks for your generous and hospitable welcome of Rosemary Evans and Christian and Lisa Sullivan. Both candidates expressed their appreciation for the ...
  • Inkwell Wins Silver Medal for Journalism
    News • 11/12/2013
    Inkwell , the Upper School student newspaper, won a Silver Medal from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The award was based on evaluation by experienced national judges of all issues during the 2012-13 school year. Founded in 1925, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association ;unites student ...
  • Upper School Inaugurates Annie Talks Series with Pierce County Auditor Julie Anderson
    News • 11/12/2013
    Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor, addressed around 50 Upper School students and faculty in the Great Hall in the inaugural Annie Talks speaker series event on Friday, November 8. Ms. Anderson, citing the staggering gender divide in politics, urged the girls to see themselves holding a political ...
  • Community Day 2024 Warms Hearts On A Cold Day!
    News • 1/19/2024
    "Your volunteers touched the hearts of the employees present that day and have inspired them with your enthusiasm. Annie Wright always has a friend here."    "Your volunteers were efficient and excited to donate their time at a level that we haven’t seen since last year. Your continu ...
  • Announcing the IB Global Alliance
    News • 11/17/2023
    Dear AWS Community, Just over two years ago, the Board of Trustees minted a  strategic plan  that consists of five key strands. One of these strands is “Engage the Tacoma Community and Beyond,” and it asks us to ensure that AWS and its students learn from and alongside Tacoma. ...
  • Fall Upper School Athletics Update
    News • 11/1/2023
    Congratulations to our Fall athletes on an incredible season. Please read below for a season recap! US Cross Country District Championships: Will C. ’25 destroyed the competition and won the District title last Saturday at Chambers Bay. The 2 nd  place runner was 45 seconds behind Will!&# ...
  • Uncovering Our City's Challenges & Opportunities with Realize Tacoma
    News • 7/14/2023
    Realize Tacoma 2023 has officially kicked off! Students from Tacoma Public Schools, Chief Leschi and Annie Wright Schools made their home for the week in our dorm facilities and began their deep dive into Tacoma’s challenges and opportunities. From housing to the job industry, child wellbeing ...
  • How Can IB... Reflective?
    News • 1/20/2023
    Welcome to our 2022-2023 community gathering series! Each month will focus one of the ten IB learner profile attributes. Speakers will volunteer to engage with our school community about what it means to live out that particular attribute. This month, we are focusing on the characteristic "reflectiv ...
  • How Can IB... Caring?
    News • 12/12/2022
    Why do we care? Why would we care for someone who we might never meet? These are questions Salvador Mungia, current parent and alumni parent, posed for us in the latest installment of our community gathering series. Sal spoke about doing things for other people because it feeds us spiritually. Regar ...
  • Fostering Wellness Through Increased Access to Counseling
    News • 11/1/2022
    The  current strategic plan  of the school has five strands, one of which is “Foster a Culture of Wellness.” As a student-centered institution, Annie Wright Schools believe learning is best achieved by tending to the whole child. Wellness programming must be intentionally woven ...
  • Green Tie College Week is a Wrap!
    News • 10/6/2022
    Green Tie seniors have just wrapped up their College Week! Each fall, an entire week is dedicated to working on and submitting college applications. All academic classes are cancelled for seniors, faculty and staff are available to help proofread essays and write letters of recommendation, and stude ...
  • How can IB... an Inquirer?
    News • 9/29/2022
    Welcome to our 2022-2023 community gathering series! Each month will focus one of the ten IB learner profile attributes. Speakers will volunteer to engage with our school community about what it means to live out that particular attribute. 10.3.22 Green Tie Sebastián B. ’23 reflected on h ...
  • Fall Season of AWS Athletics is Underway!
    News • 8/31/2022
    The Fall Season of athletics is underway in the USG and USB (US Cross Country, USG Volleyball, USG Soccer, and USB Tennis). LS practices for soccer and cross country will start up next week along with MS Volleyball and MS Cross Country. Families will receive a message about their teams directly from ...
  • Uniform Update
    News • 8/26/2022
    Recognizing supply chain issues, delivery delays, and cost concerns, we aim to have used uniform sales for our families throughout the summer and at the beginning of school. However, this year our inventory was completely cleared out by families over the summer! This means we will be unable to host ...
  • Uniform Update
    News • 8/26/2022
    Recognizing supply chain issues, delivery delays, and cost concerns, we aim to have used uniform sales for our families throughout the summer and at the beginning of school. However, this year our inventory was completely cleared out by families over the summer! This means we will be unable to host ...
  • 2021-2024 Strategic Plan Update: Ensuring the Thrivability of Annie Wright Schools
    News • 6/1/2022
    One of the Strategic Plan’s five strands is “Ensure the Thrivability of Annie Wright Schools.” For this to happen, it is critical that the School’s physical plant meets the needs of its students. We are excited to share that this summer we will begin work ...
  • Middle School Schedule Change
    News • 6/1/2022
    Research shows  that later school start times for Middle and Upper School students improve school attendance and performance, decrease tardiness and instances of students falling asleep in class, and reduce student irritability and disciplinary issues. We have found that shifting the& ...
  • 2021-2025 Strategic Plan Update: Making our Strong Academic Program Stronger
    News • 4/1/2022
    In January, we shared that the Upper Schools continue the work of maturing their 'coordinate' programming as part of the first strand of our  2021-2025 Strategic Plan : "Making our Strong Academic Program Stronger." As the year progresses, we wanted to share the ways in which this effort has be ...
  • Mrs. Clare Inspires with 100 Day Dress Challenge
    News • 3/9/2022
    Grade 3 Teacher Lorraine Clare recently completed the 100 Day Dress Challenge . Yes! She wore the same dress, mostly unnoticed, for 100 days in a row. Toward the end of the challenge, one student in Mrs. Clare's class noticed that she'd worn the same dress as the previous day. Can you believe it? Sh ...
  • 2021-2025 Strategic Plan Update: Health & Wellness
    News • 3/1/2022
    The third strand of our  2021-2025 Strategic Plan entrusts AWS with "Fostering a Culture of Wellness." While tending to the whole student has been central to the mission of Annie Wright Schools, COVID has certainly underlined the critical importance of focusing on student and employee health an ...
  • 2021-2025 Strategic Plan Update: Academics
    News • 1/5/2022
    The first strand of our  2021-2025 Strategic Plan focuses on "Making our Strong Academic Program Stronger," and we are delighted to share with you the many ways AWS has already begun to make this strand come to life.  Grade 5 parents were treated to a pilot of our math student profiles las ...
  • Gator Arts, December Update
    News • 12/1/2021
    This November marked the first conclusion of After School Arts programming for Lower and Middle School and culminated with an inaugural Fall Arts Festival. Celebrating the work of nearly 100 student pursuits across an impressive range of artistic disciplines, we delighted in a joyful sharing with fr ...
  • AWS Kindergartener Among First Children to Get Vaccine at UW Press Event
    News • 11/3/2021
    Kindergartener Laila Greaves was among some of the first children, age 5-11, to get the COVID vaccine at a University of Washington press event on Wednesday, November 3, in Shoreline, Washington. Check out this article in The Seattle Times , featuring Laila and her family . Laila's mother Natasha sh ...
  • Gator Athletics, November Update
    News • 11/1/2021
    We are thrilled to have students back on the field and on the court this fall! Our Gator student-athletes are excelling more than ever, while staying healthy and having fun. Stay tuned on all upcoming events at www.aw.org/athletics-calendar .  Go Gators! Upper School for Girls Soccer lost a com ...
  • Gator Arts, November Update
    News • 11/1/2021
    The entire AWS community is invited to celebrate Lower, Middle, and Upper School artists as part of the Fall Arts Festival on Saturday, November 13. Private Music Lesson recitals run from 1:00-3:00 pm; After School Arts class showcases run from 3:00-5:00 pm. In addition, T.U.P.A.C.' s Urban Nutcrack ...
  • Annie Wright Schools Welcome Inaugural Cohort of Tacoma Scholars
    News • 10/14/2021
    Annie Wright Schools welcomed eight Grade 9 students to the inaugural cohort of Tacoma Scholars , a new program formed to provide an AWS education to local students who come from historically disadvantaged communities. Annie Wright Schools are committed to dismantling systemic racism by leveraging o ...
  • Taiho Capoeman ’25 Places First in Video Contest
    News • 9/28/2021
    Taiho Capoeman Yellow Tie ’25 received two first place awards for his entry in Flower Hill Institute's Youth Forage Summit video contest. Taiho earned first place for "Gathering 8th Grade Category" as well as first in "Technical Champion 7-8th Grade Category." Flower Hill is a Native-owned non ...
  • Bev Brown Excellence in Teaching Award 20-21 Recipients Announced
    News • 7/1/2021
    Named after iconic Annie Wright art teacher Beverley Brown, this award is presented annually to the faculty member who most successfully challenges, motivates and supports students. There is no professional development for effective teaching during a global health pandemic, just as there was no play ...
  • Michele Cannon Bessler Named Sullivan Strength in Leadership Recipient
    News • 7/1/2021
    The Christian G. Sullivan Strength in Leadership Award is given bi-annually to a member of the community whose leadership has actively enhanced the mission of the schools, and demonstrably advanced the institution from strength to strength. Key characteristics of the award recipient include vision, ...
  • AWS yearbook, The Shield, is featured in Jostens Look Book 2021
    News • 5/4/2021
    Annie Wright Schools yearbook, The Shield, has been recognized for excellence and featured in the Jostens Look Book 2021, celebrating the best-of-the-best in yearbook design and inclusivity. The Jostens Look Book is a collection of outstanding yearbooks and their creative themes, cool covers, beauti ...
  • Sonia Rodriguez True ’92 Appointed Yakima County Superior Court Commissioner
    News • 4/16/2021
    In January 2021, Sonia Rodriguez True ’92 was appointed to Yakima County Superior Court Commissioner—the first Latino to serve in the position. Her 20 years of experience as an attorney has certainly paved the way for this monumental moment, but Sonia first credits her strong faith, in a ...
  • Amy (Nyce) Wildt ’84
    News • 4/14/2021
    It has been difficult here, but we got through it easier than many fellow Houstonians. We have a gas fireplace that keeps us warm and we have plenty of water supply. Things are slowly recovering from immediate weather problems, but it will take a while for Houston to get back on its feet. I am off t ...
  • ABC News Appoints MaryAlice Parks ’04 as White House Correspondent
    News • 4/13/2021
    ABC News made history 47 years ago when it assigned the first woman, Ann Compton, to cover the White House for a TV network. This year ABC made history again when the news division named an all-female line-up of White House correspondents, including Annie Wright’s MaryAlice Parks ’04. Th ...
  • Kyra Mungia ’09 Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Education List
    News • 4/9/2021
    Annie Wright Schools “lifer” (attended from Preschool to Grade 12) Kyra Mungia ’09 landed a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30—Education list for 2021. As the deputy director of education, working in the office of Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Kyra helped spearhead the #OaklandU ...
