FOCUS Newsletter - Spring 2026
FOCUS: Every ISD Student. Every Day. Spring 2026
Preparing today's student for tomorrow.
Inside this issue:
Microschools Expanded | Aerospace Manufacturing | The Best Parts of Us | New High School Update
- Superintendent Message
- Vision, Mission, Our School Board
- Microschools program expands to middle schools:
- Aerospace Manufacturing
- The Best Parts of Us
- New High School Update
- Join one of Washington’s top districts!
- Budget, Land Acknowledgement, More
Superintendent Message
Spring is a natural time to reflect on student progress, celebrate growth and strengthen community connections as we look ahead to the work underway for next year and beyond.
Keeping Joy at the Center of Learning
In March, we hosted more than 350 district leaders through Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools. Feedback from visiting leaders highlighted a common theme: Our educators create supportive, inclusive learning environments where students feel challenged and inspired to grow. As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, we recognize our teachers for how they bring joy to learning and support student growth.
Planning for Our Students’ Future
As our community changes, we are reviewing enrollment trends, staffing and student data to support students now and in the years ahead. Early elementary enrollment is declining, while high schools are projected to remain overcrowded through 2033. The New High School is an important step forward. We remain committed to strong core instruction and honoring our levy commitments.
Thank You for Your Partnership and Trust
Community support remains essential to the work of our schools. We appreciate your approval of the renewal levies in February and the continued trust you place in our students, staff and schools every day. We also thank our School Board and partners, including our bargaining units, the Issaquah Schools Foundation (ISF), PTSA, Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS) and VOICE mentors, for their ongoing support.
In partnership,
Heather Tow-Yick
Superintendent
Vision, Mission, Our School Board
Vision
All students thrive as they engage in meaningful learning that unlocks their passion and potential to positively impact the world.
Mission
Our students will be prepared for and eager to accept the academic, occupational, personal and practical challenges of life in a dynamic global environment.
From left: School Board President A.J. Taylor, Director Dr. Harlan Gallinger, Director Natalie Anderson, Director Sydne Mullings and Director Matt Coyne.
Microschools program expands to middle schools:
Fostering Curiosity, Collaboration and Real-World Learning
What if part of the school day was built around solving real problems, working in small teams and connecting learning to the world beyond the classroom? That’s the idea behind microschools now underway for some eighth-grade students at Maywood and Pine Lake middle schools.
Early results are promising. Students report stronger engagement and meaningful connections, while teachers see increased persistence and willingness to take risks.
After a successful pilot at Issaquah High School, the district expanded the “school within a school” model to middle schools with support from the Issaquah Schools Foundation (ISF). Students spend two class periods each day in small cohorts engaged in interdisciplinary, project-based learning tied to real-world challenges.
At Maywood, the focus blends English language arts and science with a core theme of sustainability, water and the Salish Sea. Pine Lake also focuses on sustainability and integrates social studies and science, and connection to Sammamish’s Climate Action Plan.
Cohorts remain intentionally small, about 28 students at Pine Lake and about 50 across two groups at Maywood, allowing for deeper relationships and collaboration.
Early results are promising. Students report stronger engagement and meaningful connections, while teachers see increased persistence and willingness to take risks.
Real-world experiences, from analyzing sustainability practices at Climate Pledge Arena to studying marine ecosystems at the Seattle Aquarium, bring learning to life for our students.
With plans to expand microschools to all middle schools next year with continued support from the ISF, the district is reimagining how students learn, making it more connected, collaborative and relevant.
Aerospace Manufacturing
Hands-On Learning Takes Flight
In the shop at Liberty High School, students in Tom Peltzer’s Aerospace Manufacturing class listen as Peltzer describes the “work order” they’ll be filling that day. They read through the order, gather the tools they’ll need, and start the project. For the next 80 minutes, the shop is filled with the whir of the sander, the squeal and buzz of drills and other tools, and conversations about the work.
“One of the most interesting and challenging units in this (class) so far has been learning how to weld, especially when first starting with techniques like MIG welding,” senior William Kirk said. “It was challenging because even small mistakes could mess up the entire piece, but that’s also what made it inspiring,” Kirk added. “Over time, I could see my progress, going from messy, uneven welds to cleaner, stronger ones. It felt rewarding to improve a real, hands-on skill that could be useful in real life, not just in class.”
