Lake Washington schools excel in Washington Achievement Awards

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the State Board of Education (SBE) have announced that 186 schools across the state will be honored with 2010 Washington Achievement Awards. The list of schools includes 12 schools in Lake Washington School District - Eastlake High, International Community School, Juanita Elementary, Juanita High, Kirkland Junior High, Lakeview Elementary, Mann Elementary, McAuliffe Elementary, Mead Elementary, Redmond High, Rockwell Elementary and Rosa Parks Elementary. All award-winning schools will be honored during a ceremony on April 27 at Lincoln High School in Tacoma. 
 

"The hard work of students, teachers and parents shows in this year's Washington Achievement Awards," said Dr. Chip Kimball, superintendent. "For the second straight year, these awards have confirmed what I know and see every day. Our district has great schools, helping all kids achieve and excel." Read more.

Levy election results

Lake Washington School District Proposition 1 on the February 8 ballot is passing with a yes vote over 60 percent. The levy is expected to pass when final election results are certified on February 23. Thank you to voters and to parents, staff and students who volunteered their time to help get the levy passed. The levy measure will relieve district overcrowding by funding the construction of additions to Redmond and Eastlake High Schools, and a new small secondary school that will emphasize science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Read more.

School construction

Because the levy has passed, planning and permitting work has started for the additions to Redmond and Eastlake High Schools and for the new STEM school.The planned location for the STEM school is on a piece of property owned by the district that is next to Alcott Elementary School. The plans for this small secondary school include the use of modular construction, which is both cost effective and can be built on a shorter timeline. This school's classrooms will be needed in the fall of 2012 to accommodate our growing student population.

Construction at Redmond and Eastlake High Schools will begin this summer for their additions. Parents and students will get more information later this spring on specific impacts of the construction projects to parking and traffic patterns, among other items. Community use of the school buildings and site will also be affected beginning this summer through the fall of 2012.

HSPE testing begins next month, MSP testing begins in May

Students in tenth grade will begin mandatory state testing in March by taking the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) in writing, reading, and science. High school students will also take End-of-Course (EOC) math exams during the last three weeks of school (schedule will be determined by each school). EOC math exams replace the HSPE math exam for tenth grade students.

The HSPE ensures that high school students are proficient, or have the basic skills necessary to move on to the next steps in their life. The high school tests are aligned to graduation requirements.

Students in the classes of 2011 and 2012 must pass the reading and writing state exams, a state-approved alternative or an assessment for students in special education AND pass one EOC exam or earn two math credits after tenth grade.

Students in the class of 2013 and beyond must pass the reading, writing, and science HSPE to meet the requirement. Students will also need to pass two end-of-course (EOC) exams in math. Beginning in spring 2011, EOC exams will be given in algebra I and geometry. 

Updated HSPE Exam Schedule: 

• March 15-16 - HSPE: Writing
• March 17 - HSPE: Reading
• April 12 - HSPE: Science
• Last three weeks of school: EOC exams in Math

Students in grades three through eight will enter the testing window for the Measurement of Student Progress (MSP) test on May 2 (for both online testing and regular paper and pencil testing). Junior high students that are currently taking algebra I or higher will also take the EOC exams during the last three weeks of school.

Updated MSP Exam Schedule:

Read more about 2011 state testing.