Sami West
Online Editor/Reporter
About
Sami West joined KUOW’s web team as an Online Editor/Reporter in 2025.
Before that, she spent two years covering education at KUOW, reporting extensively on mounting financial challenges in Seattle Public Schools and districts across Washington state. Her coverage also centered on growing concerns about violence in and around schools, teacher shortages, the youth mental health crisis, and the countless ways Covid continues to affect schools and families, among other topics.
Previously, she wrote about education for Chalkbeat in Memphis, Tennessee, and two newspapers in Wisconsin.
A Midwesterner at heart, Sami originally hails from Minnesota and holds degrees in journalism and English from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Languages Spoken: English
Pronouns: she/her
Professional Affiliations: Education Writers Association
Stories
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New Seattle schools fiscal plan: No closures next year, but 'nothing is off the table'
The Seattle School Board on Wednesday gave its stamp of approval to a financial stabilization plan that includes no school closures for next school year.
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Why are grades up and test scores down in Washington state? UW study examines grade inflation
Students in Washington state are getting better grades these days — but that might not be cause for celebration.
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Seattle students push city to boost mental health funding in schools
The Seattle City Council is set to approve it's 2024 budget this week, and students are hopeful it'll include $20 million to expand mental health resources in schools across the city.
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Seattle families are relieved — but still worried — now that school closures are off the table next year
With Seattle schools spared from closures next school year, some parents and educators breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday — at least temporarily.
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Seattle will close schools… eventually
Seattle Public Schools has thousands fewer students enrolled than 5 years ago. That
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Seattle Schools hits pause on timeline to close several schools
No Seattle schools are on the chopping block for the coming school year, but they might be in the fall of 2025.
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A year after a shooting at Seattle's Ingraham High, students remain traumatized — and they want change
A year ago, a shooting at Ingraham High School left a student dead and an entire community reeling from a tragedy that has become all too common in schools across the nation. Ingraham students say that despite the district's efforts, they continue to grapple with trauma and want to see changes.
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School consolidation, safety, and budget gaps could cause a shakeup on Seattle school board
Four of the seven seats on Seattle's school board are up for grabs, and only two incumbents are running for re-election, meaning the board will get at least two new members after November 7. KUOW education reporter Sami West is here to explain some of the biggest issues candidates will have to address after the election.
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Student homelessness in Seattle schools jumps by a third in 2023
The number of Seattle Public Schools students experiencing homelessness has spiked over 30% in the past year.
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How much should the Seattle School Board oversee finances? District 2 hopefuls disagree
Incumbent Seattle School Board member Lisa Rivera Smith is facing a challenge from Christina Posten for her District 2 seat in the upcoming general election.