This is the first year Liberty has offered Aerospace Manufacturing as part of WANIC, the Washington Network for Innovative Careers, a cooperative consortium of seven local school districts including Issaquah.
Before becoming a teacher, Peltzer worked in precision-machining and manufacturing in Kent, creating aerospace parts for Boeing, Blue Origin and small shops. One of the most exciting parts of the course is that students are working with real tools, real materials, and real processes in a way that feels meaningful and hands-on, Peltzer explained. “Skills like precision measurement, layout, drilling, riveting, bending metal, reading technical drawings, and following work orders are especially exciting because students quickly see that their accuracy and effort directly affect the final product,” he continued.
“I could see my progress, going from messy, uneven welds to cleaner, stronger ones. It felt rewarding to improve a real, hands-on skill that could be useful in real life, not just in class.”The course builds on skills Liberty students learn in metal fabrication and provides specific skills for manufacturing an airplane. The benefits of the class include:
- Access to a high school summer internship with Boeing.
- Gives students who are applying into Boeing’s manufacturing workforce higher consideration because they have experience learning about some of the manufacturing processes used to assemble airplanes.
- Prepares students to earn a Core Plus certification.
The district is pursuing Boeing pre-employment training certification, which would allow students to apply for a job with a higher entry-level salary; and, a dual-credit opportunity through Renton Technical College’s machining program.
“As a new class and pathway, I think this program has a lot of potential to connect students with future careers while also showing them the value of precision, persistence, and craftsmanship,” Peltzer said. “I also love that this class helps teach students what it is really like to have a job and what it means to be employable, including the importance of being on time, showing up consistently, being reliable, working with others, communicating well, and building the soft skills that are so important in any workplace.”
Students shared:
- One interesting and challenging aspect of the class has been learning to read a work order and recreate an almost-perfect replica of what was requested, said Senior Dylan Belsky.
- Class projects include phone holders, toolboxes and clipboards. “The projects have taught me how to work better with others, and the basis of working with tools commonly used in the aerospace and engineering industries,” said junior Evan Burns, who said he signed up for the class because of his interest in engineering.
“I think this program has a lot of potential to connect students with future careers while also showing them the value of precision, persistence, and craftsmanship.”
- It’s important to have options like this “so that high schoolers can see different fields that exist out there and get hands-on experience that can be put on a resume,” said senior Ellen Liu, who takes the class as a student from a WANIC partner district. “The things learned in this class can be translated into real world, hirable experience.”
Asked how they would describe Aerospace Manufacturing in one word or phrase, students in the course replied: “Precise,” “Productive,” “Fantastic,” “Riveting,” “Hands-on learning experience,” “FUN!”
The Best Parts of Us
The Best Parts of Us
Hands, eyes, feet, smiles, and hair. Ears, teeth, noses, and thumbs. A myriad of close-up black and white images are woven into a mural in the first-floor hallway at Clark Elementary School. Titled “The Best Parts of Us,” the artwork is a schoolwide collaborative piece.
“We have a very diverse student body at Clark Elementary, and we want students to celebrate our differences and similarities.”
Clark fifth grader Soren N. said, “I think it’s cool. We shared the favorite part of our bodies. I picked my legs, because they help me run in soccer."
Fellow fifth grader Arianna D., who chose her eyes because of compliments she receives, said, “I think that it was a fun project to do and I like the meaning of it and the purpose of the art.”
Fourth grade teacher and equity lead Jennifer Giambrone said, “When we were thinking about student belonging at Clark, we really wanted belonging to go beyond just being welcome in the building. They are, of course, but we want every student to know that they are the fabric of the place. The individuals that make up Clark ARE Clark. Not only are they welcome, but we cannot be Clark without each and every one of them.”
At the beginning of the school year as one element of the school’s equity pledge project, Principal Brandy Falk visited each of Clark’s 29 classrooms to read the book “The Best Part of Me,” by Wendy Ewald. Then, Falk took a photo of each student’s self-identified “best part.” The photos were printed and used to create the mosaic-style mural in the main hallway.
