One of two public high schools in Kirkland, Juanita was founded in 1971 as an open-concept program with large class spaces surrounding work centers. In recent years the emphasis has shifted toward a comprehensive approach to prepare students for post-secondary education, with a focus on critical thinking and college readiness. The school has adopted a mission based on acceptance of differences and an innovative spirt to prepare students for the local and global communities. Juanita participates in the Running Start and UW in the High School programs to allow students to earn college credit, and its scores in standard state tests and college aptitude tests are consistently above state averages and comparable to school district averages. One of the few high schools in the region with a swimming pool and diving facilities, Juanita boasts a storied athletic history. The Rebels captured state football titles in 1984 and '85, a girls basketball title in 1984, and were baseball champions in 1985, '87 and '92. The school is also known for its strong arts, drama and music programs.