School Programs at the zoo

School-to-Zoo Funding

Offered to King County Schools (Grades K-12)
Available September through April

Thanks to the passage of the King County Parks Levy in 2007, free admission and reimbursed bus transportation are available to all King County (including Seattle School District) schools with a minimum of 30% of their students receiving free or reduced-rate lunches or a comparable level of scholarship. School-to-Zoo participants can register for a School-to-Zoo program, a Zoo Experiences for Students and Teachers (ZEST) program or can visit the zoo on their own as a self-guided group.

School-to-Zoo Programs (includes Forest Explorers)

Offered to All King County schools (Grades K-5)
Available at late September through April, Tuesday through Friday

These staff-guided programs are free of charge (with zoo admission) to King County schools. School-to-Zoo programs are aligned with the NSRC/STC science kits and other science curriculum adopted by Seattle Schools and are designed to enhance your science lessons.  See School-to-Zoo Funding above to see if you qualify for free admission and bus reimbursement.

Zoo Experiences for Students and Teachers (ZEST)

Offered to all schools (Grades K-12)
Available October through April, Tuesday through Thursday

ZEST docent-guided programs are free of charge (with zoo admission) to all schools. These programs involve students in explorations of different areas of the zoo and conservation issues through on-grounds zoo explorations and, in some cases, a classroom component. These interactive experiences are closely tied with Washington’s Science Standards. See School-to-Zoo Funding above to see if you qualify for free admission and bus reimbursement.

Registration            

Ready to register for your trip to the zoo?  Simply click here to open the registration form.  Once you have filled out the form, mail it, fax it or deliver it yourself to the Education Center at Woodland Park Zoo.  Make sure to get your application in early!  A minimum of three weeks advance notice is required for booking your zoo visit.  Don't forget to have your principal sign your application form, it cannot be accepted without that signature!

Preschool and Kindegarten Programs for Schools

Offered to all kindergartens, preschools, daycare centers, and other classes with at least 10 children ages 3 to 6.  Available on weekdays February through April.

These 45-minute to hour-long classes combine a classroom experience with a visit to an area of the zoo. Groups must be accompanied by at least one adult for every three children and will be taught in groups of 10-18 children.  Preschool and kindegarten programs cost $7.75 per person this fee also includes admission to the zoo. Learn more here >>.

Homeschool Days

Offered to all homeschool groups
Available each fall

Homeschool students and parents are invited to Woodland Park Zoo for a day of hands-on workshops and activities. There will be self-directed, hands-on discovery stations set up in the classroom and other more structured learning opportunities for various ages. Learn more here >>