Annual Campaign
Dear Soundview Family,
Honoring Our Foundation, Investing in Our Future
This year marks a new chapter for Soundview. We welcome Chrissy Sinclair as our new Interim Head of School with great pride and deep confidence in the foundation and stability we've established together during her 15 years of service leading Soundview. Years of vision, care, and collaboration ensure we continue to build on what has made our school exceptional - our dedication to developing ethical, rigorous, and compassionate citizens and leaders.
Our Enduring Commitments
At Soundview, we are proud of the continued support of our vibrant community, rooted in our shared purpose. We are even prouder of how we strengthen our community and ensure that our school remains solid and strong. Our work is grounded in:
A foundation of trust and relationships
Soundview students are known, seen, and celebrated. With low student-to-teacher ratios and a commitment to strong relationships, every child is supported by adults who understand their strengths and challenges and encourage their growth.
Continuity and stability in curriculum and care
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is our cornerstone of student learning, offering a globally recognized framework that promotes inquiry, originality, and global thinking. Our team of experienced and talented educators provides individualized care and innovative teaching in the classroom.
Access and inclusion as a priority and standard
As an independent school with a deep commitment to inclusion, we work to increase accessibility to a range of families. Our financial aid program, personalized learning support, and lower-than-average tuition reflect this core belief.
Your Support Matters Now
Please make Soundview one of your top three philanthropic priorities. The annual campaign ensures we maintain the high standards of a Soundview education while keeping our school accessible and community-focused. Your donations enhance the experience for your students by funding financial aid, field trips and experiential learning, professional development, and more.
Visit www.soundview.org/make-a-gift or scan the QR code to make your gift or pledge today. Every dollar, every donor, and every act of generosity is a meaningful investment in our school. Be a part of writing the next chapter in Soundview’s story.
With heartfelt thanks,
Shawn Heidel Chrissy Sinclair
Soundview Board President Soundview Interium Head of School
To learn more, see the below data sheet.
2025-2026 Soundview Annual Campaign Data Sheet
Why Your Gift Matters
Annual giving is not about extras; it is what keeps Soundview School vibrant, innovative, and accessible. Soundview is committed to sustainability, operational excellence, and student-centered learning, hallmarks of the small, independent school model you chose for your family. The cost to educate your Soundview student is $21,189, while the average tuition covers $17,777. The difference is made up through our Annual Campaign, which provides 13% of our operating budget. Below are just a few examples of what your support makes possible this year to keep us ethical, rigorous, and compassionate:
$16,000: Invests in ongoing professional development, keeping our educators equipped with current practices in reading, writing, math, social-emotional learning, health, and safety.
$29,000: Maintains our International Baccalaureate program, the global gold standard in education, giving students access to a rich, inquiry-based curriculum that fosters global awareness and original thinking.
$3,800 per class: Funds supplies, field trips, and experiential learning, which are cornerstones of a small-school model that prioritizes hands-on, real-world engagement for every student.
$68,000: Covers campus maintenance and the care of our forest and outdoor learning spaces, which offer students a unique, natural environment for exploration and growth.
$35,000: Supports outdoor school programs for Grade 5-8 students to build independence, resilience, and leadership through immersive, place-based experiences.
$7,500 average per student: Provides need-based financial aid to nearly one in four Soundview students, ensuring access and equity remain central to our mission.
$61,400: Keeps student and teacher technology current and effective, allowing us to remain nimble, adaptive, and competitive in a digital world.
$12,000: Sustains a five-year library refresh plan, ensuring our collection remains inclusive, up-to-date, and aligned with student interests and values.
Affordability + Access: A Small School that Stays Within Reach
Soundview’s tuition is over 10% lower than our nearest peer and 46% below the median of other PK–8 independent schools in the Puget Sound area. We do this on purpose to remain accessible to more families while still offering robust student services, individualized instruction, and a deeply connected community. With rising costs across education, annual giving is essential to maintaining this small, high-impact model without placing the full financial burden on tuition alone.
Sustaining Our People and Our Purpose
At Soundview, 73% of our operating budget goes directly to staff salaries and benefits, a reflection of our commitment to our people. Your gift in this inflationary market ensures our talented and diverse faculty can continue offering personalized, responsive instruction and that we can retain and support them in a competitive regional job market.
Have questions or want to make a deeper impact? Reach out to our Director of Advancement, Ryan Wasserman, to learn more.