Carpe Diem began in the fall of 1991 as the brainchild of two enthusiastic teachers and a small group of parents campaigning for a small independent primary school for their children. Nineteen years later, Carpe Diem maintains a steady enrollment and continues to provide a strong academic and experiential learning environment for students in kindergarten through third grade.

Carpe Diem is ideally located in The Land Trust Building on Bank Road, just one block west of Vashon Highway, and within walking distance to the Vashon Public Library and Ober Park. Our school consists of two classrooms—a large room for indoor games, literature groups, performances, as well as a secure outdoor play yard with a sport court and a climbing fort.

Twice weekly in the afternoon, students and teacher hop on the Metro bus for a short two mile ride down Vashon Highway to Jumping Mouse. Jumping Mouse consists of over two acres of wooded forest and trails, the Jumping Mouse Art Studio, a fenced organic garden, and a large lawn for all school games and parachute play. Jumping Mouse is our location for art projects, environmental studies, gardening, and playing.