  • Hannah Burdge ’92
    News • 4/8/2021
    I specialized in family medicine and did my training at Swedish in Seattle. After graduating I started my practice at Group Health Cooperative which has since become Kaiser Permanente (KP). I was part of a team that helped KP launch two new clinics in the Seattle Area in 2019 and 2020. We launched K ...
  • Eireann Corrigan Releases Eighth Book
    News • 4/7/2021
    Eireann Corrigan , Director of Upper School for Girls, released her eighth book, Remedy , on Tuesday, April 6, with Scholastic. The novel, for ages 12+, has already received praise from Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books and Kirkus Reviews and is available in both hardcover and paperback .& ...
  • MaryAlice Parks ’04
    News • 4/4/2021
    It’s a new year and a new administration in Washington, DC—and I am privileged to start a new job in the nation’s capital too. After seven years (and about seven different jobs) with ABC News, in January I accepted a role as a White House correspondent for the network. I am excited ...
  • Octavious the Owl Inspires Lower School Artists
    News • 2/2/2021
    Remember the owl that visited Mrs. Glavick's Grade 4 classroom last fall? Ms. Grace, Annie Wright Art &; Design Teacher, highlights how this sweet fellow inspired Lower School artists and IB Learner Profile  concepts.  In late autumn of 2020, Mrs. Glavick's Grade 4 class discovered a visit ...
  • Alicia Mathurin Earns Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Lifetime Service Award
    News • 12/18/2020
    Alicia Mathurin , Director of Community Engagement at Annie Wright Schools, has been selected to receive the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Lifetime Service Award by   Tacoma’s City Events and Recognitions Committee. The selection committee shared that Alicia has received this prestigi ...
  • AWS Board Doubles Down on Giving Amidst Pandemic
    News • 11/9/2020
    Extraordinary times call for extraordinary leadership and our Annie Wright Schools Board of Trustees has answered the call. The twenty-four Trustees were challenged to set the tone and foundation for this year’s effort by making a stretch gift and they responded with 100% participation and a t ...
  • Yellow Tie Emil Haedt Earns Girl Scout Gold Award
    News • 10/29/2020
    A project exploring bat populations and habitats has earned Yellow Tie senior Emil Haedt a  Girl Scout Gold Award . This was no easy feat, as only 6% of Girl Scouts earn the Gold Award, but Emil's hard work, determination and perseverance certainly paid off. The award culminates a lengthy journ ...
  • Connections in Art & Community
    News • 10/23/2020
    Kindergarten-Grade 5 students are exploring how we can choose where we are in space, both in art and within our community. Lines and space can divide us and bring us together. Lines can also connect ideas and concepts that are in space. Students created individual work choosing the weight (size and ...
  • Sub-Committees Begin Initial Work
    News • 10/23/2020
    As we shared previously, we are launching thematic subcommittees to move forward several important threads in our DEI journey. Keep an eye on this space for updates on the progress of these initiatives, in addition to other interesting and special goings on around school, like last week's Grade 5 hi ...
  • Grade 5 Learns Voice Can Invoke Change
    News • 10/16/2020
    Inspired by her participation in the NAIS People of Color Conference in Seattle in December 2019 , Grade 5 teacher Jamie Parrott began to reimagine how units of inquiry in the classroom could be enhanced by a deeper understanding of multiple perspectives and voices. Grade 5 colleague Malcolm Davidso ...
  • Stop the Presses: Annie Writers Kill it at PNWA
    News • 9/29/2020
    Four accomplished members of the Annie Writers (s)Elective presented two sessions at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA) conference on Saturday, September 26. Lu Henry-Mitchell and Katherine Christensen (Yellow Tie seniors) and Anna Parrott and Kaitlyn Lawson (Red Tie juniors) created a ...
  • Rex Bates Named Director of International Advancement
    News • 9/24/2020
    Rex Bates has been named Director of International Advancement and will be responsible for all aspects of the international student experience at Annie Wright Schools. This includes managing the admissions process, supporting students during their time at Annie Wright, building meaningful relationsh ...
  • Alicia Mathurin Appointed Director of Community Engagement
    News • 9/21/2020
    Alicia Mathurin has been appointed to a new role, Director of Community Engagement, and will continue to serve on the schools’ Senior Leadership Team . The newly developed position reports directly to Head of Schools Jake Guadnola. Alicia first joined Annie Wright Schools as a parent in 2012. ...
  • Grace Finch Promoted to Senior Leadership Team
    News • 9/14/2020
    Grace Finch, Director of Development, will now serve on the Annie Wright Schools' Senior Leadership Team . Finch will continue in her existing position, assuming a new title and now reporting to Head of Schools Jake Guandola. Finch joined Annie Wright Schools in 2016 as Philanthropy Director. She ha ...
  • 2020 Faculty & Staff Award Recipients Announced
    News • 6/17/2020
    Typically a highlight of May Day festivities, the Beverly Brown Excellence in Teaching Award and L.T. Murray Family Chair for Excellence were announced at virtual closing ceremonies last week as the 2019-2020 school year came to an end. Beverley Brown Excellence in Teaching Award Angelica ...
  • Green Tie Nadine Gibson Selected as 2020 US Youth Ambassador
    News • 4/8/2020
    Green Tie and freshman Nadine Gibson has been selected to participate in the 2020 US Youth Ambassadors Program with Ecuador. Nadine is one of 120 US participants selected for the prestigious program. The Youth Ambassadors Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. D ...
  • AWS Board Ratifies Diversity Statement
    News • 2/28/2020
    Faculty and board members collaborated on this official diversity statement for Annie Wright Schools. It was ratified by the Board of Trustees on February 28, 2020.   We acknowledge the fact of diversity as a vital source of Annie Wright Schools’ strong community. We recognize all identit ...
  • Substance Abuse Prevention Program Returns in February
    News • 1/9/2020
    As part of Annie Wright Schools' health education and substance use prevention efforts, specialists from Freedom From Chemical Dependency (FCD) Prevention Works will work with students and parents February 11-12. They will begin with a parent session on February 11, at 6:30 pm in the Great Hall ...
  • Much Ado about the Arts
    News • 12/10/2019
    This weekend, Annie Wright Schools present William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing . This innovative performance, featuring girls and boys from Grades 8 to 12, trims this delightful comedy to one hour and engages audiences intimately with staging in the round. This play is not about nothi ...
  • Annie Wright at NAIS People of Color Conference
    News • 12/5/2019
    The National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference (PoCC) is happening in Seattle December 4-7. Annie Wright’s own Alicia Mathurin, Director of Auxiliary Programs, has been serving as the PoCC Local Committee Chairwoman for the past year. Alicia welcomed attendees at th ...
  • Head of Schools Christian Sullivan to Leave in June 2020
    News • 10/21/2019
    Head of Schools Christian Sullivan and the Board of Trustees announced today that Mr. Sullivan will leave Annie Wright Schools at the end of this academic year. He will begin a new headship at Bullis School  outside Washington, DC, beginning in July 2020. "His decade-long leadership has been tr ...
  • Annie Wright Schools Welcome 1,200 Educators for Independent School Conference
    News • 10/11/2019
    Today Annie Wright Schools welcome more than 1,200 educators from across the Pacific Northwest for the annual Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS) conference. The theme of this full day professional development event is Bridging Research and Reality: The Science of Teaching and Learn ...
  • New Upper School for Boys Building Opens
    News • 9/6/2019
    A new state-of-the-art academic building to house the  Upper School for Boys program opened Wednesday, August 28, 2019, for the start of the 2019-20 school year. The building, with flexible and innovative spaces, brings a modern element to campus while honoring Annie Wright’s architecture ...
  • Track & Golf League Champs are District-Bound
    News • 5/13/2019
    Last week Annie Wright Upper School golf and track teams earned league titles, launching both teams to district competitions. The Upper School for Girls golf team won their second consecutive league championship, defeating 2nd place Charles Wright Tarriers by 36 strokes. Junior Abby Givens, after sh ...
  • Upper School Boys Join Other Local Artists in Printmaking Festival
    News • 4/29/2019
    On April 27 the Annie Wright Upper School for Boys Digital Art and Design class participated in the 15th annual Wayzgoose printmaking festival at King’s Books in Tacoma. The two day festival is a celebration of local letterpress and book artists. Members of the community can meet local printer ...
  • AWS students explore the world
    News • 4/1/2019
    International mindedness is central to an International Baccalaureate education, and Annie Wright Schools provide opportunities for all students to explore their world. In the Middle and Upper Schools, international travel is either included in tuition or heavily subsidized by the school. Next month ...
  • Sandra Forero Bush appointed to Assistant Head of Schools
    News • 3/18/2019
    Sandra Forero Bush has been appointed to Assistant Head of Schools beginning August 1, 2019. Bush will serve on the schools’ Senior Leadership Team and will be responsible for overseeing academic affairs and curriculum, professional development, accreditation, International Baccalaureate (IB) ...
  • Historic girls basketball team advances to State quarter-finals
    News • 2/27/2019
    For the first time in Annie Wright history, the Upper School for Girls’ basketball team is playing at the Washington State Tournament in Yakima, WA. Yesterday the team loaded up and departed for the tournament as the entire school cheered them on. Today the #6 Gators faced #11 Zillah High Scho ...
  • Jeff Barber & Alicia Mathurin Promoted to Annie Wright's Senior Leadership Team
    News • 1/22/2019
    Annie Wright Schools announced the promotion of two existing positions to now serve on the schools’ senior leadership team . Jeff Barber, Director of Residential Life, and Alicia Mathurin, Director of Auxiliary Programs, will now serve in the newly appointed roles at Annie Wright. Both report ...
  • Sophomore Eli Dugan Joins Floorball Team USA
    News • 1/21/2019
    Last week sophomore Eli Dugan was selected to be a member of the US men's U19 national floorball team and will compete in the Men’s U19 World Floorball Championships in Halifax this May. Team USA will play Poland, Russia, and Japan in the round robin stage or the tournament, with 16 countries ...
  • Sophomore Nelson Athow Wins 1st at Debate Tournament
    News • 1/21/2019
    Sophomore Nelson Athow won first place in the novice division at the University of Puget Sound annual high school speech and debate tournament on January 12. The tournament comprised more than a dozen different events, including extemporaneous speech, informative speech, Lincoln Douglas debate, ...
  • Grade 9 Students Present Ideas to Chinese Reconciliation Park Board
    News • 5/23/2018
    Five groups of Grade 9 students presented ideas to enhance the user experience at Tacoma’s Chinese Reconciliation Park to their board last night at the University of Puget Sound.   The park, on Commencement Bay near Old Town, commemorates the expulsion of Chinese immigrants from Tacoma in ...
  • Spring Sports Highlights: From Strength to Strength
    News • 5/21/2018
    Sixty-two percent of Kindergarten to Grade 12  students participated in a spring sport this season. Here are some highlights:   GOLF Abby Givens, Nina Ye, Paisley Cristobal, and Yoon Ji Kim tee-off Tuesday morning for the State Championship Golf Match @ Hangman Valley Golf Club in Spo ...
