Parent University

The Bush School’s Parent University was started by Head of School Percy L. Abram in 2016 with the idea to provide access to educational tools and resources not only for Bush parents and guardians, but also for caregivers in the greater Seattle area, while building a strong, nurturing, and resilient community.

Through these efforts, virtual seminars featuring nationally recognized leaders in academia and parent education, as well as in-person conferences, have been mainstays of Parent University throughout Dr. Abram’s tenure.

“Parent University provides parents and guardians a forum for discussion and shared learning about the most pressing issues facing them today,” Dr. Abram said.

This past fall’s conference was held in early October and was chaired by Morva McDonald, vice president of leadership and governance at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). The event brought together parents and guardians to explore key topics in raising children today. Headlined by keynote speaker and psychologist Dan Lerner, the event focused on using positive psychology to foster excellence and success in challenging times. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from expert speakers on adolescent mental health, sleep, resilience, digital safety, suicide prevention, and supporting transgender children in schools, among other critical topics.

Moving into the 2025–2026 academic year, Parent University is focused on more Kindergarten though Twelfth Grade topics readily available and accessible throughout the year for all parents and guardians, and shifting from one main event to an expansion of events—four virtual meetings and two on-campus seminars.