Principal's Message

Dear Thorndyke Families,
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! I hope you and your loved ones enjoyed a summer filled with rest and meaningful time together. As we begin a new school year, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving as your Principal and to partner with you in supporting the growth and success of every scholar at Thorndyke Elementary School.

At Thorndyke, we are committed to excellence in both academics and social-emotional learning. Our goal is to create a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where every scholar feels valued and inspired to achieve their best. We celebrate the many cultures, languages and backgrounds that make our school such a vibrant and welcoming place to learn.

Last year, Thorndyke Elementary was honored by the Washington State School Recognition Program for demonstrating significant growth in supporting scholars from one or more racial or ethnic groups. This recognition is especially meaningful, as only 16% of schools statewide received this distinction. It reflects the hard work of our scholars, the dedication of our staff and the strong partnerships we share with families and our community.

I would also like to extend a special welcome to families who are new to the Tukwila School District. Whether you are joining us from within the district or from another city, state or country, we are excited to have you as part of our school community. We know that transitions can sometimes feel overwhelming, please know we are here to support you every step of the way.

Our instructional focus this year remains centered on strengthening scholars’ learning in the core academic areas of English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. We will continue to use data to guide instruction, provide targeted support and ensure every scholar is challenged at their level. Equally important, we will emphasize restorative practices and social-emotional learning so scholars grow not only as learners but also as compassionate and responsible community members.

I am confident that 2025–2026 will be a year of continued growth, success and community engagement. Strong partnerships between school and home are essential and I encourage you to stay connected with your child’s teacher and with our school administrative team. Together, we can ensure the best possible outcomes for every Thorndyke scholar.

You can meet our staff and learn more about the year ahead during our annual Ice Cream Social on August 28th from 4:00–6:00 PM. We hope to see you there!

If you have any questions or need support, please do not hesitate to reach out. I look forward to working with you to make this an outstanding school year.

Respectfully,
Michael Croyle
Principal