  • Joe Romano Receives Northwest Association Fellowship
    News • 5/2/2018
    Library Media Specialist and Upper School Teacher Joe Romano has been selected as one of six Northwest Association of Independent Schools Futurist Fellows for 2018-19. The fellows, who went through a rigorous and competitive application process, are tasked with imagining the future of independent sc ...
  • Community Service Leadership Activity Hosts Blanket Drive for Nativity House
    News • 4/13/2018
    Community Service Leadership, an Upper School for Girls activity that researches needs in the Tacoma area and thoughtfully addresses those needs, is hosting a blanket drive in partnership with Nativity House , an organization in Tacoma that helps alleviate the effects of homelessness. The non-p ...
  • Holocaust Survivor Shares His Experience with Middle Schoolers
    News • 4/9/2018
    George Elbaum , a Holocaust survivor, spoke to Middle School students on March 15 in the Kemper Theater. He shared the story of his early childhood in Warsaw, first in the ghetto and then in hiding with various Catholic families who raised him with their own children, before being reunited with his ...
  • AWS Earns National Yearbook Design Recognition
    News • 3/26/2018
    Annie Wright Schools' yearbook, Shield , has been recognized for excellence and featured in the 2018 Jostens Look Book , celebrating the best-of-the-best in yearbook design and coverage. The Jostens Look Book is a collection of spreads and photos from outstanding yearbooks and their creative themes, ...
  • AWS Students Earn 1st and 3rd in Chinese Language Competition
    News • 3/21/2018
    On March 17, four Upper School girls, Simran Rakhra, Jaskiran Pental, Sitara McMillin and Kayla Mathurin, and one Upper School boy, Eli Dugan, participated in the Confucius Institute's Chinese Bridge competition for Chinese proficiency for Washington high school students in Seattle. Simran, who has ...
  • Grade 9 Students Present Their Tiny House Plan to Professional Architects
    News • 2/26/2018
    Upper School for Boys students traveled to the Seattle office of Mithun architects last Friday to get feedback on their drawings for a tiny house they plan to build for  Nickelsville Georgetown Tiny House Village . The six-month project, which began in January, is part of their Archit ...
  • With Record Basketball Season, Gators Host Playoffs on Tuesday
    News • 2/12/2018
    Last Thursday, February 7, Annie Wright Upper School for Girls varsity basketball team defeated Bush for their 15th win, achieving their best season in school history. Tomorrow night the Gators will host King's Schools for a playoff game at 7:00 pm in the Kemper Gym.  The Senior class of Raquel ...
  • Upper School for Boys Launches Tiny House Project
    News • 1/23/2018
    The new Annie Wright Upper School for Boys launched a 6-month project last month to build a tiny house for a community in Seattle. This design build experience, part of their Architecture, Design &; Government class, is a collaboration with the non-profit Sawhorse Revolution ,  Nickelsville Geo ...
  • Sports roundup: Middle School teams vie for league titles, Upper School girls set basketball records
    News • 1/17/2018
    Athletics are thriving at Annie Wright Schools, and students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 compete in a range of high performing Annie Wright teams. Lower School Ten basketball teams for girls and boys from Kindergarten to Grade 5 compete every Saturday all over Pierce County.   Middle School M ...
  • Unique experiences a hallmark at Annie Wright
    News • 12/13/2017
    For students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, Annie Wright Schools offer unique experiences wrapped into programming and tuition, supported by the wider community through gifts to the Annual Fund. Here are a few examples: LOWER SCHOOL From authors to environmental scientists, from performing artists t ...
  • Giving Tuesday record breaking success
    News • 12/5/2017
    Giving December kicked off last week on November 28 with a record breaking Giving Tuesday, bringing in more than $160,000 in a single day to support the Annual Fund. This year, through our #GatorsGive theme featuring our beloved mascot, Chomp, we celebrate the spirit, warmth, community and sense of ...
  • Girls' Business & Entrepreneurship Program Students Connect with Leading Experts
    News • 11/21/2017
    Students in Annie Wright Upper School Girls' Business &; Entrepreneurship Program, now in its second year, are engaging locally and nationally to learn from the experts and hone their skills. Earlier this month, GBEP students spent the day at The Bill &; Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, where th ...
  • Grade 7 Student Sofia Guerra Wins Kids Design Glass Competition
    News • 11/20/2017
    Grade 7 student Sofia Guerra designed a glass creature that was chosen for the Museum of Glass Kids Design Glass Collection  this month. Professional glassblowers will create two versions of "Spikefish" this Saturday, November 25, one for the original artist (Sofia), and one for the museum̵ ...
  • Sedia Bayard Receives University of Chicago's Outstanding Educator Award
    News • 11/13/2017
    Annie Wright Middle and Upper School teacher Sedia Bayard received the University of Chicago's Outstanding Educator Award last month. Each year, the University of Chicago invites first year students to nominate an educator who has influenced, challenged or helped them grow intellectually. Hundr ...
  • AWS' Jennifer Haley & From Strength to Strength Campaign featured in NonProfit PRO
    News • 11/9/2017
    The October issue of NonProfit PRO magazine has a familiar face on the cover - Jennifer Haley '89, Director of Institutional Advancement. Ms. Haley was interviewed about Annie Wright's successful From Strength to Strength capital campaign.  From Strength to Strength: The Campaign for Annie Wrig ...
  • AWS Faculty from all four divisions travel to California for design conference
    News • 10/23/2017
    Six Annie Wright teachers representing all four divisions: Steve Parrott (Lower School); John Hunt, Kyle Price and Clare Wagstaff (Middle School); Amy Lynn (Upper School for Girls); and Jeremy Stubbs (Upper School for Boys), attended the 2017 Innovative Learning Conference at the Nueva School in San ...
  • Annie Wright Teachers Share Their Expertise
    News • 10/13/2017
    One of the initiatives detailed in our 2016-21 Strategic Plan is to "encourage, support and expect our faculty to share their professional expertise at local, national and international conferences, workshops and publications." The Annie Wright faculty has been actively doing just that. This month a ...
  • This Week in Gator Athletics
    News • 9/19/2017
    Annie Wright athletics are off to an exciting start this fall. Come support Annie Wright student-athletes from Lower, Middle &; Upper Schools this week:   Tuesday – 9/19  Upper School for Girls Soccer HOME vs. Eastside Prep 3:15 pm Wednesday – 9/20  Upper School for Girls& ...
  • Annie Wright Becomes Only IB Continuum School in Washington
    News • 9/13/2017
    Annie Wright Schools  received full authorization to deliver the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) , making Annie Wright the only school in Washington and one of fewer than 20 schools in the United States to offer the full continuum of IB programming from Preschool to Gra ...
  • Two Students Take Top 4-H Honors at Pierce County Fair
    News • 9/12/2017
    Two Annie Wright Students, one current and one former, took top honors over the summer in 4-H at the Pierce County Fair. Grade 8 student Kaitlyn Lawson and her cat, Hideous Beast, were awarded Grand Champion in the Intermediate competition of Cat fitting and showing, and alumnus Carson McKee MS ...
  • Bob Klarsch, 1940-2017
    News • 8/30/2017
    It is with heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of beloved former headmaster Bob Klarsch earlier today. Bob served as headmaster at AWS 1983-2001, while his late wife Barbara taught fifth grade 1988-99. He leaves behind daughter and alumna Merritt Pulliam ’92, son-in-law Travis, ...
  • Annie Wright Community Members Star in Thea Foss Production
    News • 8/9/2017
    Former and current Annie Wright faculty members, a former trustee and parent of alumni, and a current student are all part of The Other Country , a community-based production at the Foss Waterway Seaport, with five already sold-out shows August 10-13. This play celebrates Tacoma's diverse backg ...
  • Exciting Travel Opportunities for Annie Wright Students
    News • 7/3/2017
    Annie Wright is offering two new travel opportunities for students in our Middle and Upper Schools (Grades 6-12): a spring break 2018 trip to China and a summer 2018 trip to Iceland. SPRING BREAK 2018 CHINA TRIP WHO : Middle and Upper School Students, accompanied by Annie Wright faculty. We need fiv ...
  • AWS Summer Athletics: Open Gym and Open Field
    News • 7/3/2017
    Please join the AWS coaching staffs and your teammates for some fun opportunities this summer in the Kemper Gym and on James Field for basketball, volleyball and soccer.    Here is the schedule:   Saturday, July 15 9:30 am-11:30 am Volleyball  Kemper Gym Welcome boys and girls 3r ...
  • Grade 6 Mural Adorns East Side Building
    News • 6/21/2017
    Grade 6 students designed a mural for a building on the corner of 34th and East E Street in Tacoma's East Side neighborhood above the Tacoma Dome. Middle School faculty members Shannon Leenstra, John Hunt and Kyle Price installed the mural yesterday. The project was the culmination of the Middle Yea ...
  • Administrators & Faculty Travel across the Country for Professional Development
    News • 6/14/2017
    Annie Wright administrators and faculty model lifelong learning and represent Annie Wright Schools in conferences and professional development opportunities across the country. Several will travel to these before the end of June. Head of Schools Christian Sullivan will attend the National Coalition ...
  • Grade 5 Student Becomes Head of Schools for the Day
    News • 6/7/2017
    Grade 5 student Amelia Herrmann Scholbe took the helm as Head of Schools last Monday, an experience her family won at the 2017 Family Night Auction in early May. Her day was busy with greeting students in chapel (where she also declared an all-school civvies day for the following day), several meeti ...
  • AWS Achieves Historic Powderpuff Victory on New James Field
    News • 6/5/2017
    On May 31  at 5:30 pm, the final whistle signaled a historic moment in AWS Athletics: A 5-4 Powderpuff flag football victory over Charles Wright Academy. This event was the first interscholastic competition on Annie Wright's new James Memorial Field.   The Gators started the game on defens ...
  • Holocaust Survivor Shares Story of Survival and Hope with Middle Schoolers
    News • 5/4/2017
    On April 19 Grades 7 and 8 students and several faculty members gathered in the Great Hall to hear Henry Friedman, a Holocaust survivor and founder of the Holocaust Center for Humanity in Seattle, speak about his experiences. Mr. Friedman recounted his childhood in pre-war Brody, Poland, and offered ...
  • Senior Annika Cederstrand Commits to University of Wisconsin Track Program
    News • 5/1/2017
    Annika Cederstrand committed to the University of Wisconsin Class of 2021 last week, where she will throw the javelin in the track program. She is the fourth Annie Wright student to commit to a college athletic program.   A passionate student and athlete, Annika has competed in track and field ...
  • Globetrotting for a Reason
    News • 3/21/2017
    Globetrotting For a Reason Helping families prepare students for a global society is at the core of Annie Wright’s mission. While it is possible to do this without visiting distant places, culturally or geographically, travel certainly enhances personal learning and growth. Over the last few y ...
  • AWS Students Rock Destination Imagination Competition
    News • 3/2/2017
    Three teams of Annie Wright students have qualified for the Washington State Destination Imagination Creative Problem Solving Finals:  The Turnip Turtles in the Middle Level Fine Arts challenge, D.I.versity in the Middle Level Scientific challenge, and the DI-sco Sloths in the Elementary Scient ...
