Student & Academic Services

Student Lifecycle Programming exists to provide a context for ongoing vocational discernment and development. Part of what we mean about becoming “competent in the study of text, soul, and culture” is that credibility as a practitioner depends on ongoing growth and development over time. To facilitate this work, The Seattle School has gathered data about our student and alumni lifecycles. We use this data to identify the kinds of resources and capacities that our Alumni need in order to thrive vocationally.

While at The Seattle School, students participate in a variety of Lifecycle Programming focused on the needs of students in their first year, middle years, and what we call (S)ending in the year of graduation. Beginning with First Year Frameworks course and First Year Roundtables, and continuing with a variety of Orientations, Workshops, and Respond & Reflect sessions at residencies, students are guided through topics such as: 

• vocational discernment

• orientation to academic requirements at each stage of their program

• reflection on ongoing academic and professional formation

• identifying resources for vocational development

• building personal resilience

• understanding and navigating diverse contexts as a practitioner

• sharing resources and support with others practitioners

• preparing for licensure and job searching

Alongside academic and interpersonal formation, Lifecycle Programming helps learners steward their own vocation and develop rhythms and practices that foster spiritual, relational, and professional flourishing.

The SAS team embodies practices of physical and spiritual care by stewarding community rhythms and programming that help to orient and connect students, families, and employees to one another physically, emotionally, and spiritually throughout the academic year. While The Seattle School is rooted in the Christian tradition, we seek to provide spacious community offerings and spiritual care that celebrate students of all faiths and non-faith alike. When our community gathers for prayer, worship, shared meals, and communion, all are welcome to participate in whatever way honors their own spiritual expression. 

Members of SAS are also available to meet with students and their spouses and partners individually as needed. Please feel free to email them directly to schedule a time to meet (either in-person or via zoom) or just stop by the SAS Office. 

Underrepresentation at The Seattle School is not based solely on demographic statistics but also takes into consideration the values, experiences, and narratives of cultural groups represented in curricular and co-curricular content. We seek to support students who are underrepresented in our programs and/or in the vocations for which our programs prepare students as practitioners. Areas of underrepresentation that we seek to support include (but are not limited to):

• Race/Ethnicity

• Sexual orientation/Gender identity

• Disability/Neurodiversity/Chronic Pain

The Seattle School seeks to support the development and vocational pathways of students who are historically and currently underrepresented in our student population and in their professional fields. Through Student & Academic Services, this includes support for Underrepresented Student Groups as well as direct pastoral support and assistance identifying culturally appropriate and accessible resources for housing, healthcare, financial aid, psychotherapy, spiritual care, and vocational networking through the Alumni Association and beyond. Students can reach out to a member of the Student & Academic Services team for assistance with any of these needs.