Sami West
Education Reporter
About
Sami West is a reporter covering schools in Seattle and across the Puget Sound region. She’s been on the education beat for over five years and has reported extensively on the countless ways COVID has impacted schools, students, and families. Her coverage has also focused on school finances, special education issues, the importance of early childhood education, and the growing youth mental health crisis.
Before joining KUOW in 2023, she wrote about education for Chalkbeat in Memphis, Tennessee, and two newspapers in Wisconsin. A Midwesterner at heart, Sami originally hails from Minnesota and holds degrees in journalism and English from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
When she’s not attending school board meetings or chasing other education news, Sami enjoys exploring the beautiful trails and abundant breweries of the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dog.
Location: Seattle
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: she/her
Professional Affiliations: Education Writers Association
Stories
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Could Marysville schools have to close amid 'uniquely perilous' financial troubles?
A new state audit is sounding the alarm on the Marysville School District's dire financial state.
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No resource officers, more counselors: How Seattle hopes to improve school safety
Seattle Public Schools students may notice more security staff and mental health supports — but no return of school resource officers— when they return to classrooms next month.
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As Washington ranks among top states for chronic absenteeism, educators strive to reverse trend
As students across Washington head back to school, educators are doubling down on efforts to improve attendance.
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Seattle Public Schools lays out new school closure timeline
Seattle Public Schools families will now learn which 20 elementary schools are slated for closure in October — a month later than officials had most recently promised.
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Districts need stricter cellphone policies, Washington schools chief says
Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has issued new guidance to districts for stricter cellphone policies, as more schools across the state and nation are starting to crack down on smart devices.
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Seattle families brace for school closures. What can we learn from last time?
Seattle's school year is just starting, and it's already expected to be a turbulent one, as students, families, and educators brace for likely school closures. What happened the last time Seattle closed schools — and what can we learn from it?
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Highline schools to be closed a second day after apparent cyberattack
Highline Public Schools will remain closed through Tuesday, after being the target of a suspected cyberattack.
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Potential Seattle school closures revealed in new proposal
Seattle families now know which elementary schools will likely be on the chopping block in 2025.
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'Don't do this to our kids': Hundreds of Seattle parents rally against school closures
Hundreds of parents flooded the Seattle School Board meeting on Wednesday to speak out against proposed school closures.
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'It's literally a skeleton.' Seattle School Board critiques plan for mass closures
Seattle School Board members are pressing district officials for answers on their new proposals to close up to 21 elementary and K-8 schools by next fall.