  • AWS Musicians Shine at Regional Competition
    News • 2/15/2017
    The Annie Wright advanced Upper and Middle School orchestras performed at the Washington Music Educators Association Regional Solo and Ensemble Instrumental Competition on February 10 at Giaudrone Middle School in Tacoma. UPPER SCHOOL The Annie Wright Upper School orchestra was named first alternate ...
  • Eighth Grader, Emilie Haedt, Wins Art Contest
    News • 1/20/2017
    Emilie Haedt, Grade 8, was one of five Washington students who have been named state champions in a writing, art and film contest sponsored by the Office of Secretary of State’s  Legacy Washington  program, which produced the  “Who Are We?”  profile series and e ...
  • Annie Wright Schools to Open New Program for High School Boys
    News • 1/4/2017
    Annie Wright Schools plan to launch a new program for high school boys starting in the 2017-18 school year. Complementing Annie Wright’s co-ed Lower and Middle Schools and all-girls’ Upper School, this program will extend Annie Wright’s inquiry-based experience to boys in Grades 9- ...
  • In Memoriam: Merlin Bernard-Toledano
    News • 12/1/2016
    Merlin Bernard-Toledano, a longtime and beloved member of the security and maintenance team at Annie Wright Schools, died peacefully in Fife on November 25, 2016, at the age of 75. Merlin was born on December 27, 1940, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the late Edward and Grethel Bernard. He served in t ...
  • Annie Wright Heads to States for Volleyball and Cross Country
    News • 11/4/2016
    Annie Wright Upper School's varsity volleyball team finished the regular season undefeated, with a record of 11-0 in the Emerald City League. After the regular season, the team defeated Forest Ridge to win the league tournament, earning them an automatic bid to state. All four seniors received all l ...
  • Annie Wright’s New Girls’ Business Program Featured by NAIS Inspiration Lab
    News • 9/16/2016
    Annie Wright's Girls’ Business and Entrepreneurship Program , a signature program within the Upper School for girls in Grades 10-12, has been featured by The National Association of Independent Schools’ Inspiration Lab .   The National Association of Independent Schools is a members ...
  • Fall Sports Competitions Launch in All Three Divisions
    News • 9/14/2016
    The fall sports season is underway. Here are some highlights from last week: LS 2nd/3rd Grade Flag Football lost a last-second heartbreaker 20-25 on Saturday. Ayden Lorance, Gus Guadnola, Charlie Finch, and  Cooper Dicks played very well in representing AWS, and high fives are well-deserve ...
  • Twenty-six Annie Wright students earn International Baccalaureate Diploma
    News • 8/5/2016
    Twenty-six out of 27 International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma candidates have been awarded the prestigious IB Diploma. Six students earned bilingual diplomas.   Every Annie Wright Upper School student follows the IB curriculum. Typically, half choose to fulfill all IB requirements, including ta ...
  • Faculty & Staff Pursue Summer Adventures Near and Far
    News • 6/17/2016
    School may be out, but Annie Wright faculty and staff continue their passion for learning as they work, travel, hike, bike, climb, study and spend time with friends and family this summer. Teachers are traveling across the country, to Oregon, California, Wyoming, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, ...
  • AWS Track Athletes Head to State
    News • 5/23/2016
    Track athletes Annika Cederstrand and Anna Haddad are headed to the State finals in javelin and 1600m. Annika, who worked with Annie Wright dad Foss Miller over the past several weeks to help improve her consistency going into the end of the season, earned first place for javelin at the bi-district ...
  • 2016 Destination Imagination State Finals Results
    News • 4/5/2016
    Ninety-one qualifying teams gathered at Eastmont Junior High in East Wenatchee on Saturday, April 2 for the Washington State D.I. Team Creative Problem Solving Tournament. Three AWS teams qualified at the Rainier Regional to participate in this tournament. The Middle School  “Get a Clue" ...
  • AWS Orchestra Members Perform Around Tacoma
    News • 1/25/2016
    On January 23, eight members of the AWS Middle School Orchestra participated in the Commencement Bay Music Educators Middle School Honors Orchestra at Lincoln High School in Tacoma. Having been sent the music to prepare over the winter break, they joined an orchestra of 60 musicians to rehearse all ...
  • Professional Development Abounds
    News • 11/29/2015
    Apart from student programs and faculty and staff salaries, there is no more important investment than professional development at Annie Wright. The Head of Schools and the Board of Trustees insist that every penny of this budget, supported by tuition dollars and the Annual Fund, is spent, no matter ...
  • Annie Wright Gators Head to State for Volleyball Championship
    News • 11/10/2015
    Annie Wright Upper School’s District 2 championship varsity volleyball team will compete in the 2015 1A WIAA Washington State Volleyball Championships held at the Yakima Valley SunDome. Annie Wright’s Lady Gators are seeded #1 (D1) and will play against Charles Wright Academy at 11:30 am ...
  • Twenty-three Annie Wright students earn International Baccalaureate Diploma
    News • 7/27/2015
    Twenty-three out of our 26 International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma candidates have been awarded the prestigious IB Diploma. Two students earned bi-lingual diplomas, and Annie Wright’s first student to test in Mandarin as an acquired language received a seven, the top score possible.   &# ...
  • Annie Wright Receives Full PYP Authorization
    News • 6/17/2015
    After a rigorous four-year process, Annie Wright received full authorization as an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) school. The PYP, a flexible curriculum for students aged 3 to 12, focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and the o ...
  • Middle Schoolers Become League Champions in Track
    News • 5/20/2015
    The Middle School track team participated in their final meet and received six 1st places, four 2nd places, and five 3rd places. Our girls are League Champions .   Athletes to watch:  Julia Hanly  improved her mile run from 6 min 12 sec to 5 min 49 sec. Her 1/2 mile is exceptional at ...
  • Middle School Track Team Goes From Strength to Strength
    News • 5/4/2015
    The Middle School track team is racking up an impressive array of victories this season. Highlights for the First Meet - Grade 8 excellence: Anna Haddad won first place in 100m and 400m and third place in the long jump Julia Hanly won first place in 800m and the mile Josh Oie won the 75m Hurdles and ...
  • Annie Wright Shines in State Destination Imagination Tournament
    News • 4/6/2015
    Eighty-five qualifying teams gathered at Eastmont Junior High in East Wenatchee the weekend of March 28 for the Washington State D.I. Team Creative Problem Solving Tournament. Two AWS teams qualified at the Rainier Regional to participate in this tournament.    The Middle School "Feary Tal ...
  • Annie Wright Hosts and Excels in DI Tournament
    News • 3/9/2015
    Annie Wright hosted the 2015 Rainier Regional Destination Imagination (Creative Problem Solving) Tournament last Saturday. Two Annie Wright teams placed first in Division &; Challenge and have qualified for the state tournament the weekend of March 28 in Wenatchee. In addition to placing first, the ...
  • Soustelle Sisters Return to Annie Wright After Seven Months in Paris
    News • 2/27/2015
    Elodie and Clémentine Soustelle, the daughters of Upper School French teacher Olivier Soustelle, are back at Annie Wright this Monday, March 2, after exciting adventures in France with their mother. Respectively in 4 th and 1 st Grades, the girls lived in Paris for the last 7 months, ...
  • Middle Schooler April Fraser Wins Essay Contest
    News • 2/27/2015
    Grade 8 student April Hope Fraser is the Washington state winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution Ellis Island essay contest.   The contest charged students to write a letter from the point of view of a foreigner immigrating to Ellis Island. April’s winning letter will now comp ...
  • Two Annie Wright Students Perform with Elite Northwest Musicians
    News • 2/19/2015
    During President's Day Weekend two Annie Wright Upper School musicians rehearsed and performed with the best high school musicians in the state and region at the Washington Music Educators All-State conference/ National Association of Music Educators Northwest conference. Activities began at noon on ...
  • Introducing New Middle School Director Bill Hulseman
    News • 1/28/2015
    Exceptional educator Bill Hulseman will join Annie Wright as Director of Middle School beginning July 1. Mr. Hulseman has worked in Sacred Heart schools in the Boston and D.C. areas, where he has served as teacher and administrator, leading social action and professional development programs. With a ...
  • Annie Wright Exhibits Kids' Pieces from the Museum of Glass
    News • 1/22/2015
    Annie Wright is thrilled to exhibit six whimsical pieces on loan from the Museum of Glass Kids Design Glass Program . The exhibit, which includes two creations in the main foyer and four in the Library &; Learning Commons, will run through May of 2016.   The Kids Design Glass Program invites ch ...
  • Exchange Students Kick Off 2015 in Madrid
    News • 1/6/2015
    As we say hello to the New Year and get back into our routines, six of our Upper School students are saying hello to a new routine in Madrid as part of a new exchange program. Most of the girls left January 1 and are already ensconsed in the warmth of their Spanish families. The girls are staying be ...
  • Annie Wright Features as Shining Example of Cybersecurity
    News • 1/5/2015
    Palo Alto Networks, a cybersecurity firm that protects thousands of business, non-profit, government and service provider networks from cyber threats, recently showcased Annie Wright's firewall as a shining example of complex cybersecurity. In a case study which became their most viewed on the web i ...
  • Community Service Program Reaches Wide
    News • 12/29/2014
    During the holiday season and throughout the year, giving back is an essential part of the Annie Wright community. During Thanksgiving break alone 46 students volunteered for nine different projects.   One such project was the Gingerbread Jamboree, a fundraiser for the Children’s Museum o ...
  • Lower Schoolers Compete in Spark Challenge and Clock 73 Minutes of Exercise at School Per Day
    News • 11/12/2014
    The Lower School recently competed in the Spark public health organization's  25-Day Physical Activity Challenge . The challenge asked that students pledge to achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day, for 25 days. The challenge ran September 25 to October 31, and the grand ...
  • Cook Sisters Become Acting Heads of Schools
    News • 11/5/2014
      Annie Wright fourth grader Lauren Cook and her sister, second grader Katie Cook, took the reins as acting Heads of Schools yesterday. They spent the day greeting incoming students, meeting with senior administrators and alumni, making important decisions and performing a variety of other ...
  • Spanish Exchange Students Wave a Tearful Goodbye
    News • 11/3/2014
    At 4:15 am last Friday, two little yellow school busses left Annie Wright. The bus leading the way carried the ten Spanish girls and their teacher who had been here for nine weeks as part of an exchange program. The second bus following shortly behind carried their luggage. The hallways today are mu ...
  • Mayor Strickland Celebrates Vegetables with Grade 3
    News • 10/28/2014
    Mayor Marilyn Strickland came to Annie Wright last Friday and now it seems all anyone in Grade 3 can talk about is vegetables. The Grade 3 student council wrote Mayor Strickland a letter inviting her to Annie Wright for Food Day, which promotes a healthier diet.  She came to tell them about veg ...
