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It has been twenty-six years since Olympia’s “best kept secret” was started in the home of Roxanne Cox. As we sit down together, she describes how she went from homeschooling her two children to creating Sunrise Beach School.

First a registered nurse, Roxanne says she really became interested in education when her son and daughter were young. This led to earning her Montessori degrees and ultimately starting the first state-approved school in Olympia at a private residence. “It wasn’t that I thought we could do so much better at home, but I knew we could do a lot of individualization. I’ve always been very interested in education, and I was interested in working with our own children and a very small group.”

Sunrise Beach School
Roxanne Cox started out homeschooling her own children, and ended up starting a school. Photo credit: Sunrise Beach School

Starting with just her own kids, Roxanne says she was approached by a neighbor who requested she teach her son because his current public school was not a good fit. “For some children it works, but they all need different environments. For some, it would be just perfect, but for him it wasn’t working out and it was so stressful. So, they put him in our school and he flourished.”

Little did Roxanne know that this was just the beginning. Word spread to other neighbors and soon Sunrise Beach School had eight full-time students.

As the children increased in grade level, so did Roxanne’s instruction. She made sure her students had access to everything including music, foreign language and art, through outside teachers she brought in. However, they were quickly running out of room. “At one point, we had 104 students coming for picture day to our home. It was quite a few when everyone came at once,” she explains, laughing. It was time to move the school out of her home after sixteen years.

Sunrise Beach School
With a student to teacher ratio of 8:1, every student gets the one on one support needed to succeed. Photo credit: Sunrise Beach School

Westwood Baptist Church, on Olympia’s west side, had the space to accommodate her growing school. However seven years ago Sunrise Beach School found its perfect home at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, across from Olympia High School on the corner of North Road and Henderson Blvd. With beautiful facilities, a central location and room for growth, it was just right for Sunrise Beach School. Even though they educate with a religious emphasis, Roxanne says they are a non-denominational Christian school, open to everyone.

Their top priority is and always will be keeping student-to-teacher ratios low, Roxanne says. “We’re able to help each individual child with their strengths and not hold them back as well as polish any weak areas that need some help so they flourish and succeed.” With multi-age classrooms, students can work at their own levels. “We’re not trying to push them beyond what they can do, but we’re allowing them to move forward. Learning is fun and that’s the premise we build upon.”

Sunrise Beach School Roxanne Cox
Roxanne Cox couldn’t have done what she did, and continues to do, without the love and support of her family. Photo courtesy: Roxanne Cox

It is these students and their education that keep Roxanne going every day. “I just love meeting all of the families and all of the children and watching them grow and blossom. That cohesion you don’t see elsewhere all the time. It is a different environment where everyone knows everyone.”

Sunrise Beach School is like one big family, Roxanne shares with me. Unfortunately, last May that family received some devastating news.

After a routine mammogram, Roxanne was diagnosed with breast cancer that had already spread throughout her body. Even with yearly mammograms it had gone undetected for up to twelve years. With chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Roxanne has had to take time away from the school she is so passionate about. But, recently she has been able to come back to work part-time and it helps her keep fighting. “Absolutely, you just live for the children you know. Every one of them are family,” she tells me, fighting back tears.

Sunrise Beach School
With a state-of-the-art computer lab, many different enrichment opportunities, and college prep classes offered, students get a varied education. Photo credit: Sunrise Beach School

Even with an uncertain future, Roxanne is staying positive. Growing up with a mom in a wheelchair, who still managed to do everything, gives her the motivation she needs. “I think that’s part of the reason it’s easier to keep going. When you have that kind of a role model, you just do the very best you can and be cheerful about it. We’re just thankful that the Lord has allowed us to come this far and do this much and that we still have these days. It’s a blessing.”

The Sunrise Beach School community has rallied around their founder and inspiration, helping support her during her battle. One way they honor her is by continuing to learn and grow in the special school that Roxanne Cox created from her heart.

Sunrise Beach School operates as a 501(c)3 non-profit Christian school and is tuition based. However, scholarships are available for students. With more classrooms opening, the school will be accepting new students for the 2017-2018 school year.

For more information visit their website or call 360-791-8348.

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