"We have a very diverse student body at Clark Elementary, and we want students to celebrate our differences and similarities,” Falk said. “By celebrating how unique all students are, it allows us to embrace and accept everyone – whether you have a special birthmark, a wheelchair, freckles, a hearing device, glasses, etc., everyone has so many things that make them unique. All 700 of us have pledged to be accepting and kind to all."
New High School Update
The long-awaited New High School is officially under construction.
“We are so grateful to be able to both ease overcrowding in our high schools and increase the variety of choices and programmatic opportunities that connect our young people to careers and relevant learning for the future,” Superintendent Heather Tow-Yick said.
"This school will be a place of innovation—strengthening opportunities across all of our high schools and creating clear pathways to college, careers and service.”
- AJ Taylor, School Board President Students, staff, Superintendent, School Board members and local officials gathered at the site last month to celebrate the groundbreaking of the school, which is expected to open in the fall of 2027.
District staff are working in coordination with staff from the City of Issaquah and the City of Sammamish, as well as with Skanska and Bassetti Architects as the construction timeline moves forward. Regular updates will continue to be provided to the district’s Capital Projects Oversight Committee, during School Board meetings and to the project page on the district website at isd411.org/new-high-school-2501.
The school is primarily funded through voter-approved measures and will serve approximately 700 students in an 83,600-square-foot facility with 26 classrooms, including five pathway labs and four science/flex labs. The design features innovation and collaborative learning hubs, a commons area, studios/design lab, outdoor learning spaces, a library research space and a student market. Additional elements include $5.8 million in roadway improvements to 228th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 43rd Way, site upgrades such as tree replanting and enhanced stormwater management, a parking garage and a multipurpose field with a track for future community use.
Join one of Washington’s top districts!
Join one of Washington’s top districts!
We welcome K–12 students and families from inside and outside our district. Our schools provide a strong academic foundation and help all students thrive by supporting their well-being. Explore rigorous coursework, connect through clubs, activities and sports, and choose flexible options including part-time or full-time online classes and childcare. Learn more about how ISD helps students discover their passions and prepare for life’s challenges.
Enrollment is open now. Visit isd411.org/enrollment
Budget, Land Acknowledgement, More
Balancing Enrollment, Budget and Student Needs for 2026–27
As ISD prepares for the 2026–27 school year, enrollment trends and budget planning guide decisions supporting students, staff and schools. Enrollment in early elementary grades continues to decline, driven by lower birth rates, housing costs, slower local growth and broader economic factors. At the same time, our high schools remain overcrowded and are projected to stay above capacity through at least 2033.
Enrollment shifts and rising costs are driving about $15.8 million in planned cost savings for next year, with a focus on protecting classrooms and student supports.Fewer students will result in fewer staff in central office, operations and schools, while maintaining strong, equitable student supports in classrooms.
Our annual budget development process includes approximately $15.8 million in proposed cost savings, presented to the School Board on April 9. Staffing adjustments will occur primarily through attrition and reorganization, with administrative and central office reductions prioritized to protect classroom instruction. When comparing investments, our district ranks lowest among surrounding districts and near the bottom statewide in administrative staffing costs, while ranking among the highest in Washington for investment in classroom instruction and staff.
During the budget development process, we have received questions about using capital project funds for other purposes, specifically the New High School. It is important to note it is funded through voter-approved measures and cannot be used for general education staffing or programs. The New High School will help relieve overcrowding, improve safety and learning environments and expand access to programs across all district high schools.
We will continue reviewing revenue and programs to ensure alignment with student needs and funding. Our “start, stop, continue” process will guide budget decisions to protect core instruction, prioritize strategic investments and sustain voter-approved levy programs and roles.
Why am I receiving this newsletter? The purpose of this newsletter is to highlight and communicate what is happening within the Issaquah School District with the entire community. This is a way to reach all residents in our district, including households that do not have school-age children. This newsletter helps showcase the programs, activities and operations that educate and support our students. We use bulk mailing lists to ensure the least expensive way to distribute the newsletter.
Nondiscrimination Statement
The Issaquah School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge that we are on the Indigenous Land of Coast Salish peoples who have reserved treaty rights to this land, specifically the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and Duwamish. We thank these caretakers of this land who have lived and continue to live here since time immemorial.