  • Job Shadowing Inspires Future MD
    News • 9/25/2014
    by Tess Williams, Green Tie Class of '15 This week I had the opportunity to job shadow an anesthesiologist, Todd Donato, at the Mary Bridge Hospital. I had an incredible experience and am so grateful; I can now say with confidence I will be pursuing a career in medicine.    Todd, who had j ...
  • Annie Wright is 1st in You Go Girl Race
    News • 9/16/2014
    More than 25 Annie Wright faculty, staff, parents and students participated in the You Go Girl! races to benefit the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation's Fund for Women and Girls last Saturday, September 13, in downtown Tacoma. Leading the charge and coming in first out of 440 finishers in the half ...
  • Mr. Sullivan Takes a Risk
    News • 8/29/2014
    During chapel on the first day of school on Wednesday, April 27, Mr. Sullivan surprised the large audience of students, parents, faculty and staff by singing the alma mater, solo. According to Mr. Sullivan, the idea originally stemmed from the fact that the many students and faculty did not know all ...
  • Middle School Students Showcase Their Work for Citizens for a Healthy Bay
    News • 5/9/2014
    On April 29 Grade 7 students showcased their participation in what has been a year long pilot educational program hosted by Citizens for a Healthy Bay. Close to 100 community members attended the event at Jason Lee Middle School.   Since last September students have been learning the benef ...
  • Upper School Students put on Play to Benefit Alumna's Non-Profit
    News • 5/8/2014
    As the part of the IB program, Upper School students take part in a Community Active Service project. Green Tie Class of 2015 students Quinn Grom and Panchali Majumdar used their CAS project to benefit Gillian Wood’s (Red Tie ’98) non-profit organization Resilience Rising. Quinn and Panc ...
  • AnnieTalks Hosts Tacoma Mayor Marylin Strickland
    News • 4/14/2014
    AnnieTalks hosted Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland on April 11, 2014
  • Three Annie Wright DI Teams Attend State Tournament
    News • 4/8/2014
    Eighty-two qualifying teams gathered at Eastmont Junior High in East Wenatchee on Saturday, March 29, for the Washington State D.I. Team Creative Problem Solving Tournament. Three Annie Wright Day School teams qualified at the Rainier Regional to participate in this tournament.    The Midd ...
  • Middle School Student Flexes His Geography Muscles at the State Geo Bee
    News • 4/4/2014
    On April 4, Grade 7 student Matt Sullivan joined thousands of students in Grades 4-8 across the country in state "Geographic Bee" competitions, run under the auspices of the National Geographic Society. Washington's was held at Pacific Lutheran University. Students qualify for their state competitio ...
  • Announcing...ReadaGator!
    News • 3/26/2014
    Every year our Lower School readers rally together in an event that promotes, provokes and motivates close, intensive reading of the many wonderful works we have in our classroom and library collections. This year’s event is…READaGATOR! Here’s how it works: From March 26 to Ap ...
  • Science Team Wins Six Awards at Regional Science Fair
    News • 3/25/2014
    The ten members of the Upper School Science Team competed Saturday in the South Sound Regional Science Fair at PLU. Nearly 500 projects were entered by students representing 90 schools. Blue Tie Class of '16 student Cecilia Black earned first place for her project "The Green Flash: Understanding Lig ...
  • AWS Upper School Joins National Coalition of Girls’ Schools to Present ‘The Girls’ School Advantage’
    News • 3/17/2014
    According to UCLA education expert Linda Sax, young women who graduate from all-girls' schools are more engaged in their studies, score higher on SATs, and are more confident in math and technology than those who graduate from co-ed schools. Dr. Sax, along with a student panel from Annie Wright Uppe ...
  • Tacoma Councilmen Visit Middle School
    News • 2/25/2014
    Annie Wright Middle School students had a great opportunity to learn more about letter writing and local government this month. This trimester, 8 th graders in Mr. Price’s and Mrs. Parks’ English classes wrote letters to Tacoma Council Members about an issue that they would like to see i ...
  • Three Annie Wright Musicians Chosen for All-State Orchestra
    News • 1/14/2014
    Annie Wright Schools has placed three of its orchestra members in the Washington Music Educators All-State Orchestra program, which will take place during President's Day weekend in February. Grade 8 violinist Casey Kim, Grade 9 violinist Aurora Hake and Grade 11 cellist Hyunyoung Kim all submitted ...
  • Grade 6 Student Benjamin Lee is Nationally Ranked Fencer
    News • 9/20/2013
    Grade 6 student Benjamin Lee competed at a national Super Youth Circuit fencing tournament in Texas at the end of August. He placed 6th out of 51 fencers in the U12 competition and 10th out of 62 fencers in the U14 competition. He is currently ranked 11th in the country for his age bracket and is l ...
  • Varsity Volleyball Gators Go All the Way to Final in Major Tournament
    News • 9/17/2013
    Annie Wright Upper School Varsity Volleyball team finished second place out of 32 teams last weekend at the competitive SunDome Tournament in Yakima. The team was first in their bracket, with five wins and one loss, before moving on to defeat Grandview 25-16, 25-18 in the quarter finals and Cascade ...
  • Schuver Family Trains Their 8th Puppy to be a Guide Dog
    News • 8/26/2013
    Meet Clark, the newest addition to the family of Day School Director (Grades 6-8) Bill Schuver. Clark is a golden retriever puppy in training for Guide Dogs for the Blind, ;a non-profit organization that breeds dogs for service and ;matches guides with humans in need free of charge. More than ten ye ...
  • Clare Jeong Wins Korean Press "Most Inspirational Athlete of the Year" award
    News • 6/4/2013
    Last Wednesday, Korea Sports USA news media recognized Red Tie Class of '14 student and incoming ASB president Clare Jeong as “the most inspirational athlete of the year.” One winner of this award is chosen each year, and Clare is the fifth recipient of the award. Previous winners includ ...
  • Elite Colleges to Present to Area Families at Annie Wright
    News • 4/25/2013
    Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Rice University, and the University of Chicago will present an information session to families from the greater Seattle-Tacoma area on Wednesday, May 8, at 7:30 pm at Annie Wright Schools’ Kemper Center. The event will open in the Kemp ...
  • Professional Development for AWS Teachers at PLU
    News • 4/22/2013
    On Thursday April 18, eight members of the Annie Wright faculty attended the fourth annual Jolita Hylland Benson education lecture at Pacific Lutheran University. The group started the evening with dinner at the home of Dr. Krise, the new president of PLU. Due to a family emergency, the scheduled sp ...
  • Annie Wright D.I. Team Gets Gold in State Competition
    News • 4/9/2013
    Annie Wright Day School sent four teams to the Washington State D.I. Team Creative Problem Solving Tournament, where 72 teams gathered from around the state ;at Eastmont Junior High in East Wenatchee on Saturday, April 6. ; The Elementary Level "In DIsguise" team, The Awesome Armadillos, managed by ...
  • Annie Wright Gets New 3D Printer
    News • 3/28/2013
    Thanks to the incredible generosity of the AWSPA, Annie Wright Schools is now equipped with its very own 3D Printer, a device that will print three-dimensional objects using a safe plastic filament. This MakerBot Replicator 2 will help students and faculty alike extend the authenticity and impact of ...
  • Red Tie Jenny Wen Chosen as Flag Bearer for State Legislature
    News • 3/21/2013
    Red Tie Class of ’14 student Siruo “Jenny” Wen was chosen to carry the Washington state flag at the opening of the House of Representatives legislative session in Olympia yesterday, March 20. Jenny, who is from China and new to Annie Wright Upper School this year, is taking part in ...
  • Grade 8 student Alana Ponce on Gold Medal-Winning National Water Polo Team
    News • 3/21/2013
    Grade 8 student Alana Ponce traveled to Geneva, Ohio, this past weekend to participate in the East/West National Water Polo Championships. There were 62 athletes present in Grades 8 and below representing the Mountain, Midwest, Southeast, Southwest and Pacific Northwest zones. Alana was the only ath ...
  • Upper School Celebrates Pi Day
    News • 3/18/2013
    On March 14, the Upper School ASB hosted its Pi (3.14159…) Day event. Students who memorized 25, 50, or 100 digits of pi threw a pie pan of whipped cream at an ASB (student government) or faculty member. The rewards were pieing one ASB member for memorizing 25 digits, one faculty member for ...
  • AWS Faculty Uses Fund-a-Need Gift to Learn about Cutting Edge Technology in the Classroom
    News • 2/22/2013
    On February 13 eight AWS teachers attended the conference "Making Best Use of iPads and Other Cutting-Edge Technology Tools in the WORLD LANGUAGE CLASSROOM." The teachers were Meg Billings, Jenny Graupensperger, Emily Stokes, Maria Kupper, Carolyn Lyson, Nora de Sandoval, Angelica Calcote and Angela ...
  • AWS Musicians Perform at Northwest Honors Ensemble Festival
    News • 2/20/2013
    The Washington Music Educators Association held its annual All-State/All Northwest Conference and Honors Ensemble Festival over Presidents' Day weekend in Portland and Vancouver. Annie Wright was represented by Upper School cellist Savannah Langworthy and Middle School violinists Lauren Thomas and A ...
  • Nine Annie Wright teachers attend conference on differentiated instruction
    News • 1/4/2013
    Nine teachers from Annie Wright Schools attended a conference called "Meeting the Needs of All Learners Through Differentiated Instruction." The conference, sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools, was held at the Bertschi School in Seattle on December 3. The teachers ...
  • Annie Wright becomes first in South Sound to have a Middle School Chinese language program
    News • 12/21/2012
    Beginning in fall 2013, Annie Wright Schools will offer Chinese language instruction to Middle and Upper School students. The school is the first in the South Sound to offer a Middle School Chinese Program. ;Annie Wright Schools will continue to offer Spanish for students in Preschool-Grade 12, and ...
  • Seventh Grader Molly Bryant features in Festival of Trees
    News • 11/29/2012
    Seventh grader Molly Bryant brought her creativity and design skills to the 26 th Annual Mary Bridge Festival of Trees , which takes place this weekend at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center. Molly, who three years ago became the youngest designer in the Festival’s history, chose a ...
  • 6th Grader William Poulsen Holds Four National Titles in Inline Skating
    News • 8/30/2012
    Along with his National Champion title for his individual division, William received gold medals and national championship titles with team mates in the 4 boy relay, 4 mix relay and 2 mix relay. Congratulations to William!
  • Yellow Ties Find Key to the School
    News • 5/24/2012
    As seniors prepare for graduation and their eventual departure from the school, they hide an old skeleton key to the school for juniors to find as their first step to becoming seniors. Today, senior skip day for the Blue Tie Class, upper school students arrived to find the senior stairs blocked with ...
  • Samantha Weeks and Margaret Taylor Move on to State
    News • 5/18/2012
    On May 17th Annie Wright freshman Samantha Weeks and senior Margaret Taylor competed in the district tennis tournament. Both qualified for districts as a result of placing 2nd and 4th respectively at the League tournament the prior week. Both players finished with identical positions in the district ...
