The Valley School, a non-profit educational institution, was founded in 1985 by Patricia Overy. It is approved by the State of Washington and affiliated with the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools. Within 10 years the school expanded from a one-room preschool of 18 children to a complete elementary school of 100 children. The campus, located in an old Madison Valley orchard, has experienced an equally impressive growth and now occupies eight city lots with enlarged classrooms, library, art room, meeting hall, and administrative building. The growth of the campus has not significantly changed the population the school serves or its mission. Enrollment remains at approximately 100 children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, a size that supports its child-centered learning environment. The easy interaction between grades and careful communication between teachers and administrators are essential to the school's practices and principles.