Global Perspective
Global Perspective
We are the only boarding program in the city of Seattle, with both 5- and 7-day options.
80% of students have participated in an international experience before they graduate!
Global learning is deeply integrated into everyday school life. From Ethiopia to Spain to Taiwan, these amazing international experiences prepare students for a diverse and interconnected world.
The Costa Rica trip stands out as an opportunity to experience global culture - this experience changed me and it was an incredible opportunity to grow as a person. That’s what makes Northwest amazing - these incredible opportunities.
A Global Campus
Our diverse urban campus provides unique opportunities for students to engage with classmates from around the world, including cultural, historical, and linguistic diversity. Global perspectives are integrated into the curriculum at every grade level to promote cross-cultural skills and cultural sensitivity.
Study Abroad Program
Every year, Upper School students can participate in exciting Study Abroad programs with our partner schools in Spain, France, and Taiwan, including living with a host family as an exchange student. Best of all: their international classmates later visit Northwest's campus to do the same in Seattle!
International Trips
Every year, students can participate in an international trip (3-4 options each year) and enjoy a two-week immersive international experiences to build language fluency, experience local cultures, and study regional histories. Examples include Spain, Cambodia, Morocco, Costa Rica, Taiwan, Tokyo, and more!
International Partner Schools
AHSNCCU cultivates freedom to explore in the world of learning, autonomy for self-initiated learning, creativity that goes beyond boundaries, and energy that adds excitement to life. Ranked as a top high school in Taipei, AHSNCCU focuses on life beyond the classroom, encouraging students to engage in volunteer work, social care, and international exchange programs.
Our partner school in Spain is a pre-school-pre-university independent school, providing education for approximately 500 students. The education focuses on three key areas: grammar, mathematics and English. Students also take science, history, society and geography classes, which are balanced with a wide range of extra-curricular activities to promote emotional balance.
Dajing High School is a three-year comprehensive secondary school in downtown Shanghai. Founded in 1962, the school is one of the first municipal senior high schools in Shanghai. Dajing High School has approximately 900 students and strives to foster independent thought and strong social responsibility.
Lebawi, founded in 2013, is a not-for-profit serving students in grades 9-12. Ellen Taussig, a Northwest School founder, played a pivotal role in its launch. Students largely come from undeserved urban and rural areas. The Lebawi experience is followed with an intense ELL (English Language Learning) training program, an unique summer school program, exploring geopolitics, Model UN, African studies, theatre, and intercultural studies.
Our French partner school is a small high school offering general and technical secondary education to 500 students, including students attending technical and vocational training. Northwest and Lycée Emmanual Mounier share an exchange program, with French students spending a part of the fall in Seattle, and Northwest students spending a part of the spring in Angers.
Rodwell Learning Center is a well-established secondary college-exam preparatory institution situated in the heart of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Founded in 2012 by a former Northwest School teacher, Rodwell caters to between 375 and 400 students each year, in grades 9 to 12. Rodwell’s academic curriculum emphasizes mathematics and the sciences and is a rigorous program that prepares students for college entrance exams and future career success.
Whether it’s communicating across language barriers, trying new foods, or just adjusting to a different culture, all of us have tried new things - we’ll be better people for it!
During lunch, we talked about foods in Cambodia, how they go to school every day, and what they eat.
My host family welcomed me with open arms and taught me so many new words (a lot of cognates). The language immersion truly does work!