  • Paulina Davison '14 places 3rd in state solo and ensemble competition
    News • 5/2/2012
    On Saturday, April 28, 2012, two members of the Annie Wright School Upper School Orchestra traveled to Ellensburg to participate in the Washington Music Educators Association State Solo and Ensemble Competition having won the Commencement Bay regional division on March 17. For each instrument there ...
  • Tessa Thurman '14 earns 3rd place overall in regional science competition
    News • 4/30/2012
    Six members of the Annie Wright Upper School science team competed at the South Sound Regional Science Fair at PLU on Saturday, March 24. More than 100 high school students from Pierce and Thurston Counties participated. AWS sophomore Tessa Thurman '14 received third place overall in the Behavioral ...
  • Ninth Grade Class Goes to the Dump
    News • 4/26/2012
    On Wednesday, April 25, Annie Wright's ninth grade class took a field trip to the dump. As a part of the ninth grade Global Studies course taught by Bridgette McGoldrick , students have been studying consumption and its role in the larger materials economy. As a part of this unit, they have explored ...
  • DI teams shine at state tournament
    News • 4/2/2012
    Congratulations to the Annie Wright teams that qualified and participated in the Destination ImagiNation (DI) creative problem-solving state tournament at Eastmont Junior High in East Wenatchee on Saturday, March 31. Among the eighty-two teams competing, Annie Wright's elementary level "Solar Stage" ...
  • Clare Jeong '14 places 8th in world at Innsbruck 2012 Youth Olympic Games
    News • 1/23/2012
    AWS sophomore and champion speed skater Clare Jeong '14 is headed back to Tacoma, WA from Austria where she represented the USA (the only USA representative) in two free skate competitions at the 2012 Innsbruck Youth Olympics . She placed eighth in the world in the 3,000 meter race and 13th in the M ...
  • Fifth graders William and Christian Poulsen take the gold at multi-state in-line skating competition
    News • 1/16/2012
    AWS fifth grade twins William and Christian Poulsen competed in an eight state in-line skating competition January 14-16, each bringing home multiple medals. The boys earned four medals in relays - two gold and two silver - including a gold medal they won together in the two-person relay. They also ...
  • Head Search Update
    News • 10/22/2009
    A Message from Jeff Greene, Chair, Head Search Committee: Last week the Annie Wright School community hosted initial visits for three candidates who are interested in the position of Head of School, which will begin this next academic year. On October 27, 28 and 29 we will host initial visits for fi ...
  • Head Search Update
    News • 10/9/2009
    A Message from Jeff Greene, Chair, Head Search Committee: Earlier this year, Annie Wright Board Chair Warren Martin announced the search for the next Head of School to begin on July 1, 2010. The Head Search Committee is now in the process of evaluating candidates for the Head position.
  • Fifteen Upper School Girls Earn IB Diplomas
    News • 8/27/2012
    Annie Wright Schools proudly announces that 15 graduates from the Upper School’s class of 2012 have been awarded the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma. This impressive achievement marks the completion of a two-year program that involves academically challenging coursework with co ...
  • Tacoma Students Explore Local Issues and Opportunities Through Realize Tacoma Program
    News • 7/24/2025
    Last week, students from Annie Wright Schools and Tacoma Public Schools came together for Realize Tacoma , a no-cost, week-long residential program designed to connect students with their city through immersive, community-based learning. A joint venture between Tacoma Public Schools, Chief Leschi, a ...
  • Spaces Built to Last: 100 Years on Tacoma Ave
    News • 4/14/2025
    As Annie Wright Schools continue to grow and evolve, our campus is transforming to reflect this progress. From enhancing academic spaces to creating state-of-the-art athletics and arts facilities, our commitment to improving our physical environment underscores our dedication to shaping the next 100 ...
  • Rex Bates: Celebrating A Legacy of Dedication and Impact at AWS
    News • 2/19/2025
    When learning the histories of schools, one inevitably finds the well-known founders and benefactors, iconic teachers, and successful alumni.   These individuals are, undoubtedly, important to the story of the school. However, in almost all instances, the histories overlook critically important ...
  • ParentEd Talks Series Kicks off with Jonathan Haidt on October 15!
    News • 9/30/2024
    The Anxious Generation: Essential Strategies for Rewiring Childhood ParentEd Talk with Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and author of “The Anxious Generation” Tuesday, October 15, 2024 12:00 - 1:00 pm PT Childhood itself has gone missing. As childhood migrated online in the early 2010 ...
  • AWS Students Are Traveling the Globe!
    News • 12/2/2022
    Dear AWS Community,   Fundamental to the AWS experience is an exploration of the local community and wider world.  Such exploration expands a student’s perspective and ensures they have context to understand their learning.  For this reason, having students venture beyond our br ...
  • How Can IB... a Thinker?
    News • 11/9/2022
    Welcome to our 2022-2023 community gathering series! Each month will focus one of the ten IB learner profile attributes. Speakers will volunteer to engage with our school community about what it means to live out that particular attribute. This month, we are focusing on the characteristic "thinker." ...
  • How Can IB... Open-Minded?
    News • 10/6/2022
    Welcome to our 2022-2023 community gathering series! Each month will focus one of the ten IB learner profile attributes. Speakers will volunteer to engage with our school community about what it means to live out that particular attribute. This month, we are focusing on the characteristic "open-mind ...
  • 2021-2025 Strategic Plan Update: Building a Culture of Belonging
    News • 5/2/2022
    The second strand of our  2021-2025 Strategic Plan  continues the ongoing work of "Build[ing] a Culture of Belonging Through Diversity, Equity &; Inclusion." As outlined in the Strategic Plan, the goal of this strand is to support the development of a culture "where members feel a sense of ...
  • 2021-2025 Strategic Plan Update: Engage the Tacoma Community & Beyond
    News • 2/1/2022
    The fourth strand of our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan tasks AWS to "Engage the Tacoma Community and Beyond." Critical to this strand is the belief that a thriving Tacoma is critical to a thriving AWS, and the school has begun to implement several initiatives in support of this work. We are pleased that ...
  • Gator Athletics, December Update
    News • 12/1/2021
    Upper School Cross Country Logan H. ’22 became the first ever Upper School for Boys student to compete at the State Championships. Logan finished 13th at the District Championship race, which qualified him for the State Championship race in Pasco on November 6. Logan and Jazzy S. ’22 bot ...
  • Annie Katica Green to Serve in New Director of Arts Role
    News • 2/18/2021
    Annie Katica Green has been appointed to serve as Director of Arts starting July 1, 2021. Green will serve on the schools’ Senior Leadership Team , reporting directly to Head of Schools Jake Guadnola, and will be responsible for leading the arts programming in this newly developed role. The po ...
  • Jeremy Stubbs to Lead Annie Wright Upper School for Boys
    News • 1/13/2021
    Jeremy Stubbs has been appointed Director of the Upper School for Boys (USB) starting July 1, 2021. Stubbs will serve on the schools’ Senior Leadership Team , reporting directly to Head of Schools Jake Guadnola.  Jeremy Stubbs joined Annie Wright Schools in 2015 as Math and Physics Teache ...
  • Code Switching
    News • 10/30/2020
    Recognizing, understanding and, ultimately, being our fully authentic selves requires a significant amount of reflection and introspection. In that process, some of us find spaces that feel 'natural' and other spaces that require some element of adapting - whether consciously or subconsciously. In f ...
  • Solidarity, Support and Love
    News • 6/2/2020
      The following letter went out to Annie Wright parents, students, faculty, staff, trustees and alumni on June 2. Dear Annie Wright Community, The killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, and countless other victims of racist oppression, mostly black men, speaks to sy ...
  • Virtual Celebrations Mark the End of the 2019-2020 School Year
    News • 6/1/2020
    Annie Wright Schools celebrate end-of-year events as important milestones for students and families. While we wish we could celebrate with our community in person, we still plan to mark the end of the year with online ceremonies in each division. Pick-up and drop-off of final items for Lower and Mid ...
  • Two Exceptional Leaders Join Annie Wright Schools
    News • 5/3/2020
    Annie Wright Schools announced new hires for two key positions on their senior leadership team.   Eireann Corrigan will become Director of Upper School for Girls on July 1. An experienced educator who helps students balance intellectual development with personal integrity and self-worth, Corrig ...
  • Virtual School, AWS Style
    News • 3/20/2020
    Embodying Annie Wright Schools’ pioneering spirit, our strong community has transitioned to distance learning with creativity, determination, warmth and a continuing standard of excellence.  NOT JUST ONLINE LEARNING   Across all grades, and especially for younger students, experienti ...
  • Veronica Sauer ’86 Creates New Portrait of Annie Wright
    News • 3/11/2020
    Veronica Sauer ’86, a Seattle-based artist who retains strong ties with Annie Wright Schools, returned to campus last fall and took a tour of the new Upper School for Boys building. Though originally not a proponent of the boys and girls sharing the same campus, she felt strongly about support ...
  • Investing in Teachers Yields Profound Returns
    News • 12/16/2019
    Annie Wright supports teachers. Why? This community cares deeply about their welfare and professional goals, but there is a more urgent motive. Stellar teachers inspire students, and students are at the heart of our mission and inform every decision, every strategic initiative and every penny spent. ...
  • Class of '19 Gains IB Diplomas & College Credits
    News • 7/11/2019
    The results are in. 23 out of 25 of our  International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma candidates have been awarded the prestigious IB Diploma. Three students earned bilingual diplomas. Annie Wright’s 92% pass rate far exceeds the world pass rate of 77%.   Every Annie Wright Upper School ...
  • Annie Wright Upper Schools Adopt Late Start
    News • 7/10/2019
    Annie Wright Schools announced a new late start for high schoolers four mornings per week beginning this fall. The goals of this schedule change, based on research into adolescent health, are to increase opportunities for sleep and exercise.   After polling Upper School families last spring, An ...
  • Nurse Paula Shares Priceless Moments
    News • 5/6/2019
    In Honor of School Nurse Day on May 8, Annie Wright Schools nurse Paula Coumou shared some priceless moments with students: A Prekindergarten boy told me his ears hurt. When I looked in his ears, there were some very colorful bits of paper. When I asked him what might be in his ears, he denied all k ...
  • Gators...Build Community
    News • 12/18/2018
    Annie Wright students connect with members of their local and global communities, making profound impacts. Through these connections they explore their interests, discover their passions, and learn leadership skills that translate into a lifetime of positive action. Earlier this year, for example, C ...
  • Annie Wright Upper School for Boys Aims to Break Waffle World Record
    News • 12/13/2018
    Annie Wright Upper School for Boys will attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the Tallest Stack of Waffles this Friday, December 14, at their downtown campus on Broadway in Tacoma. Along with opportunities to make history and eat a tower of waffles, the boys are using this exercise ...
  • Margaux Arntson '14 Wins Female Amateur Athlete of the Year
    News • 10/30/2018
    The Tacoma Athletic Commission will honor Margaux Arntson '14 as the Dick Hannula Female Amateur Athlete of the Year during the Distinguished Achievement Awards tonight at 6:00 pm at the McGavick Conference Center in Lakewood. The Awards recognize local athletes for their accomplishme ...
