Community School Elementary in Kirkland was the first choice elementary school in the Lake Washington School District in 1971. Community school is a learning environment of approximately 75 students in three multi-age classes, grades 1 through 6. The school includes three classes: Youngers, Middles and Olders. There are numerous opportunities in the school day for children to interact with the students and teachers of all classes.
Founded by a group of parents in 1994, Discovery is one of three "Choice" elementary schools in the Lake Washington district. It couples parental participation with developmentally appropriate curriculum in a smaller, supportive environment. Housed at Carl Sandburg Elementary on Finn Hill, students are grouped in three multi-aged classes: grades one and two, three and four, and five and six.
Teachers and parents foster a noncompetitve family environment and provide hands-on, real-life lessons. Results of standard state testing show scores that compare favorably with state and district averages
Lakeview Elementary School works with the community collaboratively to foster academic and personal excellence for each student through a compassionate, supportive, and safe environment. The school also provides extra-curricular activities as well as numerous clubs including Art, Book, Chess, Math, and Passport clubs. Lakeview Elementary is known for its high quality of staff, active PTSA, and parenting involvement.
Holy Family Parish School is a co-ed private school. The school covers grades pre-k to eighth. Holy Family Parish School's curriculum is a composite of textbooks, teacher-developed materials, Washington State Essential Learnings, and subject-specific standards. Religion is of primary importance.
Alexander Graham Bell Elementary School in Kirkland offers instruction for children in kindergarten to the sixth grade. Located in the Totem Lake area of North Kirkland, the school possesses a rich heritage of diversity, student success and school-to-home partnerships. The school values the diversity of its students. Nearly 20 percent of the students are non-native English speakers and over 20 countries are represented in its student population. It is also a Blue Ribbon School, in which the school is nationally recognized for its reading, math, writing and tech skills.
Thoreau Elementary aims to empower and enlighten its students by focusing on the basics of writing, reading, science and math, with an emphasis on arts participation and environmental awareness. The school takes advantage of the nearby park's coniferous and wetlands habitats for hands-on educational experiences. The school was modernized in 2003 with new buildings, and a new track, sports field and mini-climbing wall was added in 2010.
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.
The goal of Finn Hill's grade 7-9 curriculum is to provide a safe and comfortable "experiential" learning environment to help students become lifelong learners, ethical and productive members of the community and stewards of the earth. The school is undergoing an extensive modernization project scheduled for completion in the fall of 2011, with six new energy-efficient buildings or "pods" clustered around a central courtyard and commons area. The natural landscape of the 29-acre grounds is being used to create meadows, wetlands and forest surrounding the new buildings. Students are remaining on-site using existing classrooms during construction. Financed by a 2006 bond measure, the modernization includes a new media center and music facility. All structures are designed to make use of natural day-lighting.
State testing on math, reading, writing and science during the 2008-09 school year showed students scoring above state averages in virtually every category, and near school district averages in most. Principal Victor Scarpelli notes that test scores have improved for 11 straight years, and are remarkable for a traditional junior high lacking accelerated learning programs.
Finn Hill also is home to the school district's nature-based Environmental and Adventure School, which will find new class space as part of the modernization.
Lake Washington High School in Kirkland is beginning a new era of excellence, with staff and teachers that share a commitment to honoring the voice and potential of every student member through individual growth, academic challenge and connection to the global community. Lake Washington High offers a wide range of rigorous academic classes, including a partnership with the University of Washington for the college-in-high-school program.
Kirk Peter Elementary School in Kirkland supports an educational approach that is focused on individual development where students are actively engaged in their own education. The school provides grade levels from kindergarten to 6th grade and develops skills that will allow students to continue to grow and learn even after they have left school. Kirk Peter also participates in community activities and works to preserve and enhance the environment.
Franklin Benjamin Elementary School's mission is for every student to be equipped with the skills to be life-long learners. The staff and teachers are committed to providing a vision for families and community member collaboration to provide a nurturing environment that inspires students to reach rigorous yet attainable social and academic goals. Franklin Elementary has a number of clubs and activities for kids including Math Club, Martial Arts Class and Chess Club.