  • Rising Junior Bailey Black wins Ocean Fest poetry contest
    News • 6/14/2018
    Rising Junior Bailey Black won first place in the high school poetry contest at Ocean Fest , a festival that brings the community together through arts, sciences and water play to celebrate the ocean, tell about its threats and inspire people to protect it. Bailey, whose poem is titled " The Oc ...
  • Ann Dicks to succeed Vicki Ball as Director of Lower School
    News • 1/16/2018
    After a rigorous search process, Annie Wright Schools have named an internal candidate, current Assistant Director of Lower School and Counselor Ann Dicks, to the position of Director of Lower School, beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.   Mrs. Dicks, who has 20 years of experience working i ...
  • Capital Campaign Exceeds Goals
    News • 8/29/2017
    Annie Wright Schools’ capital campaign to enhance athletic facilities and grow the endowment surpassed its goal of $12 million by nearly 50 percent, enabling greater scholarship opportunities along with fulfilling these two essential strategic goals.   From Strength to Strength: The Campa ...
  • Annie Wright Wins Verizon App Challenge
    News • 1/9/2017
    A team of six students from Annie Wright Middle School designed an app which won Best in State for Washington in the Verizon Innovative Learning App Challenge . A nationwide contest in which middle and high school students develop concepts for mobile apps that solve a problem in their community, the ...
  • Meet Mike Finch, New Director of Athletics at AWS
    News • 5/3/2016
    Annie Wright Schools are pleased to announce the appointment of Tacoma athlete and educator Mike Finch to the position as Director of Athletics. Mr. Finch, who graduated from Wilson High School in 2002 and Harvard University in 2006 with a BA in statistical psychology, has worked in finance and was ...
  • Annie Wright Plans Enhanced Facilities for Sports and Play
    News • 10/24/2014
    Annie Wright has exciting plans to enhance our athletic facilities, including adding an additional gym and converting our current field to an all-weather turf field. These improvements will address our Board of Trustees' strategic priority to improve our athletics program and will also pro ...
  • AWS Rocks You Go Girl Race
    News • 9/16/2013
    Thunderstorms couldn't dampen the spirit, drive and talent of Team Gator in yesterday's You Go Girl race, which benefits the Pierce County YWCA. Some 30 Annie Wright faculty, staff, parents, students, alumni and board members ran in the 10K and Half Marathon races, and our results were most impressi ...
  • Seniors Attend PLU Holocaust Conference with New Program for High School Students Designed by Mrs. McGoldrick
    News • 3/15/2013
    ; Annie Wright's Yellow Tie senior class attended Pacific Lutheran University’s Annual Powell-Heller Conference for Holocaust Education today. The conference, now in its sixth year, took place March 13-March 15. The theme of this year’s conference was “Empowerment,” and the g ...
  • Masque Players Receive Impressive Accolades at Theatre Conference
    News • 2/19/2013
    Our Upper School Masque Players traveled to the Regional Theatre Conference in Olympia on the weekend of February 8. ;The conference adjudicators (teachers/professionals outside of AWS) offered the following impressive accolades: In her solo work, Green Tie ; Shirley Wang ;cultivated " Lovely emotio ...
  • Annie Wright Celebrates 100th May Day
    News • 6/7/2012
    This year marked the 100 th Anniversary of Annie Wright Schools’ most treasured tradition, May Day. During the weekend of Friday, June 1 st through Sunday, June 3 rd Annie Wright students, alumni, family members, friends, faculty and staff joined together to celebrate this milestone. As the ra ...
  • Annie Wright sophomore Katrina Kalamar '14 serves in Olympia
    News • 2/8/2012
    Annie Wright sophomore Katrina Kalamar '14 was selected to serve as a legislative page at the Capitol in Olympia, WA on January 9-13, 2012. Katrina was sponsored by Rep. Cathy Dahlquist, R-Enumclaw. From the Washington House Republicans Web site : Pages are required to deliver important documents a ...
  • Scholar Search Weekend 2012
    News • 1/31/2012
    Scholar Search Weekend (SSW) was held at Annie Wright on Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28, 2012. SSW is an annual admissions event open to girls in grades eight through ten who are interested in attending the Annie Wright Upper School. This year, an impressive group of 57 candidate studen ...
  • Introducing New Scholarships to Inspire Curiosity and Exploration at Annie Wright Schools
    News • 1/5/2026
    Annie Wright Schools is excited to announce new scholarships for current and incoming Grade 9 Day students and Grade 9-11 boarding applicants. These awards honor learners who are dedicated to personal excellence - some academic, some in other endeavors. At Annie Wright, we celebrate what makes stude ...
  • A World of Learning: 2024–25 Experiential Highlights
    News • 6/4/2025
    The start of summer is a great time to reflect on the achievements and learning of the previous academic year. While it is important to read, write, research, and discuss in classrooms, AWS believes that active engagement in the wider world is also critical to developing well-educated, creative, and ...
  • From Classrooms to the World: How AWS Students Are Learning Without Limits
    News • 12/2/2024
    Can you believe we’re already into December of the 2024-2025 school year? So much learning has already happened, and it’s not just in the classroom! One thing that makes Annie Wright Schools stand out is that Grade 10 trips are included in tuition. While many schools treat travel as an e ...
  • Counselors' Corner: Teens + Technology
    News • 3/30/2023
    Teens and Technology by our Counseling team: Jenna Lott, Matina Hawkins, Devon Morris, Heidi Gillmore As we are all aware, teens and technology is a complicated combination. While it is a critical component of their social connection, the layers of toxicity abound. We as their caregivers want to hel ...
  • From Classroom to Catwalk: Jenny Li ’09 is Chasing Her Designer Dreams!
    News • 2/2/2023
    My career path began while I was still at AWS. I was passionate about art and design my whole life, and the diverse art program offered to me at AWS let me explore this passion. I looked forward to art class every week, and especially loved ceramics and the glass art courses. There, I realized that ...
  • 2021 Upper School Artist Laureate Program Launches
    News • 7/27/2021
    Annie Wright Upper Schools are deeply committed to supporting and nurturing the artistic talent and vision of our students. In turn, we are pleased to announce the selection of our 2021 Visual Artist Laureates. After engaging in a comprehensive application process - including developing a concept fo ...
  • Juneteenth: An American Holiday with Community Ties
    News • 6/10/2021
    Perhaps you noticed when we published the 2020-21 calendar that Annie Wright Schools are recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday. Though not a federal holiday, yet, today Juneteenth is recognized in 48 states and Washington, D.C., and Washington State declared it a paid state holiday in April of this ye ...
  • Annie Wright Schools Parents’ Association Launches Endeavor Grants Program
    News • 2/24/2021
    Annie Wright Schools Parents’ Association (AWSPA) launched the Endeavor Grants program and has announced the inaugural class of recipients. Designed to model the importance of lifelong learning, an essential component of an Annie Wright Schools (AWS) education, Endeavor Grants provide opportun ...
  • Blue Tie Class of 2020 Celebrates College Acceptances
    News • 4/14/2020
    Annie Wright's 44 Blue Ties from the Upper School for Girls have been accepted to 132 colleges or universities in 30 US states, as well as the UK, Canada, and Singapore. These senior students have some really wonderful college acceptances to celebrate. Many are now faced with a tough decision p ...
  • Homegrown Athletes, Annie Wright Style
    News • 12/20/2019
    While student athletes across the country are forgoing school sports to venture into elite club opportunities, even from the youngest ages, Annie Wright Schools are finding ways to keep them close. Never afraid to be counter-cultural, the school is offering an alternative or complement to club progr ...
  • Jake Guadnola Named Next Head of Annie Wright Schools
    News • 11/18/2019
    Annie Wright Schools ’ Board of Trustees announced today their unanimous decision to appoint Jake Guadnola as the next Head of Schools, beginning July 1, 2020. Guadnola will succeed Christian G. Sullivan, who announced in October that he will step down as Head of Annie Wright Schools in June 2 ...
  • Business Students Gain Valuable Experience in Mexico City
    News • 11/19/2018
    After successful trips the last two years to Los Angeles and San Francisco, the Girls' Business and Entrepreneurship Program spent several busy and rewarding days in Mexico City last week, meeting with several businesses and business leaders. The purpose of these trips is to provide studen ...
  • Model UN Petitions for Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Tacoma
    News • 10/6/2018
    This article, by Class of '19 student Allison Fitz, originally appeared in Inkwell , Annie Wright Upper School's student newspaper. Model UN is making changes in the Tacoma community. Since last March, the group has collected signatures to petition to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ ...
  • Iconic Teachers Win Awards on May Day
    News • 6/5/2018
    Upper School math teacher Emily Weston and Middle School music and drama teacher Elizabeth Gettel both won major teaching awards at Annie Wright Schools' annual May Day celebration on June 1. Below are Head of Schools Christian Sullivan's comments on the occasion of their honors. The Beverley B ...
  • Gators Rock Spring Sports
    News • 5/1/2018
    DID YOU KNOW? According to our records, Annie Wright Schools have never won a team State Championship. We have had individual track athletes and tennis players earn State titles, as well as teams finish second in State, but never a team State Championship. Could this finally be the year? See the exc ...
  • Upper School Activities Provide Exceptional Opportunities
    News • 3/1/2018
    During the past two weeks Annie Wright Upper School girls have traveled to Alaska, San Francisco and New York to engage with experts and learn about their chosen areas of interest through the after school activities program. These experiences, heavily subsidized by the school, immerse students in bu ...
  • One hundred Percent of Annie Wright Candidates Earn International Baccalaureate Diploma
    News • 8/27/2013
    Every one of Annie Wright's full International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma candidates has been awarded the prestigious IB Diploma. Our 100% pass rate of Annie Wright girls exceeds the world average pass rate of 78.54%. Annie Wright girls scored highest in physics, mathematics, business and English. E ...
  • DI Team Gets 4th Place in Global Competition
    News • 6/4/2013
    Annie Wright Day School had four teams qualify for the Destination Imagination State Championship in Wenatchee in April. One of them, the AWS Awesome Armadillos, a group of six fifth graders, earned first place in the Fine Arts category, and traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee, for the DI Global Finals ...
  • Middle and Upper School Orchestras Earn Superior Ratings at Stadium Orchestra Festival
    News • 4/29/2013
    On Tuesday April 23, the Middle School and Upper School orchestras took part in the Commencement Bay Music Educators' Association's annual Orchestra Festival held at Stadium High School. This non-competitive performance adjudication involved 22 school orchestras from the Tacoma School District, each ...
  • AWS Orchestras and 17 Soloists Perform at Local Festival
    News • 3/18/2013
    The Upper and Middle School Orchestras both gave excellent performances at the ;Solo and Ensemble Festival at First Creek Middle School on March 9. ;The Adjudicator was clearly impressed with the levels of quality displayed by each group. She gave accurate and helpful feedback while celebrating the ...
  • All Four AWS DI Teams Headed to State Tournament
    News • 3/15/2013
    Three Annie Wright teams placed First at the Rainier Regional D.I. (Creative Problem Solving) Tournament over the weekend of March 9-10. They and the fourth team, which placed a very high second, have all been invited to the Washington State Destination: ImagiNation Creative Problem Solving Tourname ...
  • Students earn Superior ratings, advance to state solo and ensemble competition
    News • 3/20/2012
    The Commencement Bay Music Educators Association held the annual regional solo and ensemble instrumental festival at First Creek Middle School in Tacoma on March 17, 2012. Annie Wright Schools had 18 solo entries plus the Middle School orchestra. From the Annie Wright Upper School, Cassie Nagel '12 ...
  • Middle School Experience Days Focus on Art & Fun
    News • 10/27/2016
    Middle Schoolers chose from this menu of experiences that focus on the arts for their Annual Experience Days October 27 and 28. Architecture of Tacoma &; Seattle Join in a two day architectural tour of Tacoma &; Seattle. On Day One, explore some of the architectural gems of Tacoma, and on Day Two, v ...
  • Welcome New Faculty & Staff!
    News • 8/4/2015
    The high calibre of our new faculty and staff for the 2015-16 school year speaks to the strength and excellent reputation of our school and students.   Diane Carney joins our faculty as the Upper School Learning Support Specialist. After earning a BS in Chemistry from the University of Puget So ...
  • Upper School Students Attend International IB Conference
    News • 9/23/2014
    Reflections from Cynthia Sheu, Blue Tie Class of '16 I went to the International Baccalaureate World Student Conference in order to enrich myself. The conference was held in Montreal, Canada. The conference was five days and went from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Every day, after we had dinner, we would gathe ...
  • Winter Sports Round-Up
    News • 3/3/2014
    MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS' BASKETBALL The Middle School boys' basketball teams had a great season and progressed tremendously in their skill development and teamwork. During practice each player worked hard on footwork, starting, stopping, defensive positioning and technique. The teams improved remarkably ...
  • Middle School Fall Sports Roundup
    News • 11/4/2013
    Varsity Volleyball The Varsity Middle School girls' volleyball team had an enormous amount of growth this season. At the start of the season, the Gators worked hard at serving, controlling the ball and making aggressive attacks. The season opened with the first two matches being a loss, but the girl ...
  • Coach Emil Muses on What Makes a Track Star
    News • 4/29/2013
    Are Track Stars Made or Born? Middle School Track 2013 Yesterday, April 23, 2013, was our first MS Track meet. Out of 32 athletes on the Middle School Track team, 26 participated in different running races. Everyone who participated did his or her absolute best. In the past we saw only a few stars b ...
  • 7 Days, 3 States, 10 Colleges, 42 Girls
    News • 3/2/2013
    California Here I Come! This year's Red Tie Juniors hit the road on their college trip Friday, March 1. They are visiting 10 colleges in Washington, Oregon and California. See updates and photos below from college counsellor Zach Hansen. ; Day 2 We are already nearing the end of day two of the Colle ...
  • AWS-Sponsored Ikkatsu Film Has Full House at The Grand
    News • 2/21/2013
    Annie Wrights Schools sponsored a screening of the documentary Ikkatsu: The Roadless Coast , at the Grand Cinema on Wednesday, February 20, at 7:00 pm. Ikkatsu documents the journey of three professional kayakers as they survey the debris on the Washington coastline from the Japanese tsunamis of 201 ...
  • AWS Students Shine at Martial Arts National Tournament
    News • 7/11/2012
    Congratulations to the following past and present AWS students and AWS mom for their outstanding performances at the Amateur Athletic Union National Tae Kwon Do Tournament in Ft Lauderdale, FL, July 2-7. More than 1,100 athletes competed! Elisabeth Connett (6th grade, Brown one belt, 10-11 yo): Sil ...
  • Middle School Fall Sports Roundup
    News • 10/31/2014
    MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL   It was a great season for volleyball. Twenty-one girls played at the JV level, so we split the girls into two teams, a Grade 6 team and a Grade 7/8 team. Twelve girls from Grades 6, 7 and 8 played at the Varsity level. With only two returning players from last y ...
  • More than 80% of eggs survive the 55th Annual AWS Grade 3 Egg Drop
    News • 4/15/2013
    The 55 th Annual AWS Egg Drop was held on Friday, April 12. Creative designs and excellent packaging were characteristic of the egg-encased polyhedrons. An impressive 19 out 23 eggs survived the 46-foot toss from the tower. ; The annual Egg Drop challenge was initiated in 1958, the year after Sputni ...
  • Blue House Wins Mary Bridge Tree House Collection Competition
    News • 3/29/2013
    The Annie Wright community collected sets of toiletries for the Mary Bridge Tree House TST (Travel Sized Toiletries) challenge. A special thank you to the donors as well as the classes, families, and students who sorted and packed sets of toiletries, especially to Annie's Angels, who donated extra t ...
  • Mr. Schuver's Puppy Graduates to Become Guide Dog for the Blind
    News • 3/18/2013
    Last Saturday, March 16, a very special graduate crossed the stage at a school in Boring, Oregon. Allegra, a one-and-a-half-year-old golden retriever, became the 100 th graduate of Future Vision, an Enumclaw 4-H club organization that raises Guide Dogs for the Blind. Many will remember Allegra from ...
  • Annie Wright Schools hosts movie night at the Grand
    News • 10/18/2012
    Annie Wright Schools is proud to host our first ; Night Out @ the Grand Cinema Sunday, October 21, 2012 @ 4PM Somewhere Between www.somewherebetweenmovie.com ; ; Somewhere Between is a documentary film by Linda Goldstein Knowlton that examines what it is like to come-of-age as a trans-racial adoptee ...
  • Navigating the Middle
    News • 2/26/2010
    Greetings from the Middle School! This is Bill Schuver, Director of the Middle School, writing this week’s letter, and I’d like to share a few thoughts on how we in the Middle School approach our work.
  • Katherine Christensen ’21 Earns National & Regional Recognition for Short Story
    News • 4/14/2021
    Yellow Tie Katherine Christensen ’21 is a national silver medalist in the 2021 Scholastic Art &; Writing Contest for her short story Song for the Fire . She won a regional Gold Key, which automatically enters her into the national contest. The wonderfully vivid story is posted below.  "I& ...
  • Fall Sports Roundup
    News • 11/15/2016
    LOWER SCHOOL   Racing Team The racing team, with 57 Lower Schoolers, competed in three cross country races against five other local schools and two Annie Wright Lower School triathlons comprising swimming, cycling and running. Here are the top runners from each grade:   K Girl – Kati ...
  • Fall Sports Roundup
    News • 11/29/2015
    Middle School Cross Country Middle School Cross Country had a tough but successful season, placing second in Middle Chinook League. Throughout the season, 13 runners trained, studied and recovered on a daily basis. They worked through the pain and sweat during interval, endurance, and tempo running. ...
  • Welcome New Faculty
    News • 9/6/2013
    Annie Wright Schools are happy to welcome (and welcome back) an impressively experienced, passionate and creative new cohort of faculty and staff. Erin Bethel , ; Grade 3 Teacher, joined Annie Wright Schools in 2013. After earning her bachelor's degree in Theatre, (minoring in Music), and later her ...
  • Mr Menke offers a host of specialty camps this summer
    News • 6/4/2013
    June 17-21, half day 9:00-12:00 ; "The Physics and Magic of Toys" Grades 1-7, $200 ; July 8-12, all day ; "Nature Detectives" hiking camp Campers leave the Circle Drive at 8:30 and return around 4:00, traveling in every direction from the school, from Clay Baby beach on Fox Island to Tiger Mountain ...
  • New Faculty Green Team Brings Earth Week Alive at Annie Wright
    News • 4/30/2013
    Our new Green Team provided an array of engagement activities to celebrate Earth Week at Annie Wright. The week started with a green civvies day and special Earth Day chapel on Monday, April 29, and ended on Friday with a Pre-K-Grade 12 community engagement activity in which students, faculty and st ...
  • Lessons from Internet Safety Expert Katie Greer
    News • 4/19/2013
    Katie Greer, a national expert on Internet Safety, spoke with our students in Grades 3 – 12 on Thursday, April 18. Each presentation was age-appropriate and at the same time dynamic and engaging. In the Day School, Ms. Greer’s presentation was a perfect supplement to the technology educa ...
  • Day School Winter Session II Sports Roundup
    News • 4/18/2013
    Middle School Varsity Girls' Basketball The Varsity girls’ basketball team had a great season this year, ending with an all-time record number of wins, a result made even more impressive by playing within a very competitive league. Each player contributed to the success of the whole team. The ...
  • Winter I Sports Roundup - Go Gators!
    News • 2/2/2013
    Upper School Varsity Basketball The girls of the Annie Wright Varsity basketball team have shown great heart and ability so far this year. With the assistance of head coach ;Justin Tate and assistant coach Isaac Tate, the girls’ skills have blossomed. New this year, the girls have been challen ...
  • Introducing... Our Wonderful New Faculty
    News • 8/16/2012
    ; Prekindergarten : ; Becky Kristovich Becky grew up in Tacoma and graduated from PLU with a BA in Elementary Education. A National Board Certified Teacher in Early Childhood Education, she began her career in the Franklin Pierce School District, working with hearing-impaired children in a preschool ...
  • A Conversation with Future Head of Schools Jake Guadnola
    News • 3/23/2020
    Jake Guadnola ’90MS, who will succeed Christian Sullivan as Head of Schools on July 1, reflects on his long history at Annie Wright Schools, how he plans to lead, and what he is excited about for the future.   LI: Tell me about your family history at Annie Wright. JG: My family history be ...
  • Upper School Teams Gear Up for Fall Season
    News • 9/12/2013
    The Upper School boasts talented players and experienced coaches, a combination that will ensure an exciting fall season. Here is a sneak peak: ; Cross Country After a strong finish to last year’s season, the Annie Wright cross-country team is ready for the 2013 campaign. The team looks to con ...
  • College Annies offer words of wisdom to Upper School students
    News • 1/5/2012
    A record number of 22 young alumnae visited the Annie Wright Upper School on January 4, 2012 for the annual College Annies Comeback event. Recent Annie Wright graduates were invited to spend an afternoon with the Upper School students and faculty to field questions about their college experiences. S ...
  • Fall Sports Roundup - Go Gators!
    News • 10/30/2012
    Upper School Varsity Volleyball From the first day of practice, the anticipation of what this team could accomplish together sparked high hopes among the players and parents alike. Team goals were simple – Win League, Win Districts, Win State. Last Friday, October 26, the team paused to celebr ...
  • Red Tie Class of '14 student Tori Smith shares her SPUD project in a Cinco de Mayo Feast for 400 families
    News • 4/22/2013
    The ultimate comfort food will be the star of a Cinco De Mayo feast for 400 students and their families at the Henry Schatz ;Boys and Girls Club on Tuesday, April 30, 2012. This is the second in a series of SPUD dinners presented by the Washington State Potato Commission. ; Annie Wright Junior Tori ...
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